Zan Romanoff
@zanopticon.bsky.social
culture writer for hire / author of BIG FAN, SQUARE WAVES & lots of other stuff / co-host of On the Bleachers, a podcast about the intersection between sports and pop culture
Reposted by Zan Romanoff
New On the Bleachers! @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on MLB’s MVPs; sports bros with podcasts; the NBA’s mob ties; Nico is out in Dallas; YouTube TV and ESPN make up; and Wide Left's @arif.bsky.social on JJ “Nine” McCarthy's future with the Vikings.
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/4rikvJh
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/4rg6ZpA
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/4rikvJh
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/4rg6ZpA
November 20, 2025 at 3:33 PM
New On the Bleachers! @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on MLB’s MVPs; sports bros with podcasts; the NBA’s mob ties; Nico is out in Dallas; YouTube TV and ESPN make up; and Wide Left's @arif.bsky.social on JJ “Nine” McCarthy's future with the Vikings.
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/4rikvJh
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/4rg6ZpA
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/4rikvJh
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/4rg6ZpA
Reposted by Zan Romanoff
New On the Bleachers! @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on LAPD vs sports joy; pitcher indictments; Cooper Flagg: new loser; Ovechkin's stolen puck; and Baseball Bar-B-Cast's @jordanshusterman.bsky.social on covering
the Mariners this postseason!
🔶Apple: bit.ly/47FBBJb
🔶Spotify: bit.ly/4nSVMYY
the Mariners this postseason!
🔶Apple: bit.ly/47FBBJb
🔶Spotify: bit.ly/4nSVMYY
November 14, 2025 at 12:52 AM
New On the Bleachers! @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on LAPD vs sports joy; pitcher indictments; Cooper Flagg: new loser; Ovechkin's stolen puck; and Baseball Bar-B-Cast's @jordanshusterman.bsky.social on covering
the Mariners this postseason!
🔶Apple: bit.ly/47FBBJb
🔶Spotify: bit.ly/4nSVMYY
the Mariners this postseason!
🔶Apple: bit.ly/47FBBJb
🔶Spotify: bit.ly/4nSVMYY
I've been volunteering with SELAH for a little over a year now. We nearly set a new record for participants at yesterday's program-- including very young children. This is week one without benefits.
SELAH in LA has been flooded with people in need of food now that SNAP has lapsed. They're currently doing a fundraiser if any Angelenos want to help them do their amazing work: givebutter.com/support-selah
Help Our Unhoused Neighbors
Neighbors helping neighbors!
givebutter.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:45 PM
I've been volunteering with SELAH for a little over a year now. We nearly set a new record for participants at yesterday's program-- including very young children. This is week one without benefits.
Reposted by Zan Romanoff
New On the Bleachers: @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on the most-watched World Series in nearly a decade; the Skaggs trial & what it would take to oust an MLB owner; & are shirtless men at college football games curing the male loneliness epidemic?
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/4hP1868
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/47sRumi
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/4hP1868
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/47sRumi
November 6, 2025 at 3:20 PM
New On the Bleachers: @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on the most-watched World Series in nearly a decade; the Skaggs trial & what it would take to oust an MLB owner; & are shirtless men at college football games curing the male loneliness epidemic?
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/4hP1868
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/47sRumi
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/4hP1868
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/47sRumi
In this you can hear me live react to the first inning of what would eventually become an 18 inning baseball game. I sound very young and alive with possibility.
New On the Bleachers! @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on the postseason baseball; federal indictments & mob ties in the NBA; crying in hockey; & @notquitehydepark.bsky.social talks Taylor’s Version: The Poetic and Musical Genius of Taylor Swift
🔶 Apple bit.ly/4qwAlzD
🔶 Spotify bit.ly/47hcUm9
🔶 Apple bit.ly/4qwAlzD
🔶 Spotify bit.ly/47hcUm9
October 30, 2025 at 7:54 PM
In this you can hear me live react to the first inning of what would eventually become an 18 inning baseball game. I sound very young and alive with possibility.
the romance of romance writing: taking a scene that I originally wrote in the present tense and then changed to past and putting it back into the present
October 16, 2025 at 11:53 PM
the romance of romance writing: taking a scene that I originally wrote in the present tense and then changed to past and putting it back into the present
Reposted by Zan Romanoff
New On the Bleachers! @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on playoff baseball; players taking on WNBA; downright erotic sports coverage; James Dolan is watching you; & @awalkerinla.bsky.social tells us about covering LA's upcoming mass sporting events!
🔶 Apple bit.ly/3KAPzTJ
🔶 Spotify bit.ly/471NW91
🔶 Apple bit.ly/3KAPzTJ
🔶 Spotify bit.ly/471NW91
October 9, 2025 at 6:48 PM
New On the Bleachers! @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on playoff baseball; players taking on WNBA; downright erotic sports coverage; James Dolan is watching you; & @awalkerinla.bsky.social tells us about covering LA's upcoming mass sporting events!
🔶 Apple bit.ly/3KAPzTJ
🔶 Spotify bit.ly/471NW91
🔶 Apple bit.ly/3KAPzTJ
🔶 Spotify bit.ly/471NW91
Reposted by Zan Romanoff
hi, cis folks in california!
this headline leaves out that newsom has another 5 days to sign these bills into law. if you’d like to tell him he should do that to protect trans californians, you should to reach out.
he also has a phone: (916) 445-2841
want to know what to say? next post! 🧵
this headline leaves out that newsom has another 5 days to sign these bills into law. if you’d like to tell him he should do that to protect trans californians, you should to reach out.
he also has a phone: (916) 445-2841
want to know what to say? next post! 🧵
October 7, 2025 at 8:28 PM
hi, cis folks in california!
this headline leaves out that newsom has another 5 days to sign these bills into law. if you’d like to tell him he should do that to protect trans californians, you should to reach out.
he also has a phone: (916) 445-2841
want to know what to say? next post! 🧵
this headline leaves out that newsom has another 5 days to sign these bills into law. if you’d like to tell him he should do that to protect trans californians, you should to reach out.
he also has a phone: (916) 445-2841
want to know what to say? next post! 🧵
very few people I trust on Taylor but Stephanie is one of them
Publication day for Taylor's Version! I'm so happy for my baby and for all the work @hachetteus.bsky.social & @johnmurrays.bsky.social did to bring her out into the world. Consider an order here: www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/steph...
Taylor’s Version
“With unfailing lucidity, empathy, and wit” (Greil Marcus), a preeminent Harvard professor and poetry expert explains the artistry—and the celebrity—...
www.hachettebookgroup.com
October 7, 2025 at 4:43 PM
very few people I trust on Taylor but Stephanie is one of them
Reposted by Zan Romanoff
New On the Bleachers: @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on MLB postseason narratives; the Lynx will not go quietly; Bad Bunny halftime show; how we’re listening to the new Taylor album; & an interview with LA Times' sports reporting legend, Steve Henson
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/4mM22Bi
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/3WkKrFH
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/4mM22Bi
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/3WkKrFH
October 3, 2025 at 4:49 PM
New On the Bleachers: @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on MLB postseason narratives; the Lynx will not go quietly; Bad Bunny halftime show; how we’re listening to the new Taylor album; & an interview with LA Times' sports reporting legend, Steve Henson
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/4mM22Bi
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/3WkKrFH
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/4mM22Bi
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/3WkKrFH
Reposted by Zan Romanoff
so: what do we need you to do? two things.
1.call your D/I senators. find contact info here: reps.fyi
what do we need you to say? try the call script below. adapt it; make it your own! there are bailout points written in, in case you get nervous. but please *call.* 🧵
1.call your D/I senators. find contact info here: reps.fyi
what do we need you to say? try the call script below. adapt it; make it your own! there are bailout points written in, in case you get nervous. but please *call.* 🧵
![Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I'm one of Senator [THEIR NAME]'s constituents. House Republicans are trying to insert a multiple articles of anti-trans legislation, including a full transgender healthcare funding ban, into the F-Y '26 budget. I'm calling to tell the Senator to stand up for trans Americans and vote NO on any bill with that language. This IS worth forcing a shutdown.
[you can stop here at 0:20 if you want to bail out—but it's better if you don't]
This care funding ban follows the map the G-O-P charted while attacking abortion. Democrats lost that fight by giving in to the G-O-P an inch at a time. Giving an inch at a time on trans care will devastate trans Americans and it'll get Democrats nothing in return but contempt.
[you can stop here at 0:40 if you want to bail out—but it's better if you don't]
Right now, the most popular Democrat in the U-S, [Zo-RAHN Mom-DA-nee], is campaigning on making trans healthcare cheaper and easier to access, and he's only got more good will because of it.
[you can stop here at 0:50 if you want to bail out—but it's better if you don't]
I'm asking the Senator to refuse to allow any anti-trans language including a healthcare ban in the F-Y '26 bill. Do not vote for any bill with that language. This IS worth forcing a shutdown. Standing with trans people is the right thing to do and it's politically smart. Voters and donors show up for Democrats who fight.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2lzahebnas6od6j6jfydwst7/bafkreih4xihrkllo4bucwiubjidhjlbjt3k7x6wtzdk776qx67tpcaizli@jpeg)
September 16, 2025 at 3:06 PM
so: what do we need you to do? two things.
1.call your D/I senators. find contact info here: reps.fyi
what do we need you to say? try the call script below. adapt it; make it your own! there are bailout points written in, in case you get nervous. but please *call.* 🧵
1.call your D/I senators. find contact info here: reps.fyi
what do we need you to say? try the call script below. adapt it; make it your own! there are bailout points written in, in case you get nervous. but please *call.* 🧵
I had another 15 minutes on Kershaw locked and loaded but dinner plans intervened / I'm sorry or you're welcome, depending
New On the Bleachers: @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on incremental world records; scamming stone skippers; the Mariners are bound for the postseason and Dodger Clayton Kershaw is bound for retirement. And so much more!
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/4nTHbNw
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/46ydmL7
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/4nTHbNw
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/46ydmL7
September 25, 2025 at 4:46 PM
I had another 15 minutes on Kershaw locked and loaded but dinner plans intervened / I'm sorry or you're welcome, depending
Reposted by Zan Romanoff
New On the Bleachers: @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on Taylor’s Arrowhead arrival; Narrative Fantasy Football update; the WNBA playoffs; FIFA corruption; and why ballplayers are drinking less.
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/48rrkB5
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/4mA6Olq
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/48rrkB5
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/4mA6Olq
September 19, 2025 at 5:04 PM
New On the Bleachers: @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on Taylor’s Arrowhead arrival; Narrative Fantasy Football update; the WNBA playoffs; FIFA corruption; and why ballplayers are drinking less.
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/48rrkB5
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/4mA6Olq
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/48rrkB5
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/4mA6Olq
Reposted by Zan Romanoff
New On the Bleachers: @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on engagement leaks; men being OK on group chat; the Micah trade; and @minakimes.bsky.social and @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social join for the First Ever Narrative Fantasy Football Draft!
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/47WUeZt
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/4paerS4
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/47WUeZt
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/4paerS4
September 3, 2025 at 1:25 PM
New On the Bleachers: @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on engagement leaks; men being OK on group chat; the Micah trade; and @minakimes.bsky.social and @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social join for the First Ever Narrative Fantasy Football Draft!
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/47WUeZt
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/4paerS4
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/47WUeZt
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/4paerS4
in which I admit that I have thought about the details of Taylor Swift's wedding far more than my own
Gee I wonder what @zanopticon.bsky.social & I are gonna talk about on this week's On the Bleachers... 🧡 💍 🧡
ALSO Big Dumper's big dinger, the Honey Deuce, fauxbacks, and should Kids Throw Hard?
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/41pWjJF
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/4lJEHQ5
ALSO Big Dumper's big dinger, the Honey Deuce, fauxbacks, and should Kids Throw Hard?
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/41pWjJF
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/4lJEHQ5
August 27, 2025 at 9:35 PM
in which I admit that I have thought about the details of Taylor Swift's wedding far more than my own
Reposted by Zan Romanoff
New On the Bleachers❗ @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on Taylor’s new album & New Heights; conservative athletes back off toxic Trump; UFC streaming; more NFLPA saga; & @sarahspain.com, host of Good Game with Sarah Spain and co-author of Runs in the Family
🔶 Apple bit.ly/41e39Sr
🔶Spotify bit.ly/3HkYqYr
🔶 Apple bit.ly/41e39Sr
🔶Spotify bit.ly/3HkYqYr
August 20, 2025 at 2:50 PM
New On the Bleachers❗ @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on Taylor’s new album & New Heights; conservative athletes back off toxic Trump; UFC streaming; more NFLPA saga; & @sarahspain.com, host of Good Game with Sarah Spain and co-author of Runs in the Family
🔶 Apple bit.ly/41e39Sr
🔶Spotify bit.ly/3HkYqYr
🔶 Apple bit.ly/41e39Sr
🔶Spotify bit.ly/3HkYqYr
Reposted by Zan Romanoff
On the Bleachers: @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on Taylor’s teaser; crypto memelords and dildos on WNBA courts; ESPN+NFL; Savannah Bananas; & @theathletic.com's @mikedugar.bsky.social on his book, The Franchise: A Curated History of the Legion of Boom!
🔶Apple: bit.ly/46X8aCA
🔶Spotify: bit.ly/3H8IacY
🔶Apple: bit.ly/46X8aCA
🔶Spotify: bit.ly/3H8IacY
August 13, 2025 at 4:02 PM
On the Bleachers: @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on Taylor’s teaser; crypto memelords and dildos on WNBA courts; ESPN+NFL; Savannah Bananas; & @theathletic.com's @mikedugar.bsky.social on his book, The Franchise: A Curated History of the Legion of Boom!
🔶Apple: bit.ly/46X8aCA
🔶Spotify: bit.ly/3H8IacY
🔶Apple: bit.ly/46X8aCA
🔶Spotify: bit.ly/3H8IacY
all of Sarah's dispatches from her summer of baseball are very good, but this one is extra-very good, in my opinion
Outplayed in Phoenix
One of the team's lowest season lows came at the hands of Eugenio Suarez; just two months later, Geno's good vibes have Ms fans dreaming World Series dreams
open.substack.com/pub/sarahenn...
One of the team's lowest season lows came at the hands of Eugenio Suarez; just two months later, Geno's good vibes have Ms fans dreaming World Series dreams
open.substack.com/pub/sarahenn...
Still the One
Fuck it, let's do a Geno post
open.substack.com
August 8, 2025 at 7:19 PM
all of Sarah's dispatches from her summer of baseball are very good, but this one is extra-very good, in my opinion
Reposted by Zan Romanoff
On the Bleachers is back! @zanopticon.bsky.social & I share what we did on our summer vacations; Bryce Harper, man of the people; NFLPA scandal explained; the W All Star hard launch; & @dirtbagqueer.rocks on her new book, ONE OF THE BOYS!
🔶Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/4mwGKrF
🔶Spotify: bit.ly/3UMuQxR
🔶Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/4mwGKrF
🔶Spotify: bit.ly/3UMuQxR
August 6, 2025 at 11:41 PM
On the Bleachers is back! @zanopticon.bsky.social & I share what we did on our summer vacations; Bryce Harper, man of the people; NFLPA scandal explained; the W All Star hard launch; & @dirtbagqueer.rocks on her new book, ONE OF THE BOYS!
🔶Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/4mwGKrF
🔶Spotify: bit.ly/3UMuQxR
🔶Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/4mwGKrF
🔶Spotify: bit.ly/3UMuQxR
I feel like I just have to say publicly on this, the fifteenth anniversary of One Direction's founding, that I love and miss my stupidest friends very much
July 23, 2025 at 7:11 PM
I feel like I just have to say publicly on this, the fifteenth anniversary of One Direction's founding, that I love and miss my stupidest friends very much
MLB's all star break coinciding with the end of Love Island does feel like a targeted attack against me personally. just a barrage of empty hours all arriving at once
July 15, 2025 at 2:56 AM
MLB's all star break coinciding with the end of Love Island does feel like a targeted attack against me personally. just a barrage of empty hours all arriving at once
Reposted by Zan Romanoff
Congratulations Zan!! 💓 (New Yorkers, come to Zan's event at McNally Jackson Seaport on Thursday evening! Looking longingly at the ~70 degree weather later in the week...)
June 24, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Congratulations Zan!! 💓 (New Yorkers, come to Zan's event at McNally Jackson Seaport on Thursday evening! Looking longingly at the ~70 degree weather later in the week...)
my new book is out today! SQUARE WAVES is, by @effectivelywild.bsky.social's metrics, a baseball book & it is a romance by anyone's measure bookshop.org/p/books/just...
Square Waves: An 831 Stories Romance
An 831 Stories Romance
bookshop.org
June 24, 2025 at 4:38 PM
my new book is out today! SQUARE WAVES is, by @effectivelywild.bsky.social's metrics, a baseball book & it is a romance by anyone's measure bookshop.org/p/books/just...
very horny day from yours truly, in which I release this podcast ep & also a romance novel
New On the Bleachers: @zanopticon.bsky.social & I talk Dodgers and ICE; the Rafael Devers saga; the real winner of the Stanley Cup: pettiness; new NBA champions; the return of witchcraft watch; & @katespencer.bsky.social, author of All’s Fair in Love and Pickleball, on Andre Agassi in denim shorts
June 24, 2025 at 4:35 PM
very horny day from yours truly, in which I release this podcast ep & also a romance novel
LA Podcast & @lataco.bsky.social have both been essential resources these last few weeks / always, really
NEW LA Podcast -- updates on LA under siege as at least 500 people are brutally taken in federal raids, the massive No Kings rally in DTLA ends in police violence, how CHIRLA’s rapid response team is monitoring detention centers, widespread fear fuels economic crisis across a city of immigrants...
June 23, 2025 at 11:15 PM
LA Podcast & @lataco.bsky.social have both been essential resources these last few weeks / always, really