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
Hey! Strange request but this is a strange place. I’m looking for photos of celebrities reading - could be from a film or tv show, could be one of those classics from Life of Gregory Peck memorizing the Iliad, whatever
December 7, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Hey! Strange request but this is a strange place. I’m looking for photos of celebrities reading - could be from a film or tv show, could be one of those classics from Life of Gregory Peck memorizing the Iliad, whatever
Reposted by Zan Romanoff
New On the Bleachers! @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on Brosmer woes; Jauan Jennings is the drama; bald man solves hair care crisis; women's hockey & women’s baseball; right-wing incentives driving anti-trans athlete narratives; & a principled cyclist
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/4rFLRcd
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/48SH2ox
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/4rFLRcd
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/48SH2ox
December 5, 2025 at 7:29 PM
New On the Bleachers! @zanopticon.bsky.social & I on Brosmer woes; Jauan Jennings is the drama; bald man solves hair care crisis; women's hockey & women’s baseball; right-wing incentives driving anti-trans athlete narratives; & a principled cyclist
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/4rFLRcd
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/48SH2ox
🔶 Apple: bit.ly/4rFLRcd
🔶 Spotify: bit.ly/48SH2ox
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...