Ahead Of Their Time

FiveThirtyEight, 538, Neil Paine, Jody Avirgan
  • 4.5 (26)
  • SPORTS

In sports, we love to celebrate the stars who usher in game-changing new strategies and skills. But often times, they weren't the first to champion these winning tactics. This mini-series from FiveThirtyEight's "Hot Takedown" profiles some of the most innovative and under-appreciated players and managers in the history of sport.

Episodes

  1. 11/17/2016

    Ahead Of Their Time - Randall Cunningham

    Our series concludes with the "ultimate weapon," Randall Cunningham of the Philadelphia Eagles, who could do it all before anyone knew what to do with someone like him.

    31 min

  2. 11/03/2016

    Ahead Of Their Time - The Two-Handed Backhand

    The story of Peaches Bartkowicz, Chris Evert, and the rise of a new way to hit the tennis ball. Reported by Emma Morgenstern.

    24 min

  3. 10/27/2016

    Ahead Of Their Time - Long Ball Soccer

    Charles Reep pioneered soccer analytics, invented the long ball style, and helped ruin the English national team for a generation. Reported and produced by Joe Sykes.

    31 min

  4. 10/19/2016

    Ahead Of Their Time - Russians In The NHL

    How Mike Smith, the Russia-obsessed coach of the Winnipeg Jets, changed the NHL forever. Part two of our five-part doc series, hosted by Neil Paine.

    29 min

  5. 10/13/2016

    Ahead Of Their Time - The Shift

    Neil Paine tells the story of the rise, fall, and return of the defensive shift in baseball, which stumped Hall of Famer Ted Williams. The first in our five-part doc series.

    33 min
  • 5 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

In sports, we love to celebrate the stars who usher in game-changing new strategies and skills. But often times, they weren't the first to champion these winning tactics. This mini-series from FiveThirtyEight's "Hot Takedown" profiles some of the most innovative and under-appreciated players and managers in the history of sport.

Information

  • Creator
    FiveThirtyEight, 538, Neil Paine, Jody Avirgan
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Ahead Of Their Time

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