Coach Ethan Pollock is heading into his 19th season at Presbyterian College.

He is the longest-tenured Black Head Coach in D1 baseball. On this episode of Mixtape Talk, I chat with Coach Pollock about his unusual journey into coaching. His passion for the game. And, what can be done to increase Black coaches in the college ranks.

There are only five Black head coaches in D1 baseball outside of HBCUs (13 total). This interview completes all five. The Black Baseball Mixtape is honored to present these talks. Please watch all of them.

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On this episode of Mixtape Talk, Cheats chats with newly-minted Marist Head Coach Lance Ratchford. Coach Ratchford is returning to Poughkeepsie, NY, to lead a baseball program he once served as an assistant coach from 2016-2018. During that time, he helped guide the Red Foxes to the 2017 MAAC Championship and a trip to the NCAA Regional.

Coach Ratchford discusses a wide range of topics, including the process of being offered and accepting the head coaching job, his journey to becoming one of the youngest coachings in all of D1 baseball, his approach to completing his coaching staff, recruiting new players, and maintaining a solid roster of returning players.

He also dives into the growing number of Black coaching in Division I collegiate baseball and what actions can be taken to improve diversity within the coaching ranks.

This is another Mixtape Talk that you don’t want to miss.

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On this special edition of Mixtape Talk, Cheats is joined by award-winning author and journalist Howard Bryant about his latest book, Rickey: The Life and Legend of an American Original.

The book is fascinating as Howard digs deep into topics like the great migration of Black from the American South to the west coast. He talks about the explosion of money in baseball during the late 70s and 80s; and the treatment of Black players, such as Rickey, by white owners, such as George Steinbrenner. Howard writes about it all. And by doing so, he paints a picture of one of the most dynamic, misunderstood, and legendary players the game has ever seen: Rickey Henderson.

Buckle up…Mixtape Talk 007 featuring Howard Bryant is a doozy.

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Thank you for your fantastic support.

On this special edition of Mixtape Talk, I speak with Memphis University Head Coach Kerrick Jackson.

Coach Jackson is one of the most respected coaches in the fraternity of Black skippers. He has coached at every collegiate level and spent time away from coaching, serving as an MLB scout, baseball agent (with the Boras Corporation), and the President of the MLB Draft League.

In 2017, he led Southern University from 9 wins (2018) to the SWAC Championship and a birth in the NCAA tournament in 2019. In June 2022, at the time of his hire, Jackson became the 3rd Black coach selected to lead a PWI DI program and the first Black coach ever to lead the Memphis Tigers. As he says in the conversation, his selection was not only the right hire based on merit but also a statement appointment for the University and the community of Memphis. This conversation is insightful and fun.

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On this special edition of Mixtape Talk, Cheats goes one-on-one with Head Coach Blake Beemer of Butler University.

Coach Beemer is one of the youngest head coaches in all Division I baseball and one of only twelve Black head coaches in DI baseball.

In this fantastic conversation, Coach Beemer talks about his journey through the college baseball coaching ranks, his grit and determination to create his path and the future of the Butler Baseball program. This is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

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Regaining Big East Baseball Coach of the Year Edwin Thompson, AKA Coach T, took over the Georgetown baseball team in 2020. He has already led the program to a record number of wins in his second season (32). Coach T is one of the most respected coaches in all of college baseball, and, at an age far too young to be considered a legend (42) – he is, in fact, a legend among the Black coaching ranks.

Of the 299 schools that will field baseball teams next season in the NCAA’s Division I, only 12 of them will have Black head coaches; none in Power 5 conferences. Coach T has spent the last few years looking into the challenge of diversity in college baseball and forming a path for young Black coaches to succeed.

On this episode of Mixtape Talk, I (Cheats) go one-on-one with Coach T. It’s a diverse conversation about his background, mission, philosophy, and legacy. Enjoy.

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There is nothing better than talking baseball with two of the most knowledgeable brothers following the game. On this episode of Mixtape Talk, I (Cheats) chopped it up with Clinton Yates (ESPN/ANDSCAPE) & Alex Hyacinthe (ESPN Daily Podcast).

We talked about the positive growth in the game. We discussed if the Black community needs certified stars to grow the game beyond the casual fan. What we would do if we were the Commissioner of baseball. What’s next for Aaron Judge. And what is getting us excited about the sport right now.

There is no doubt — baseball is lit right now. We’re heading into the All-Star break, and anything can happen. Talking Black baseball with Clinton and Alex was a pure treat. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

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I’m so excited to introduce you to Caleb Green. Caleb is one of nine members of the 2022 MLB Creator Class. The MLB Creator Class are brand ambassadors charged with creating fantastic content to help grow the game.

Learn more about Caleb, the MLB Creative Class, and fun tidbits like who’d he like to pitch to in this BBM exclusive interview. Please follow Caleb at @Chayyy_luppp on IG and Tiktok

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RECORDED ON APRIL 11, 2022: On this episode, Cheats goes one-on-one with certified Major League Baseball agent Lonnie Murray. Ms. Murray is not your average baseball agent; she is the first Black woman ever to be certified by the MLBPA. And for many years, Lonnie was the only certified Black woman to serve as an agent in all major league baseball.

Lonnie talks about her journey — her triumphs and challenges and what makes her exemplary in such a white male-dominated industry. She also shares her thoughts on the recent MLB lockout and what it will take to grow baseball in Black communities.

You don’t want to miss this episode. Truth be told, you’ll want to share this episode with anyone interested in baseball, being a sports agent, or even a pioneering CEO. This episode has it all.

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Special thanks to the VPM/ICA community media center.

RECORDED ON JANUARY 10, 2022: I have a special guest on today’s episode: Former Professional Baseball Player Xavier Scruggs.

X came across my radar because of his work in baseball media with ESPN and the MLB Network. He hosts an excellent podcast called “The Bigs” on MLB Network and is also very active on social media, posting and vlogging often. In addition to all of that, X is an entrepreneur. He started Xtraordinary Athletes, a business that helps athletes take their brand to the next level. And finally, is the diversity and equality consultant for the St. Louis Cardinals.