Storied: Recent Episodes
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22 Stories about the Negro Leagues. Retold by Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
Join us for a fascinating recount of Black America’s journey toward equality through the game of baseball. We'll release a new chapter each week depicting the greatest stories you’ve never heard before!
“The Black folks AAA Magazine”
While fans would welcome NLB teams into their stadiums with open arms, they’d turn around after the game and deny players essential services like food or board. Players in the Negro Leagues and jazz musicians began to document which businesses would provide services in the form of a Green Book. Bob recounts the Green Book’s impact on traveling black entertainers in this final episode of Extra Innings.
Want to donate to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum? https://nlbm.com/donations/
“Everywhere you went you went looking good.”
Back in the early-to-mid 1900s, Major League teams typically did not play on Sundays. Which meant that their ballparks were available for use. As a result, the Negro Leagues would rent out the ballparks on Sunday to play doubleheaders, and the fans would come straight from church in their ‘Sunday Best.’
Want to donate to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum? https://nlbm.com/donations/
“Their pathway to the Major Leagues was just as contentious as it was for Jackie, and they should all be celebrated.”
Although most everyone knows the story of Jackie Robinson, each team had their own Barrier Breaker. In this episode, Bob talks about the exhibit inside the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum dedicated to the first man of color to play for each respective Major League club.
Want to donate to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum? https://nlbm.com/donations/
“We try to simplify it [segregation] by telling it through the eyes of these courageous black athletes.”
When faced with trials and tribulations, black baseball players continued to do what they loved to do; play baseball. When told they couldn’t play at the Major League level, they made their own league. When told they couldn’t eat at restaurants or sleep in hotels, they ate their peanut butter crackers and slept on the bus. It’s one of the greatest human stories of dedication, and it creates an easily-digestible subject matter for children to understand the reality of segregation.
Want to donate to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum? https://nlbm.com/donations/
“Fast. Aggressive. Daring.”
The Negro Leagues had an unmistakable style of play that fans couldn’t get enough of. We’re talking about glove-flips, barehanded double plays, pop slides, and so much more. When a Negro League player stepped on the field, you wouldn’t dare blink because you might miss something. Join Bob as he analyzes how that style of play infiltrated the Major Leagues following the league’s integration.
Want to donate to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum? https://nlbm.com/donations/
Chadwick Boseman had the talent and the charisma to eloquently bring the late, great Jackie Robinson to life on the big screen. Boseman further went on to play a pivotal role in Black Culture when he became Marvel’s very own Black Panther. Learn about his time at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the legacy he left following his untimely passing.
Want to donate to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum? https://nlbm.com/donations/
“Tony Stone. Connie Morgan. Mamie “Peanut” Johnson. Pioneers.” The Negro Leagues gave power to some of the most influential women in baseball history. These women that had an impact on the game in ways we didn’t even realize. Enjoy this powerful final chapter of Storied.
Monte Irvin was a tremendous player, but more importantly, Monte Irvin was a tremendous human being.” Learn the story behind the man many thought would, and should be the first black player to break the MLB color barrier.
“He didn’t have a prejudiced bone in his body.” J.L. Wilkinson, a diminutive white man from Algona, Iowa became the only white owner in the Negro Leagues behind the testimony of Buck O’Neil. The rest was history as Wilkinson and the Kansas City Monarchs went on to become the NLB’s most decorated franchise.
"The catcher set the target. He hit the target. He didn’t miss.” Satchel Paige, blessed with pinpoint accuracy, made pitching look effortless. Enjoy the latest episode where Bob talks about how the timeless wonder would warm-up before a game.
Henry “Hank” Aaron is one of the most prolific baseball players in history, but did you know he began his career in the Negro Leagues? Join Bob for a fascinating recount of how The Hammer’s legend began.
“They weren’t black baseball players, they were just baseball players.” Treated as second-class citizens in America, many Negro Leagues’ players went over to spanish-speaking countries and were treated like heroes.
“The greatest baseball mind this sport has ever seen.” Rube Foster redefined the way baseball was thought of. He secretly taught Hall of Fame pitcher, Christy Matthewson, how to throw a screwball. And the teams he managed, oh boy, his teams played more aggressively than any baseball team to ever came before them.
"So fast that he could walk in a room, turn off the lights, get in bed, pull-up the covers, before the room got dark." Even the ‘fastest man in the world’ (Jesse Owens) refused to race the legendary, Cool Papa Bell.
"I tell people all the time you can’t make this stuff up, it’s too good.” The great Satchel Paige donned a wig and fake red beard as he played with the all-white House of David team during the 1934 Denver Post Tournament. Needless to say, Satchel put on a show as his team won the tournament and the $7,500 prize money.
“He had the defensive abilities of Tris Speak, the tenacity of Ty Cobb, and the bat of Babe Ruth.” Join Bob as he breaks down the player Buck O’Neil said was the best he’d ever seen.
We take a detour from the history of the NLB’s greatest players to take a look at the man that governed their games. Bob Motley, legendary NLB umpire, brought a show-stopping flair to the diamond. And you’ll never believe which icon of baseball he threw out of a game...
“Believe it or not, it was a touring team of Negro Leaguers that introduced professional baseball to the Japanese.” Although Babe Ruth and his team of All-Stars are often credited with the internationalization of professional baseball as a result of their tours, the Philadelphia Royal Giants (a Negro League team) toured through Japan many years prior. Take a listen.
“You can indeed get further in this life with love, [rather] than hate.” A great baseball player and better man. Buck O’Neil personified grace, love and joy in every aspect of life.
Leroy “Satchel” Paige brought a full arsenal to the bump. He had charisma, longevity, and most importantly, stuff. There was no one like the ageless wonder. In this episode, Bob tells an unforgettable story about the time Satchel Paige and Buck O’Neil played in the Denver Post Tournament. You won’t wanna miss this!
Want to watch the full video? Head over "https://www.proathleteinc.com/storied
“Wherever you had successful black baseball, you had thriving black economies.” Bob talks about the iconic Street Hotel and how it became the hottest place to stay in downtown Kansas City.
Copy: The legend of Josh Gibson’s power and athleticism led people to start referring to Babe Ruth as the ‘White Josh Gibson.’ The career .359 hitter reportedly hit a ball completely out of Yankee Stadium and another over 600 feet at the historic Polo Grounds. If baseball ever had a GOAT, it was none other than Josh Gibson.
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“Even when they say it’s not about the money… It’s always about the money!” Join Bob as he details why the Negro Leagues’ financial success ultimately caused a delay in baseball’s integration.
Want to watch the full episode: https://www.proathleteinc.com/storied
“I can’t say that I was a big Rush fan before… But I’m a Rush fan now!”
Learn the story behind why Rush’s lead singer, Geddy Lee, a “White, Canadian Rocker” donated & dedicated 400 Negro League autographed baseballs to the NLBM.
Want to watch this episode? https://www.proathleteinc.com/storied
“El Maestro” is the only baseball player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 5 different countries. He played every position. He hit. He pitched. He did it all. Martin Dihigo is the most complete baseball player that ever lived.
Storied: 22 Stories about the Negro Leagues. Retold by Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
Want to watch all of the episodes? Check it out!
https://www.proathleteinc.com/storied
J.L.Wilkinson, owner of the Kansas City Monarchs, literally mortgaged everything he had to pioneer night baseball.” Join Bob as he describes how Wilkinson’s gamble paid off in a major way amongst the working class.
If you would like to see the video versions of this podcast head over to our youtube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVcrFcjaKe4&feature=youtu.be
If you would like the take a tour of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Head over to :
https://nlbm.com/
They did everything imaginable to try and break Jackie, but Jackie wouldn’t break.” Although he wasn’t even the most talented player on his own Kansas City Monarchs team, Bob explains why Jackie Robinson was the perfect man to break Major League Baseball’s color barrier.
Want to watch the video?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMQ9DX3wNXA&feature=youtu.be
“You are now deemed worthy to walk out onto the field with 10 of the baddest brothers to ever play this game.” Fighting through the mire of segregation, some of the game’s greatest players make-up the backdrop as Bob Kendrick explains the historical impact of chicken wire and why it is so prominent throughout the Museum.
Storied: 22 Stories about the Negro Leagues. Retold by Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Join us for a fascinating recount of Black America’s journey towardequality through the game of baseball. We'll release a new chapter each week depicting the greatest stories you’ve never heard before!
To watch the full videos of Storied head to: https://www.proathleteinc.com/storied