Rustin Dodd

Writer at The Athletic. Knight-Wallace fellow 2023-24. Author of KINGDOM QUARTERBACK, a book on Patrick Mahomes and the history of Kansas City. Order below:

[Rustin Dodd @rustindodd]

The first review of KINGDOM QUARTERBACK—our book about Patrick Mahomes and the history of Kansas City—is here from Kirkus.

They called it "lively and meaningful."

"Chiefs fans will find this a revelation, and urban planners might learn a thing or two, too."

It’s out Aug. 22.

Review: https://t.co/aBJiFOX2oS

[Rustin Dodd @rustindodd]

@dougherty_jesse @NOTUSreports congrats, my dude.

[Mike Bird @Birdyword]

The number of Arsenal shirts on show in Brooklyn this morning is making me feel like I've woken up on the alternate earth where there wasn't an American Revolution

[Triumph Books @TriumphBooks]

Happy PERFECT PITCH day!

In Perfect Pitch, @nate_bukaty & @rustindodd chronicle the surprising and delightful evolution of how Kansas City became the heart of American soccer, and improbable host the 2026 World Cup.

https://t.co/ja676cMNcV

[Rustin Dodd @rustindodd]

Steph is one of the best in our business, no matter what she is writing about. Some place will be fortunate to have her writing for them very soon.
https://t.co/WifhxulrfQ

[Stephanie Apstein @stephapstein]

Eight days shy of my 15th anniversary at Sports Illustrated, I’ve been informed that I’ve joined the extensive ranks of writers laid off from there. I loved my time at SI, I’m very sad to see it end and I’m eager to do the best work of my career elsewhere. Thank you for reading.

[Jeff Passan @JeffPassan]

The landscape in college baseball is changing. With the 34-player limit, Division I schools are turning more to junior college players for immediate impact. And no school embodies that more than Kansas. Free at ESPN: How juco turned KU into a powerhouse. https://t.co/lT0Kdy7OmR

[Eric Wahl @ziplamak]

Just finished @nate_bukaty's (w @rustindodd) beautifully written PERFECT PITCH abt how Kansas City became a soccer hot spot & World Cup host city. THANK YOU for mentioning Grant. This book deserves to be in the hands of every national team member base-camping in Kansas City 🙏 So many awesome blast-from-the-past names (Digital Takawira! Gino Schiraldi! Preki!) & so from the heart I teared up in spots.

[Dan Pompei @danpompei]

If Tom Condon had one defining characteristic, it's that he always found a way. And in a new phase of life, he's trying to find a way again. My story is free to read here. https://t.co/oho2pBOJsn

[CJ Moore @CJMooreHoops]

I sat down with Bill Self last week to talk about his retirement decision, why he’s back, how he’s feeling and how long he plans to go.

Free to read: https://t.co/jMJLEl9lT8

[Kevin Van Valkenburg @KVanValkenburg]

I know everybody loves the Why I Use Iron Covers anecdote from Aaron Rai (I do too) but this is my favorite Rai detail: When he went out and watched Tiger play a pro am like a fan in miserable cold weather, but was too sheepish to say hello.

[James L. Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII]

After the Knicks lost to DAL by 17 — their ninth loss in 11 games — they had a spirited practice spearhead by Jalen Brunson that started a turnaround in their season.

Jalen Brunson’s NY legacy isn’t one he’s ready to, rightfully, talk about, but I will:
https://t.co/bwjrtep6J2

[The New York Times @nytimes]

From @TheAthletic: At Villanova, Jay Wright preached the “street sweeper” mentality: defining yourself by the standards you uphold. Years later, Josh Hart has become the example, turning every role into impact for the Knicks.
https://t.co/2zjIWHwFaU

[Andy McKay @AndyMcKayHG]

Another great piece from the Athletic. At the end of the day, success/failure usually comes back to identity. https://t.co/LQnWpgeBGo via @NYTimes

[Malika Andrews @malika_andrews]

Duncan Robinson’s love of basketball started with his big brother, Eli. But when Eli got older, he began to struggle.

It takes incredible strength to share a story like this. Thank you, Duncan, for your vulnerability. Well done @mcten. I know this hit close to home.

[Rustin Dodd @rustindodd]

In the 2010s, a former drama student who had studied the Stanislavsky method created an alter ego for competitions. She became a world champion.

A few years later, two groups of researchers may have figured out why it worked.

On the "Batman Effect":

https://t.co/r44jxbYbQM

[New York BBWAA @NYBBWAA]

A pitcher and catcher drank beer, played guitar and rapped together. It made them better by @rustindodd for @TheAthletic: There may be no closer partnership in sports than... <$> https://t.co/hPzbuhaQk6

[Lindsay Schnell @Lindsay_Schnell]

There is no doubting Tyran Stokes’ talent. His attitude is a different story.

Over the last few months, I talked with the top-ranked 2026 prospect & future @KUHoops star about all the narratives swirling around him (free link): https://t.co/VvbTJ8YTG4

[Rustin Dodd @rustindodd]

@GGerling @Hookmonsta Well, Wrigley Field and Fenway Park are the classic examples. But PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Petco Park in San Diego and Coors Field in Denver have some of those qualities. The stadium in San Francisco, too.

[Rustin Dodd @rustindodd]

@Blue_In_MO Longfellow erasure?

[Rustin Dodd @rustindodd]

Just one thought about the Royals' stadium plan, irrespective of the funding questions: The best MLB ballparks, in my experience, are usually more "neighborhood ballparks" than "downtown ballparks." There are a lot of "downtown ballparks" near or around central business districts that are still pretty soulless. But I think this Crown Center site, with its proximity to midtown and Beacon Hill, could (with the right execution) become a genuine "neighborhood ballpark."
https://t.co/dnTpziBfll

[Bryan Hoch ⚾️ @BryanHoch]

Aaron Judge: “I’m all about tradition, but we’ve got a (Starr Insurance) patch on our sleeves.”