HEARTLAND has gone into a second printing—and she got a glow-up to go with it. Thanks for reading, everyone! Without you, this wouldn’t be possible. The new books should be in stores soon. Go and get ‘em!

Argentina might have won this game, but Cape Verde won the world’s heart. 🇨🇻❤️⚽️

In Cape Verde vs. Argentina, we may be witnessing one of the greatest upsets—not in the history of the World Cup, but in the history of sports. 🇨🇻⚽️🇦🇷

This week's SLR, bringing you great reads by @keithob.bsky.social, @kait.bsky.social, @helenlewis.bsky.social, @joannakakissis.bsky.social & more: mailchi.mp/sundaylongre...

☀️ The Sunday Long Read: Conspiracy, Paradise, Peptides

The week's best journalism. Every Sunday.

mailchi.mp

If anyone is wondering how Justin Turner (age 41) and Robinson Cano (age 43) are doing, they are just fine, thank you. They are playing in the Mexican League and last night represented Las Estrellas in the Mexican League all-star game. Baseball is life. ❤️⚾️❤️

Welp. I wrote something for the New Yorker. And it’s a wild story. www.newyorker.com/news/annals-...

America’s Last Bookie Goes Down

Tim Pughsley built a sports-betting website that moved billions, then the I.R.S. got involved. In the age of FanDuel and DraftKings, where is the line between legal and illegal gambling?

newyorker.com

Do you want to see the place where Larry Bird’s career began in the summer of 1975? Come with me on a journey—into the basement of a house on Ohio Street in Terre Haute. 🏀📚💯 www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8sc5Vm2/

Do you want to see the unlikely place where Larry Bird’s basketball career began in the summer of 1975? Come with me on a journey—into the basement of a house on Ohio Street in Terre Haute. 🏀📚💯 #nba #...

TikTok video by Keith O’Brien

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In celebration of my father and Boston’s love affair with the Scots, I have busted out the jersey that my father bought on a trip to Scotland in 1986. He loved soccer & this jersey. My dad even wore it on Easter Sunday ‘86, with my brother. Thinking of him & cheering on the Tartan Army. ⚽️💙

Attention Last-Minute Father's Day Shoppers! I'll be at Water Street Books this Saturday, June 20, from noon-1p, signing copies of HEARTLAND and CHARLIE HUSTLE. Stop by to pick one up for your dad—or for yourself! Hope to see you at Water Street! @stefwaterstbook.bsky.social

You know what’s the fakest thing about this stupid AI-generated photo that is currently circulating on the internet? Bird didn’t wear #33 on the one day he played with the ISU baseball team in ‘79. He wore #24. I know this because I’ve held his jersey in my hands. AI is the worst…

What do I have in common with former major league pitcher Bronson Arroyo? Maybe only one thing: that we will be appearing together at the Earfull Series in Watertown, Mass., on Tuesday, June 23. Hope to see you there! 🏀📚⚾️ www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8sqgwfB/

What do I have in common with former major league pitcher Bronson Arroyo? Maybe only one thing: that we will be appearing together at the Earfull Series on Tuesday, June 23. At last report, standing r...

TikTok video by Keith O’Brien

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I’ll be at two events with Todd Smith, discussing his new book, RELEGATED. Join us this Sun, June 14, at 3p at the Silver Unicorn Bookstore in Acton, Mass., or this Mon, June 15, at 7p at the Brookline Booksmith. Hope to see you there! ⚽️📚🏀 www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8sysqr8/

I’ll be at two events in the days ahead with Todd Smith, discussing his new book, RELEGATED. Join us this Sunday, June 14, at 3p @The Silver Unicorn Bookstore in Acton, Mass., or this Monday, June 15,...

TikTok video by Keith O’Brien

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My Friday newsletter for @niemanstoryboard.org: Time to get outside. Plus: @keithob.bsky.social @jlussenhop.bsky.social @propublica.org @brendanomeara.bsky.social @rusty.todayintabs.com niemanstoryboard.org/2026/05/15/y...

Your next story is outside - Nieman Storyboard

Plus: Tell us your favorite graduation speech, ProPublica's new podcast, and a rejoinder to AI slop

niemanstoryboard.org

Hope to see everyone this weekend at the Gaithersburg Book Festival where I will be talking about basketball, miracles, and Larry Bird. 🏀📚💯

Victor Wembanyama was ejected from an NBA playoff game for throwing an elbow—clearly illegal. But of course, this was how basketball used to be: rough, tough, unpredictable, and violent. #wembanyama #spurs #grizzlies #nba #nbaplayoffs #heartland www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8pkTG8v/

Victor Wembanyama was ejected from a playoff game for throwing an elbow—clearly illegal. But I remember when hard fouls, fights, and even a little chaos were a part of basketball. How about you? #wemb...

TikTok video by Keith O’Brien

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We just expanded the NCAA basketball tournament to 76 teams. Seventy-six! And yes, I have thoughts. #heartland #basketball #nba #marchmadness www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8pjWU99/

We just expanded the NCAA basketball tournament to 76 teams. Seventy-six! And yes, I have some thoughts. #nba #nbaplayoffs #nbadraft #lottery #basketball @Atria Books

TikTok video by Keith O’Brien

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In 1978, when Pete Rose was a free agent for the first time, Ted Turner tried to entice Rose to sign with the Atlanta Braves. It almost worked. Pete loved money—and Ted. But in the end, he chose Philadelphia, a better team. RIP Ted Turner, a man who almost changed baseball history.

The Celtics might have been eliminated, but the HEARTLAND book tour rolls on! I’ll be in Nashua, N.H., this Saturday, May 9, at Balin Books. If you’re in the neighborhood, come out for a fun afternoon discussing basketball, miracles, and Larry Bird. 🏀📚☘️

The great Dan Shaughnessy isn’t playing around this morning: “Make no mistake: Stubborn Joe Mazzulla and the three-chucking Celtics deserved to lose. Never adjusting, they died by the ridiculous shot.” www.bostonglobe.com/2026/05/02/s...

Stubborn Joe Mazzulla and his Jayson Tatum-less, three-obsessed Celtics got the fate they deserved in Game 7 - The Boston Globe

In 80 seasons, the NBA-royalty Celtics had never lost a series in which they led, three games to one. They were 32-0 before sad Saturday.

bostonglobe.com

These are dark days for Boston sports fans. The Super Bowl blowout. The Vrabel fallout. The Cora firing. The sputtering Sox. The elimination of the Bruins. And now, just 24 hours later, the full & total collapse of the No. 2-seeded Celtics to the hated Sixers. Gonna be a long week on WEEI.

The only time he'll know His name is David Allan Coe Is today, apparently. RIP to a country music legend who sang one of its most iconic songs. #neverevencalledmebymyname www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4pZ...

You Never Even Called Me by My Name

YouTube video by David Allan Coe - Topic

youtube.com

Good on you, New York Times. Good on you. This note is in the running for best correction of the year. #mets

“You are a middle-aged woman—did this ring authentic to you???” If this is the sort of straight talk you want from your book podcasts, may I recommend Four Books a Fortnight from @hhharlow.bsky.social, @sampfeifle.bsky.social & @bfbookshop.bsky.social? So fun! 📚💯🙌 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/f...

EP12: Making Choices, Good and Bad

Podcast Episode · Four Books a Fortnight · April 9 · 33m

podcasts.apple.com

Warning: an author attempts to be athletic in this video about his new book. But I mean, maybe I’ve still got it? 📚🏀🙌 #heartland www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8bwcyXy/

Do you know the story about the trick shot that changed college basketball history? Check it out here. And if you like this video, pick up my new book HEARTLAND wherever you get your books. I think yo...

TikTok video by Keith O’Brien

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Incredible praise. Thanks, @garygulman.bsky.social! And yes, as Gary says, please pick up a copy! ☘️🏀📚

@garygulman.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Just finished @keithob.bsky.social Heartland. I’ve read all the books focusing on Larry Bird and this is the most thorough well written account of his pre-Celtic life. Thank you for writing this and for releasing it in a most magical time of year. buy a copy from bookshop.org or listen w/Libro.fm

In the summer of 1975, the history of basketball changed—at a pickup game on this court in Terre Haute, Indiana. If you want to learn more, check out my new book HEARTLAND, available today wherever they sell books. 🏀📚🙌 #marchmadness www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8bWHwba/

In the summer of 1975, the history of basketball changed—at a pickup game on this court in Terre Haute, Indiana. If you want to learn more, check out my new book HEARTLAND, available today wherever th...

TikTok video by Keith O’Brien

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What could go wrong? www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

Sources: NFL, far apart with NFLRA, to begin hiring replacement refs

NFL owners are "alarmed" by the state of negotiations with the NFL Referees Association and have authorized staff members to begin hiring and onboarding replacement officials in the coming weeks, leag...

espn.com

Forty-seven years ago, Indiana State and Larry Bird played Michigan State and Magic Johnson in the most-watched basketball game of all time. You think you know what happened. You don’t. Pick up my new book HEARTLAND to learn more. It’s the perfect March Madness read. 🏀📚 www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8bqpNaN/

Forty-seven years ago tonight, Indiana State and Larry Bird played Michigan State and Magic Johnson in the most-watched college basketball game of all time. You think you know what happened. You don’t...

TikTok video by Keith O’Brien

tiktok.com

RIP to an all-timer, Tracy Kidder, who inspired me and legions of other young writers with his reporting, his craft, and his words. May his memory—and his work—be a blessing. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/03/25/m...

To mark the start of March Madness, let’s have a great sports debate: Which five players would you put in the best starting five in men’s college basketball history? I’ll tell you mine. Hint: the subject of my new book HEARTLAND is one of them. 🏀📚💙☘️ www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8bx2UR3/

To celebrate the start of March Madness, let’s have a great sports debate: Which five players would you put in the best starting five in men’s college basketball history? I’ll tell you mine. Hint: the...

TikTok video by Keith O’Brien

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