Kent Babb

Enterprise writer, @ESPN
Author | Builder | Adventurer
Been smooth since days of Underroos

[Kent Babb @kentbabb]

In 2002, my dad died at 51. Ever since, I’ve worried about reaching that age, and a while back I reached out to somebody who understood. I learned about @DaleJr and how he coped, & wound up meeting a man I shared blood with but didn’t actually know. https://t.co/2iNAYaPcPS

[Will Hobson @TheWillHobson]

Some career news! Today is my first day @WSJ, working on political and government investigations and enterprise. I am beyond thrilled to take on new challenges with some old friends, and to make some new ones in an incredibly talented newsroom that is firing on all cylinders.

[Steve Politi @StevePoliti]

We talked to nearly 100 people about youth sports in New Jersey and found a predatory industry that is leaving parents broke, exhausted and wondering how the games of their childhood took over their adult lives. Our six-month investigation: https://t.co/plE3w618qt

[Kent Babb @kentbabb]

@thesportsbill Ha. Your vigilance is appreciated. However, items have 100 percent been sold, as this was part of the fact checking process, so thankfully a ��retraction,” which would remove the entire story, is hardly necessary. Good luck on your investigative journalism career!

[Kent Babb @kentbabb]

In 2002, my dad died at 51. Ever since, I’ve worried about reaching that age, and a while back I reached out to somebody who understood. I learned about @DaleJr and how he coped, & wound up meeting a man I shared blood with but didn’t actually know. https://t.co/2iNAYaPcPS

[Ben Strauss @benjstrauss]

New from me @espn: Inside the fallout of the Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel photos https://t.co/BnNCuFpKI8

[Kent Babb @kentbabb]

Such a great story that can’t help but bring a smile to your face

[Jerry Brewer @JerryBrewer]

Meet Lawrence Bennett, a former chauffeur at Augusta National, unofficial historian and protector of what's most sacred about the place.

The real story of Augusta isn't green jackets. It lives in the people time quietly leaves behind.

Gift link here: https://t.co/biOLw0zZR5

[Jerry Brewer @JerryBrewer]

Y'all I'm so grateful for the nice words and even the dissenting opinions related to my work at the women's Final 4 and the Geno-Dawn spot.

But I really, really want you to read this one. Put a lot of heart into it.

https://t.co/biOLw0zZR5

[ArtButMakeItSports @ArtButSports]

The Denial of Saint Peter, by Caravaggio, 1610

[Kareem Copeland @kareemcopeland]

Crazy moment between Geno and Dawn.

[Kent Babb @kentbabb]

@bryancurtis I’ve started seeing some uses of “vaunted,” which would seem to be an even darker sign

[Kent Babb @kentbabb]

.@YETICoolers My neighborhood outside DC has many stately (and occasionally diseased) 100-year-old oak trees, one of which fell into our backyard on Friday. As we say back home, this thing was a *hoss.* This is #notanad, just an appreciation/amazement post that everything this tree hit was obliterated, especially the cedar table/platform that held our Yeti. Seriously, this thing exploded like Alderaan ran full speed into Krypton. But the cooler itself? Took a direct hit from a TREE and is somehow just fine. Opens and closes as normal, not even a dent. Legit incredible how well this thing is made.

[Tom Schad @Tom_Schad]

Excited to get rolling today as a reporter on ESPN's investigative team. Still based in DC. Still looking for compelling stories from any corner of the sports world.

Reach out with ideas, tips, leaks, docs, gossip — or just to say hi!

Email: [email protected]
Signal: tschad.12

[Ashley Parker @AshleyRParker]

We were recently approached by another journalist who offered to trade more than two dozen cellphone numbers of significant stature for the one number of most significant stature —Trump’s. (We declined.) W/ @michaelscherer: https://t.co/ZAldcZ2EK4

[Kent Babb @kentbabb]

@StillMikeBarber okay now I have my own idea. SCATTERED & SMOTHERED @jmart

[Kent Babb @kentbabb]

Brilliant. Now I'm wishing I'd thought of this AND I'm hungry.

[Jonathan Martin @jmart]

https://t.co/R8voU0cFdZ

FOLKS…

The texts, emails and calls come regularly. At least once a week. Sometimes more.

“Jmart, I’m going to [fill-in-the-blank city], where should I eat?” friends, colleagues and sometimes folks I barely know at all will ask. Often, the question in reference is about New Orleans, America’s greatest city and the town my wife, Betsy, and I call home.

But just as frequently, it’s about somewhere else, where there’s a conference or wedding or news event. I’ve yet to meet the person who doesn’t want to find a good meal on the road.

Which is why this week I’m starting “On the Road with Jonathan Martin.”

After over 20 years of covering politics and visiting all 50 states along the way, I’ve eaten a lot of meals with politicians and those around them. Now I want to take you with me, have you watch and listen as I sit down and (quite literally) break bread at local joints with Democrats and Republicans alike.

My vision: Anthony Bourdain meets “Lunch with the FT” meets the Almanac of American Politics.

We’ll talk food, politics and place, delving into yesterday and tomorrow. It’s the great question at the heart of every political story, and it couldn’t be more relevant in America’s 250th year: How did we get here, and where are we going?

We begin at Wright’s BBQ in Little Rock, Arkansas, where I had the ribs (great rub), brisket and mac and cheese last week with Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. More on that below. I’m headed to California next, where I’ll dip into some Dungeness crab with California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

[Kent Babb @kentbabb]

Extremely grateful for be part of this crew, at this special place, and do it arm-in-arm with these #ForeverTeammates

[ESPN PR @ESPNPR]

Advancing commitment to journalism, ESPN hires 6 standout former Washington Post writers

Hirings highlight continued focus on high-impact journalism & storytelling

More: https://t.co/fPMdjmpNaQ

[ESPN PR @ESPNPR]

Advancing commitment to journalism, ESPN hires 6 standout former Washington Post writers

Hirings highlight continued focus on high-impact journalism & storytelling

More: https://t.co/fPMdjmpNaQ

[Albert Samaha @AlbertSamaha]

Sam is a dogged reporter who brings a contagious joy to the work. When it comes to sourcing up, he’s as good as it gets. But it’s the energy he brings to a newsroom that’s truly invaluable. Type of dude who makes everyone around him better.

[Kent Babb @kentbabb]

@daveweigel That’s quietly powerful. (This matters)

[Kent Babb @kentbabb]

@BradWarthen Thank you for reading and writing, Brad. I’m sorry to see that you’ve unsubscribed, though I certainly understand why. I’m keeping my subscription for now, and supporting my Frieds and former colleagues aside, I hope the leaders’ changing product eventually makes it worthwhile.