Steve Politi
@stevepoliti.bsky.social
Sports columnist at NJ.com. Host of the Rutgers Rant podcast. Nutley Hall of Fame Class of 2013. Former Star-Ledger paperboy.
What is your New Jersey town's sports claim to fame? We have the answer! North Jersey, Part 1: www.nj.com/sports/2025/...
Every single North Jersey town’s sports claim to fame, Part 1
What is your New Jersey town's claim to fame in sports? We have the answer!
www.nj.com
October 6, 2025 at 11:33 PM
What is your New Jersey town's sports claim to fame? We have the answer! North Jersey, Part 1: www.nj.com/sports/2025/...
Here is the very first column that anyone has put on the internet about the NFL Draft, and specifically, what the Giants should do to solve their quarterback troubles. www.nj.com/giants/2025/...
Giants GM Joe Schoen must get his franchise quarterback with a bold NFL Draft move | Politi
The Giants should trade back into the NFL Draft and take Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart.
www.nj.com
April 23, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Here is the very first column that anyone has put on the internet about the NFL Draft, and specifically, what the Giants should do to solve their quarterback troubles. www.nj.com/giants/2025/...
Can it still be prestige TV if it's actually bad? That is the existential question of our time, and also, how I reply to my wife when she asks if I want to watch Yellowjackets.
April 7, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Can it still be prestige TV if it's actually bad? That is the existential question of our time, and also, how I reply to my wife when she asks if I want to watch Yellowjackets.
Five years ago today, I was trying — and failing — to teach my kids math in our basement. No matter what happens in the next 24 hours, I promise not to complain!
www.nj.com/coronavirus/...
www.nj.com/coronavirus/...
Greetings from Homeschool Hell: The coronavirus has given me a greater appreciation of our teachers
The coronavirus quarantine has proven to me -- and no doubt countless others -- that educating our children should be done by the professionals.
www.nj.com
March 25, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Five years ago today, I was trying — and failing — to teach my kids math in our basement. No matter what happens in the next 24 hours, I promise not to complain!
www.nj.com/coronavirus/...
www.nj.com/coronavirus/...
Ohhh. So this is where you've all been.
March 10, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Ohhh. So this is where you've all been.
Reposted by Steve Politi
Jeff Jasper, who has coached girls basketball in New Jersey for 52 years, is one of the most interesting people I've interviewed lately. His thoughts on the coaching profession are worth reading.
www.nj.com/highschoolsp...
www.nj.com/highschoolsp...
The last of the lifers
Jeff Jasper has coached girls basketball at Pascack Valley High for 52 years — and his longevity offers insight for how newcomers can persevere.
www.nj.com
February 27, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Jeff Jasper, who has coached girls basketball in New Jersey for 52 years, is one of the most interesting people I've interviewed lately. His thoughts on the coaching profession are worth reading.
www.nj.com/highschoolsp...
www.nj.com/highschoolsp...
Jeff Jasper, who has coached girls basketball in New Jersey for 52 years, is one of the most interesting people I've interviewed lately. His thoughts on the coaching profession are worth reading.
www.nj.com/highschoolsp...
www.nj.com/highschoolsp...
The last of the lifers
Jeff Jasper has coached girls basketball at Pascack Valley High for 52 years — and his longevity offers insight for how newcomers can persevere.
www.nj.com
February 27, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Jeff Jasper, who has coached girls basketball in New Jersey for 52 years, is one of the most interesting people I've interviewed lately. His thoughts on the coaching profession are worth reading.
www.nj.com/highschoolsp...
www.nj.com/highschoolsp...
Rutgers is going "all in" with revenue sharing with its athletes. Will Ryan Pisarri be the guy to lead the Scarlet Knights into this new world? The interim AD sat down with me for his first interview. www.nj.com/rutgersfootb...
Rutgers’ interim AD dishes on hoops struggles, plans to pay athletes and optimism about the ‘new world’ | Politi
Ryan Pisarri, who took over as interim Rutgers athletic director in August when predecessor Patrick Hobbs resigned, sat down with NJ Advance Media for his first interview last week.
www.nj.com
February 24, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Rutgers is going "all in" with revenue sharing with its athletes. Will Ryan Pisarri be the guy to lead the Scarlet Knights into this new world? The interim AD sat down with me for his first interview. www.nj.com/rutgersfootb...
I first wrote about Bobby Czyz in 2018. The colorful former boxing champ was working as a cashier at ShopRite after a serious of life setbacks — some his own doing — had left him seven figures in debt. Now, the face that made him a star is etched with a scar from his toughest fight yet — cancer.
N.J. boxing legend faces his toughest opponent yet — cancer | Politi
Bobby Czyz, a two-time world champion who fought Evander Holyfield before a series of setbacks derailed his broadcasting career, is fighting cancer.
www.nj.com
February 12, 2025 at 1:40 PM
I first wrote about Bobby Czyz in 2018. The colorful former boxing champ was working as a cashier at ShopRite after a serious of life setbacks — some his own doing — had left him seven figures in debt. Now, the face that made him a star is etched with a scar from his toughest fight yet — cancer.
I was honored to write this remembrance of The Star-Ledger sports section. If you grew up reading it like I did, you understood just how (bleepin') great it was in its heyday. I had only one dream as a paperboy, and that was to have my words grace its pages someday.
www.nj.com/sports/2025/...
www.nj.com/sports/2025/...
The Star-Ledger had the best damn sports section in the country (okay, we’re biased)
For decades, New Jersey readers depended on The Star-Ledger sports section to be their eyes and ears at the biggest sporting events in the state and beyond.
www.nj.com
February 2, 2025 at 12:53 PM
I was honored to write this remembrance of The Star-Ledger sports section. If you grew up reading it like I did, you understood just how (bleepin') great it was in its heyday. I had only one dream as a paperboy, and that was to have my words grace its pages someday.
www.nj.com/sports/2025/...
www.nj.com/sports/2025/...
So I went souvenir shopping ... www.nj.com/eagles/2025/...
I spent $73.96 on ‘snow’ from Eagles playoff win and got sent a cup of dirty water instead
Buyer beware: Not every sports collectible is worth the money.
www.nj.com
January 30, 2025 at 12:16 PM
So I went souvenir shopping ... www.nj.com/eagles/2025/...
Reposted by Steve Politi
Ballot #177 is from Steve Politi. He adds Rollins and pushes Rollins to +11. CC and Ichiro additionally join five holdovers.
Politi's column: www.nj.com/yankees/2025...
In the Tracker: tracker.fyi
Politi's column: www.nj.com/yankees/2025...
In the Tracker: tracker.fyi
January 20, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Ballot #177 is from Steve Politi. He adds Rollins and pushes Rollins to +11. CC and Ichiro additionally join five holdovers.
Politi's column: www.nj.com/yankees/2025...
In the Tracker: tracker.fyi
Politi's column: www.nj.com/yankees/2025...
In the Tracker: tracker.fyi
I knew there were many potential outcomes when two NBA lottery picks landed at Rutgers this season. Complete, unmitigated disaster was not on my bingo card.
www.nj.com/rutgersbaske...
www.nj.com/rutgersbaske...
Steve Pikiell must keep Rutgers’ dream season from devolving into a total nightmare | Politi
The dream season for the Rutgers basketball team is fast becoming a nightmare.
www.nj.com
January 10, 2025 at 12:52 PM
I knew there were many potential outcomes when two NBA lottery picks landed at Rutgers this season. Complete, unmitigated disaster was not on my bingo card.
www.nj.com/rutgersbaske...
www.nj.com/rutgersbaske...
Reposted by Steve Politi
CHRISTOPHER: hey you hear they found the guy flying these drones?
SILVIO: oh yeah?
CHRISTOPHER: turns out he’s Italian and when they caught him he said “OH! MAHDRONES!”
PAULIE WALNUTS: [points finger in rage] this is fuckin’ serious!
TONY: okay, settle down
SILVIO: oh yeah?
CHRISTOPHER: turns out he’s Italian and when they caught him he said “OH! MAHDRONES!”
PAULIE WALNUTS: [points finger in rage] this is fuckin’ serious!
TONY: okay, settle down
December 17, 2024 at 10:53 PM
CHRISTOPHER: hey you hear they found the guy flying these drones?
SILVIO: oh yeah?
CHRISTOPHER: turns out he’s Italian and when they caught him he said “OH! MAHDRONES!”
PAULIE WALNUTS: [points finger in rage] this is fuckin’ serious!
TONY: okay, settle down
SILVIO: oh yeah?
CHRISTOPHER: turns out he’s Italian and when they caught him he said “OH! MAHDRONES!”
PAULIE WALNUTS: [points finger in rage] this is fuckin’ serious!
TONY: okay, settle down
This Rutgers team is a lot of fun to watch — if your idea of fun is bungee jumping off a 500-foot cliff over jagged rocks and shark infested waters. Dylan Harper saves the day. Get used to it needing to be saved. www.nj.com/rutgersbaske...
Dylan Harper adds to his family’s Rutgers big-shot legacy — and saves the season | Politi
Rutgers and Seton Hall met for the 75th time in this New Jersey basketball rivalry with the Scarlet Knights needing a win to stay on track for March Madness.
www.nj.com
December 15, 2024 at 1:11 PM
This Rutgers team is a lot of fun to watch — if your idea of fun is bungee jumping off a 500-foot cliff over jagged rocks and shark infested waters. Dylan Harper saves the day. Get used to it needing to be saved. www.nj.com/rutgersbaske...
How can anyone in the Rutgers-Seton Hall rivalry muster hatred for each other when they've barely met? Welcome to college basketball in 2024.
www.nj.com/rutgersbaske...
www.nj.com/rutgersbaske...
Rutgers-Seton Hall rivalry is losing its passion in a college sports world gone mad | Politi
Rutgers and Seton Hall renew their basketball rivalry on Saturday at Jersey Mike's Arena, but in this era of free agency, only the fans harbor any hatred.
www.nj.com
December 13, 2024 at 12:37 PM
How can anyone in the Rutgers-Seton Hall rivalry muster hatred for each other when they've barely met? Welcome to college basketball in 2024.
www.nj.com/rutgersbaske...
www.nj.com/rutgersbaske...
I think we're going to remember Bill Belichick's arrival at UNC as one of those watershed moments when college football became an unrecognizable NFL knock off. Are we ready for that? More importantly for Jersey readers: Is Rutgers?
Bill Belichick’s move to UNC is a watershed moment for college sports. Is Rutgers ready? | Politi
The professional model in college sports is here to stay, and Rutgers has to adapt or die.
www.nj.com
December 12, 2024 at 12:26 PM
I think we're going to remember Bill Belichick's arrival at UNC as one of those watershed moments when college football became an unrecognizable NFL knock off. Are we ready for that? More importantly for Jersey readers: Is Rutgers?
"Bill Belichick, being asked to shake the hand of a human dressed as a toaster pastry." LOL, @lukedecock.bsky.social www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
www.newsobserver.com
December 11, 2024 at 3:25 PM
"Bill Belichick, being asked to shake the hand of a human dressed as a toaster pastry." LOL, @lukedecock.bsky.social www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
I thought the guy who flew this message about MetLife Stadium was being kind. On top of everything else, Giants owner John Mara has a credibility problem.
www.nj.com/giants/2024/...
www.nj.com/giants/2024/...
John Mara owes Giants fans an apology — or even a refund — for this ‘dumpster fire’ | Politi
Giants co-owner John Mara should offer his season ticket holders a refund — or, short of that, an apology.
www.nj.com
December 9, 2024 at 7:39 PM
I thought the guy who flew this message about MetLife Stadium was being kind. On top of everything else, Giants owner John Mara has a credibility problem.
www.nj.com/giants/2024/...
www.nj.com/giants/2024/...
I talked to Cliff Omoruyi about his decision to leave Rutgers, receiving his degree in a Las Vegas casino and the world that his NIL payday has opened up for his family.
www.nj.com/rutgersbaske...
www.nj.com/rutgersbaske...
Cliff Omoruyi left Rutgers for a payday just as the program arrived. He has no regrets. | Politi
Cliff Omoruyi was a fan favorite at Rutgers, but in the new landscape of college basketball, he left for greener pastures in Alabama.
www.nj.com
November 28, 2024 at 6:27 PM
I talked to Cliff Omoruyi about his decision to leave Rutgers, receiving his degree in a Las Vegas casino and the world that his NIL payday has opened up for his family.
www.nj.com/rutgersbaske...
www.nj.com/rutgersbaske...
I have no idea who will go first in the NBA Draft this spring, but if I were building a team for a game tomorrow? Rutgers star Dylan Harper is my No. 1 pick, and his absurd performance in Vegas last night was one for the ages. Column:
www.nj.com/rutgersbaske...
www.nj.com/rutgersbaske...
Dylan Harper’s coming out party in Las Vegas was an unforgettable night for Rutgers | Politi
Rutgers faced Notre Dame in the first game of the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas.
www.nj.com
November 27, 2024 at 4:17 PM
I have no idea who will go first in the NBA Draft this spring, but if I were building a team for a game tomorrow? Rutgers star Dylan Harper is my No. 1 pick, and his absurd performance in Vegas last night was one for the ages. Column:
www.nj.com/rutgersbaske...
www.nj.com/rutgersbaske...
Brian Daboll won't survive the Giants' fracturing locker room. Column: www.nj.com/giants/2024/...
Fire Brian Daboll? ‘Soft’ Giants are making that decision easy for owner John Mara | Politi
The Giants looked awful in a 30-7 loss to Tampa Bay. Then came the real problem for head coach Brian Daboll.
www.nj.com
November 26, 2024 at 3:39 PM
Brian Daboll won't survive the Giants' fracturing locker room. Column: www.nj.com/giants/2024/...
Let's make Rutgers star Ace Bailey happy and bring Waffle House to New Jersey. Who's with me? www.nj.com/rutgersbaske...
Rutgers star Ace Bailey is right: New Jersey needs a Waffle House
The star Rutgers freshman, who grew up in Tennessee, is adapting to life in New Jersey. He misses Waffle House. Preach, Ace.
www.nj.com
November 21, 2024 at 8:59 PM
Let's make Rutgers star Ace Bailey happy and bring Waffle House to New Jersey. Who's with me? www.nj.com/rutgersbaske...
What do the belted kingfisher, Hugh Hefner and the woke mind virus have in common? They were all topics on the latest episode of the Rutgers Rant. In the same segment. www.nj.com/rutgersfootb...
Rutgers Rant: Would Senior Day win over Illinois mark successful 2024 season for Scarlet Knights?
The Rutgers Rant is back to preview Saturday's Senior Day matchup with Illinois.
www.nj.com
November 21, 2024 at 6:13 PM
What do the belted kingfisher, Hugh Hefner and the woke mind virus have in common? They were all topics on the latest episode of the Rutgers Rant. In the same segment. www.nj.com/rutgersfootb...
Rutgers should declare Nov. 20 an official holiday. Here's what I wrote about the Scarlet Knights crashing the Big Ten on the 10-year anniversary a couple years ago.
www.nj.com/rutgersfootb...
www.nj.com/rutgersfootb...
How Rutgers crashed the Big Ten: The inside story 10 years later
Rutgers was invited to join the Big Ten 10 years ago, a transformative moment for the university that many believed would never happen.
www.nj.com
November 19, 2024 at 9:51 PM
Rutgers should declare Nov. 20 an official holiday. Here's what I wrote about the Scarlet Knights crashing the Big Ten on the 10-year anniversary a couple years ago.
www.nj.com/rutgersfootb...
www.nj.com/rutgersfootb...