Mike Pesca

Credit David Banks

Mike Pesca first reached the airwaves as a 10-year-old caller to a New York Jets-themed radio show and has since been able to parlay his interests in sports coverage as a National Desk correspondent  for NPR based in New York City.

Pesca enjoys training his microphone on anything that occurs at a track, arena, stadium, park, fronton, velodrome or air strip (i.e. the plane drag during the World's Strongest Man competition). He has reported from Los Angeles, Cleveland and Gary. He has also interviewed former Los Angeles Ram Cleveland Gary. Pesca is a panelist on the weekly Slate podcast “Hang up and Listen”.

In 1997, Pesca began his work in radio as a producer at WNYC. He worked on the NPR and WNYC program On The Media. Later he became the New York correspondent for NPR's midday newsmagazine Day to Day, a job that has brought him to the campaign trail, political conventions, hurricane zones and the Manolo Blahnik shoe sale. Pesca was the first NPR reporter to have his own podcast, a weekly look at gambling cleverly titled “On Gambling with Mike Pesca.”

Pesca, whose writing has appeared in Slate and The Washington Post, is the winner of two Edward R. Murrow awards for radio reporting and, in1993, was named Emory University Softball Official of the Year.

He lives in Manhattan with his wife Robin, sons Milo and Emmett and their dog Rumsfeld. A believer in full disclosure, Pesca rates his favorite teams as the Jets, Mets, St. Johns Red Storm and Knicks, teams he has covered fairly and without favor despite the fact that they have given him a combined one championship during his lifetime as a fully cognizant human.

Pages

Business
4:59 am
Wed January 16, 2013

Who Are The Real Victims Of The NHL Lockout?

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

The lockout is over and the much delayed National Hockey League's season is now set to begin on Saturday. The regular season will run 48 games instead of the usual 82.

So what's the economic effect of missing almost half the season? NPR's Mike Pesca finds, not as bad as you might think.

MIKE PESCA, BYLINE: We've all seen the reports during the lockout, the empty bar near the arena should be brimming with Bruins backers or a Washington Avalanche acolytes. Or maybe it's not a bar. Maybe it's pizza in Pittsburgh.

Read more
Sports
4:16 pm
Wed January 9, 2013

Baseball Hall Of Fame Shutout A Ringing Verdict On Sport's Steroid Era

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 5:31 pm

Transcript

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Audie Cornish.

MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:

And I'm Melissa Block.

JEFF IDELSON: Time to open up the envelope.

(SOUNDBITE OF PAPER)

BLOCK: The envelope revealing the results of this year's vote for baseball's Hall of Fame. We're hearing Jeff Idelson on the MLB Network. He's president of the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York.

Read more
Remembrances
3:46 am
Wed January 9, 2013

Remembering Virtuoso Sports Writer Richard Ben Cramer

Originally published on Wed January 9, 2013 5:26 am

Author Richard Ben Cramer was an award-winning writer who explored politics and sports. Herculean reporting, compelling writing and bursts of insight born of that research and wordsmanship were the hallmarks of Cramer. He died Monday at the age of 62.

Sports
3:42 pm
Mon January 7, 2013

NHL To Host Abbreviated Season After Lockout Ends

Originally published on Mon January 7, 2013 5:19 pm

National Hockey League owners and players have reached a tentative agreement to end their months-long strike. We cover what's in the deal and a possible start date for the shortened season.

Sports
3:37 pm
Fri January 4, 2013

Weak Schedule Helped Some Wild Card Teams Into NFL Playoffs

Originally published on Fri January 4, 2013 6:02 pm

Transcript

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

Finally this hour, as we get ready to settle in for the NFL playoffs - that's four football games per weekend over the next two weekends - NPR's Mike Pesca is here to offer insight, analysis, and I understand a little cold water. Mike, what's your deal here?

Read more
Sports
6:34 pm
Wed January 2, 2013

Sports Media Cover Ray Lewis' Retirement, And Fail To Mention 2000 Murder Case

Originally published on Thu January 3, 2013 5:41 am

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis' announcement of his retirement Wednesday was cause for reflection, celebration, some sadness — and not a single mention by two of the largest purveyors of NFL information of his role in a murder trial.

Read more
Sports
5:48 am
Sun December 23, 2012

New NFL Record Holders Could Be Crowned This Season

Originally published on Sun December 23, 2012 11:41 am

Weekend Edition Sunday host Rachel Martin talks with NPR's Mike Pesca about the sports news of the week, including some NFL records that could be topped this season.

Sports
4:20 pm
Tue December 4, 2012

Rookie NFL QBs Reignite Their Lagging Teams

Originally published on Tue December 4, 2012 5:50 pm

Audie Cornish talks with Mike Pesca about the success of rookie quarterbacks Robert Griffin III of the Washington Redskins and Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts. On Monday night, Griffin led the Redskins in a victory over the New York Giants. Andrew Luck threw for a last second touchdown to beat the Detroit Lions on Sunday. The two were the top picks in last year's draft and both are leading their teams to substantial improvement over last season.

Sports
3:41 pm
Wed November 28, 2012

Doping Era Could Change MLB Hall Of Fame Entrants

Originally published on Wed November 28, 2012 4:47 pm

Baseball Hall of Fame voters will come face-to-face with the doping era this year. Major figures in steroid scandals including Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Sammy Sosa will be on the ballot for the first time. Melissa Block talks with Mike Pesca about the slate of candidates announced on Wednesday.

Remembrances
4:13 pm
Tue November 27, 2012

Marvin Miller Changed Baseball With Free Agency

Originally published on Tue November 27, 2012 4:55 pm

Former baseball union leader Marvin Miller has died. He revolutionized sports with free agency, which gave athletes more power and vastly increased their compensation.

Pages