On today's episode of The 27th Inning, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Vice President and Curator Dr. Raymond Doswell joins the show to talk about the history of the Negro Leagues and some of its notable figures — including former players like Josh Gibson and Buck O'Neill, the work of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the recent elevation of several Negro Leagues to major league status.

To commemorate the 101 year anniversary of the Negro National League, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is trying to raise $101,000 to help continue their efforts to expand and preserve the many stories of the Negro Leagues. To help them in their efforts, consider making a donation today at nlbm.com/donations/

Former Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager Fred Claire comes on the show this week to talk about his journey from growing up as a Reds fan, to becoming the general manager of the Dodgers, to helping build the 1988 World Series championship team. During this hour-long conversation Claire talks in depth about several of the notable transactions he was involved in throughout his career and his memories of friends that he made during his time in the Dodgers organization. Now, he works to help promote the work of City of Hope after the staff and workers there helped him through his battle with skin cancer. HIs book, "Extra Innings: Fred Claire’s Journey to City of Hope and Finding a World Championship Team" describes his career with the Dodgers and his experiences with City of Hope while fighting cancer, and all net proceeds from sales of his book are donated directly to City of Hope. You can find his book now on Amazon, and be sure to check out cityofhope.org to learn more about their organization, and to donate and help make a difference today.

On the final day of the 2021 MLB Draft, listen to this compilation of former players as they talk about their memories of being drafted by a Major League Baseball franchise. In this bonus episode, you'll hear from: Mike Moore (1981 Rd 1), Lary Sorensen (1976 Rd 8), Landon Powell (2004 Rd 1), Chris Shelton (2001 Rd 33), Brent Lillibridge (2005 Rd 4), Scott Bradley (1981 Rd 3), Mark Wohlers (1988 Rd 8), Bronson Arroyo (1995 Rd 3), Bret Saberhagen (1982 Rd 19), Jerry Reuss (1967 Rd 2), Benny Agbayani (1993 Rd 30) and Lyle Overbay (1999 Rd 18)

Former pitcher Ila Borders comes on the show in this week's episode to talk about her journey as one of the first women to play in men's professional baseball. She recounts the challenges that she faced and the triumphs that she achieved over her career playing in college — where she earned fame as the first woman to both win a collegiate baseball game and earn a baseball scholarship — and her career playing in independent league baseball with the St. Paul Saints, Duluth-Superior Dukes, Madison Black Wolf and Zion Pioneerz. She now enjoys her second career as a firefighter, where she also works to help promote inclusivity and diversity in the fire service through her organization, Fire Up Bootcamp. Check out their website at fireupbootcamp.com to learn more about their mission and how you can donate and help them in their cause.

In the first installment of the Legends of the Game bonus series, you'll hear from former pitcher and outfielder Dick Hall, who spent 19 years in MLB playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles. Over the course of this episode, Hall will recount stories ranging from his first experiences playing baseball as a child, to being signed by the Pirates, to playing in Mexico to winning the World Series in Baltimore in 1970. Along the way, you'll also hear his memories of his former teammate Roberto Clemente, as well as the experiences that helped improve his performances at the plate and on the mound that led to a successful 19-year career in Major League Baseball.