What does it mean to forgive, but never forget? Bob Kendrick addresses the racial slur used, and apology given, by A's broadcaster Glen Kuiper, and why he himself has chosen the path of forgiveness, while using the moment to remember the triumph over adversity of Negro Leagues baseball. Bob also takes a moment to remember his dear friend and a member of the Black Aces, the late Vida Blue, before writer, documentarian, and comedian W. Kamau Bell joins Bob for a nuanced discussion of how Blackness has been defined through the history of baseball, on the heels of Bell's HBOMax documentary "1000% Me", examining mixed race identity. Where was the line drawn for light-skinned stars like Charlie Grant or John Donaldson? And why? Did the first ever Black Major Leaguer KNOW that he was Black? And how did Blackness evolve in baseball past a skin tone, and into an entire style of play? Laugh and learn with Bob and W. Kamau Bell, as they walk through American history. Stream W. Kamau Bell's "1000% Me" - HBOMaxFollow Bob Kendrick on Twitter - @nlbmprezTo support the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and preserve the legacy of Buck O'Neil, please visit ThanksAMillionBuck.comVisit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City - NLBM.com

Black Diamonds

W. Kamau Bell | How to Define Blackness in Baseball, Plus a Conversation About Glen Kuiper

Meet the man responsible for both the skills of Roy Campanella, and the rise of baseball in Japan. Oh, and he also happened to have his own Hall of Fame resume ON the field. Bob Kendrick, Rich Westcott, and Ray Mackey discuss the life, career, and lasting legacy of Ray's Great Uncle, the legendary Raleigh "Biz" Mackey.   Hear about Raleigh's humble beginnings in Texas and his rise to become a traveling superstar, his multiple Negro Leagues championships two decades apart, his unparalleled ability behind the plate, his invaluable mentorship off the field, and the feats he accomplished on the other side of the world that have STILL not been replicated to this day. But first, join Bob for a VERY special announcement from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, right off the top. Support the Biz Mackey Family Foundation - bizmackey.orgRead Rich Westcott's "Biz Mackey, A Giant Behind the Plate" - AmazonFollow Bob Kendrick on Twitter - @nlbmprezTo support the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and preserve the legacy of Buck O'Neil, please visit ThanksAMillionBuck.comVisit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City - NLBM.com

Ray Mackey, Rich Westcott | The Story of Raleigh "Biz" Mackey

Babe Ruth considered him the greatest player who had ever lived. Derek Jeter called him 'me, but with more power'.   Bob Kendrick and Dr. Wes Singletary tell the story of John Henry "Pop" Lloyd, a Hall of Fame shortstop and the favorite son of Palatka, Florida. Hear about Pop's humble beginnings and meteoric rise through the Negro Leagues, his playing career that extended into his mid-40's, and his legacy that lasts far beyond. And most importantly, learn about the gentlemanly reputation, both in the game and elsewhere, that truly earned the man the nickname "Pop". Read  Dr. Wes Singletary's "The Right Time: John Henry 'Pop' Lloyd and Black Baseball" - AmazonFollow Bob Kendrick on Twitter - @nlbmprezTo support the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and preserve the legacy of Buck O'Neil, please visit ThanksAMillionBuck.comVisit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City - NLBM.com 

Wes Singletary | The Story of John Henry "Pop" Lloyd

Why was there a 45-year gap between the first Black man to play in a World Series, and the first Black man to manage in a World Series?   Former Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston sits down with Bob Kendrick for a wide-ranging discussion about being that first man, breaking barriers as the first Black manager to win a World Series (and doing it twice), the importance of his matchup against Frank Robinson in 1989 as the first two Black managers to go face-to-face, his friendship with Dave Roberts and Dusty Baker and the emotions of seeing them each raise a trophy, the current state of the game for Black leadership, the lessons he learned as Henry Aaron's roommate, his idolization of the greats of the Negro Leagues, and one of the greatest joys of any baseball conversation - Rickey Henderson stories. Follow Bob Kendrick on Twitter - @nlbmprezTo support the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and preserve the legacy of Buck O'Neil, please visit ThanksAMillionBuck.comVisit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City - NLBM.com

Cito Gaston | Breaking Barriers as a Black Manager, and Life with Henry Aaron

In the Summer of 1949, the United States government called on Jackie Robinson to testify in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee against famed actor and activist Paul Robeson, for his ties to the Communist Party. In defending his country, Jackie would be forced to attack a fellow prominent Black voice, fighting the same fight he was - the ultimate no-win situation. But with this platform, he made his voice louder than ever. Authors Jonathan Eig and Michael G. Long join Bob Kendrick to tell the complex story of Jackie Robinson and his activism beyond the baseball field -  the one the history books largely ignore - with the voices of Buck O'Neil and Jackie Robinson. Read Jonathan Eig's "Opening Day: The Story of Jackie Robinson's First Season" - AmazonRed Michael G. Long's "Call Him Jack: The Story of Jackie Robinson, Black Freedom Fighter" - AmazonFollow Bob Kendrick on Twitter - @nlbmprezTo support the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and preserve the legacy of Buck O'Neil, please visit ThanksAMillionBuck.comVisit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City - NLBM.com

Jackie Robinson vs. Paul Robeson vs. The United States of America

Is the greatest manager in baseball history STILL not in the Hall of Fame? Bob Kendrick takes a look at "Vicious" Vic Harris, and the greatest minds of the Negro Leagues. Then Astros Manager Dusty Baker joins Bob to talk about his journey "from carrying Satchel Paige's fishing poles to lifting up a championship trophy", joining Dave Roberts and Cito Gaston as the only Black managers to win a World Series, the hunger to tie Cito with trophy number two, why he wasn't allowed to play quarterback in high school, Willie Stargell, Henry Aaron, and why Yordan Alvarez is the modern-day Mule Suttles. Follow Bob Kendrick on Twitter - @nlbmprezTo support the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and preserve the legacy of Buck O'Neil, please visit ThanksAMillionBuck.comVisit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City - NLBM.com

Dusty Baker | The Story of Vicious Vic Harris

Imagine, stepping into the shoes of Satchel Paige to face Josh Gibson in the 1942 Negro Leagues World Series. With the bases loaded. And with every fielder on your side kneeling around the pitcher's mound.   Starting this week, you can. Bob Kendrick sits down with Sony's Ramone Russell to tell the story of how the two of them have brought the Negro Leagues to life in this year's edition of MLB: The Show, and why it's already bringing baseball history, and American history, to a new generation like never before. Hear how the stadiums, the crowds, the uniforms, the windups, the swings, the slides, and most importantly, the stories were all recreated in living color, and how it all amounts to the most exciting year in the history of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Follow Bob Kendrick on Twitter - @nlbmprezFollow Ramone Russell on Twitter - @Ramone_RussellTo support the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and preserve the legacy of Buck O'Neil, please visit ThanksAMillionBuck.comVisit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City - NLBM.com

Ramone Russell | Bringing the Negro Leagues to MLB: The Show 23

Black Diamonds is back! Bob Kendrick's award-winning series returns with all-new episodes starting March 30th. Follow Bob Kendrick on Twitter - @nlbmprez To support the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and preserve the legacy of Buck O'Neil, please visit ThanksAMillionBuck.com Visit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City - NLBM.com 

Black Diamonds Returns for 2023

Bob Kendrick and Joe Posnanski sit down with their closest friends at the "Thanks a Million, Buck" Hall of Fame Gala in Kansas City, for a night of laughter, storytelling, and celebration of the legend himself, Buck O'Neil. Hear Kenny Lofton on why he's proud to embody the style of the Negro Leagues, Bo Porter on continuing Buck O'Neil's legacy in a Major League dugout, and Dave Stewart on carrying Jackie Robinson's spirit as a rookie with the Dodgers. And hear Joe Carter and Lee Smith tell stories of being scouted and signed by Buck O'Neil, heeding his words to this day, and going head-to-head against each other on the diamond, and on the golf course. Follow Bob Kendrick on Twitter - @nlbmprezTo support the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and preserve the legacy of Buck O'Neil, please visit ThanksAMillionBuck.comVisit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City - NLBM.com

Holiday Special Part Two - Joe Carter, Lee Smith, Kenny Lofton, Bo Porter, and Dave Stewart at the Buck O'Neil Gala

Author Joe Posnanski and MLBPA President Tony Clark join Bob Kendrick at the "Thanks a Million, Buck" Hall of Fame Gala in Kansas City, for a night of laughter, storytelling, and celebration of the legend himself, Buck O'Neil.Follow Bob Kendrick on Twitter - @nlbmprezTo support the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and preserve the legacy of Buck O'Neil, please visit ThanksAMillionBuck.comVisit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City - NLBM.com 

Holiday Special Part One - Joe Posnanski and Tony Clark at the Buck O'Neil Gala

Bob Kendrick remembers the life of a dear friend of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the late Maury Wills. Then author Ralph Wimbish Jr. joins the show to discuss the underappreciated career of a former Kansas City Monarch, the first Black Yankee, the first Black American League MVP, the first Black American League coach, and a man who SHOULD be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame - the great Elston Howard. Read "Elston" by Ralph Wimbish Jr. and Arlene Howard - AmazonFollow Bob Kendrick on Twitter - @nlbmprezTo support the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and preserve the legacy of Buck O'Neil, please visit ThanksAMillionBuck.comVisit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City - NLBM.com

The Story of Elston Howard, with Ralph Wimbish Jr.

Bob  Kendrick and Martha Jo Black tell the story of an amazing man - a former Baltimore Elite Giant, the 1952 NL Rookie of the Year, the first Black pitcher to win a World Series game, Jackie Robinson's roommate, and so so much more - the great Joe Black.Read "More Than a Dodger" by Martha Jo Black - AmazonFollow Bob Kendrick on Twitter - @nlbmprezTo support the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and preserve the legacy of Buck O'Neil, please visit ThanksAMillionBuck.comVisit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City - NLBM.com

The Story of Joe Black, with Martha Jo Black

Former Heisman Trophy Winner and current Tennessee State Head Football Coach Eddie George joins Bob Kendrick to discuss how HBCUs powered the Negro Leagues, and why HBCU athletics are on the rise once again, the barrier breakers of football's history, his journey into coaching, and his current work to bring Black-owned professional baseball to the Major Leagues with the Nashville Stars. Learn more about the Nashville Stars - MLBMusicCity.comFollow Bob Kendrick on Twitter - @nlbmprezTo support the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and preserve the legacy of Buck O'Neil, please visit ThanksAMillionBuck.comVisit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City - NLBM.com

Eddie George

1989 World Series MVP Dave Stewart joins Bob Kendrick in front of a live audience at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to talk about Rickey Henderson, Bob Gibson, Vida Blue, his place among baseball's Black Aces, and his efforts to bring baseball its first Black-owned franchise since the Negro Leagues, with the expansion Nashville Stars. Learn more about the Nashville Stars - MLBMusicCity.comFollow Bob Kendrick on Twitter - @nlbmprezTo support the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and preserve the legacy of Buck O'Neil, please visit ThanksAMillionBuck.comVisit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City - NLBM.com

Dave Stewart, and the Nashville Stars

Eight-time All-Star Darryl Strawberry sits down with Bob Kendrick for an intimate conversation about Black baseball - discussing what he owes to the Negro Leagues, the style and flair of Black baseball, how he would've never been a Major Leaguer if it weren't for Dave Parker, his upbringing from Crenshaw to the Bigs alongside Eric Davis, battling addiction as a pro, his work with the Players Alliance, the message he now spreads across the country, and just how to revive baseball in the Black community.Follow Bob Kendrick on Twitter - @nlbmprezTo support the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and preserve the legacy of Buck O'Neil, please visit ThanksAMillionBuck.comVisit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City - NLBM.com

Darryl Strawberry

SiriusXM and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum will present an exclusive new podcast series, Black Diamonds. Hosted by museum president and historian Bob Kendrick, the podcast will showcase the history of the Negro Leagues, highlighting the players, people and events that shaped them, as well as spotlighting the leagues’ achievements and innovations during a time of segregation and inequality. Listeners will hear the stories of baseball legends like Jackie Robinson, Oscar Charleston, Josh Gibson and Satchel Paige, and important figures like Rube Foster, Effa Manley, Buck O’Neil and many more.

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Black Diamonds

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