It’s been 75 years since Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball, becoming the first Black player to take the field in Major League Baseball in 1947. Jackie was a specific player chosen at a specific time, when baseball was highly aligned with Black popular culture. But what happened between baseball and Black America in the decades after Jackie’s pivotal act? Why didn’t baseball become a majority Black sport, like basketball and football? Why didn’t MLB follow the culture into hip hop or grow its Black fan base? Jesse Washington uses his own lapsed baseball fandom to explore these questions with guests like Public Enemy’s Chuck D, Jackie’s son David Robinson, and current players and executives.
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After Jackie: What Happened with Baseball and Black America?

ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney leads the baseball discussion alongside other top analysts.

Sports

Jake Peavy and Buster discuss a celebrity wearing Jake’s jersey on TV, how he would fix the MLB pitching crisis, and his memories of clinching the World Series in Fenway Park. Then, Guardians play-by-play voice Tom Hamilton on the keys to Cleveland’s early season success, the franchise continuing to produce great pitching and the rest of the AL Central. Then, Sarah Langs on her favorite ballpark, Mike Trout leading the league in home runs, and if the Dodgers should considering taking Shohei Ohtani off the mound. Later, Todd Radom meets another Buster, shares this week’s Beyond the Ballpark and administers the quiz.
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6:02 Jake Peavy
24:22 Tom Hamilton
39:39 Sarah Langs
50:18 Todd Radom
1:00:21 Bleacher Tweets
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Billie Eilish’s Favorite Pitcher

Hembo and Buster discuss Aaron Boone’s reputation ejection, José Abreu’s impossibly bad start, the Cardinals lineup being in real trouble, and what to make of Aaron Judge early on. Then, Mike Trout calls in on his way to the ballpark to talk about being in the league for 14 years, Shohei Ohtani’s development, pitchers that are a tough out, parenting an athlete, which position the Eagles should select in the first round of the NFL Draft, and if MLB teams should be able to trade picks.
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10:02 Aaron Boone gets ejected
13:02 Hembo
36:03 Mike Trout
52:35 Bleacher Tweets
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Mike Trout Day

Karl Ravech and Buster discuss Eduardo Pérez doling out shoes to a home run hitting Adolis Garcia, their thoughts on the Rangers and Braves, and the passing of longtime ESPN producer Howie Schwab. Then, Sarah Langs on Shohei Ohtani’s milestone, Elly de la Cruz’s once in a century event and Travis d’Arnaud’s three home run night. Next, Jeff Passan talks about the Astros’ continued struggles, the Mets turning it on, the Orioles offense looking “really really” good, Jackson Holliday’s struggles, Aaron Judge getting booed in Yankee Stadium, and Jeff’s theory on why Corey Seager opened up in a recent interview. Later, audio from Jeff’s interview with Seager.
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7:09 Clown Car w/ Karl Ravech
16:51 Sarah Langs
26:01 Jeff Passan
53:36 Passan w/ Corey Seager
57:38 Bleacher Tweets
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Mr. Costas

Tim Kurkjian and Buster discuss the best locker room players and managers they’ve covered in their careers, the NL and AL Central gaining strength, the soft bottom third of the Dodgers’ lineup, Peter Fairbanks’ salty postgame press conference, and Tim’s memories of Whitey Herzog. Then, the Pirates’ Rowdy Tellez stops by to talk about defending David Bednar after a rough outing, when he decided to jump in during the media scrum, his role models as a young player, and how good Pittsburgh can be in 2024. Next, Todd Radom shares this week’s Ballpark & Beyond, and administers the quiz. Later, Sarah Langs on Tanner Houck’s 1 hour 49 minute outing, Jack Leiter making his major league debut, the Orioles mashing home runs, and if is the best version of Mookie Betts we’ve ever seen.
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7:07 Tim Kurkjian
24:01 Rowdy Tellez
33:36 Todd Radom
44:49 Sarah Langs
53:08 Bleacher Tweets
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Good Teammates

Hembo and Buster discuss Mike Trout back to being Mike Trout, clear path for the Reds to make the playoffs, most unwatchable team, and the Mets’ need to rebuild their pitching pipeline. Then, the Brewers’ Christian Yelich stops by to talk about Hembo’s question on pull side hitting, how he became a power hitter, when he noticed Milwaukee’s offense coming together, and his pal Rowdy Tellez. Then, some of John Sterling’s best calls. Later, Jessica Mendoza on experiencing Jackie Robinson Day at Dodger Stadium, CJ Abrams and the Nationals having fun, and the early warts shown by the Dodgers. 
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9:49 Hembo
25:24 Christian Yelich
37:15 The best John Sterling calls
43:35 Jessica Mendoza
55:11 Bleacher Tweets 
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After Jackie: What Happened with Baseball and Black America?

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