Are you surprised by the rapid rise of the White Sox? I think you have to be. If the MLB playoffs started today, the Sox would be the second seed in the American League. There is a long way to go before the playoffs, but this morning we took a look at the playoff picture.

For the next five (5) years, who would you rather have on your team: Jordan Walker (Cardinals) or James Wood (Nats)?

THEY ARE BOTH STARS - no shade to either player, just fun baseball debate. Let me know in the comments.

Also, Derek Hill may have made the web gem of the season! All of that and more on today FYB.

Happy Friday! We’re wrapping up a busy week here at the Mixtape. Please check out our first article in the news series “All About the Money,” written by @buttamane.baseball - Are you paying attention to the MLB Combine? Are you paying attention to the Nats bullpen? Did you see Tyler Tolbert on the mound…things are getting out of hand. All of that and more. FYB.

First and foremost, please allow me to start this episode of FYB by honestly and truthfully congratulating the Mets for a successful Black Legacy Night. The Mixtape was not in the building last night, but I believe the crew will be there in the future. Our mission is to share the intersection of baseball and Black culture for all to appreciate. Club access helps, but it’s not a driving force for the mission. With that, it was a huge night in MLB for several of our Mixtape friends: congrats to Mookie Betts on his 300th home run! Samad Taylor, Braden Montgomery, and Khalil Watson all stayed hot. Even Cam Smith flashed the leather in right field. Enjoy the highlights. I will see you tomorrow.

Friends of the @blackbaseballmixtape are showing out all over MLB. Khalil Watson hit his first MLB home run, Nasim Nuñez is the first MLB player to 30 stolen bases, and even my guy Chuckie Robinson is back in the BIGS with the Dodgers. Cam Smith and Taylor Trammell went Black-to-Black for the Astros. And, Jazz is just going to be Jazz. There are no words to describe seeing players you cover achieve their dreams in the Major Leagues. Mixtape Family, our platform is growing and becoming one of the most authentic media platforms for Black baseball at every level of the game. Let’s keep the ball rolling here on IG and Substack. Oh, and Finish Your Breakfast.

I went over the 3-minute IG time limit because I think this message is important and encouraging. Last night’s OU victory was not just a win for Sooner Nation; it was a win for diversity in college baseball - more so, a win for diversity programs in baseball. @mlbdevelops @mbptakeover @astros_ya all had a hand in the fabric of the national championship team. These programs (and others like them) have been grinding for years with little attention, but their efforts are evident throughout the landscape of college baseball. OU had two African Americans in their everyday starting lineup, and both made the MCWS All-Tournament Team (Dasan Harris and Jason Walk). The Mercurius brothers (Xander and LJ) both contributed on the mound in Omaha, along with Jaden Barfield. These contributions at the highest level do not happen in a vacuum. There are parents, coaches, mentors, and programs that create environments where these young men can thrive. Congrats to Coach Skip Johnson and the entire OU staff.

One game will determine it all for the college baseball championship. Who you got: UNC or Oklahoma?

I feel like I owe Oklahoma baseball an apology. They won the Atlanta regional, beating GA Tech. They swept the Super Regional, beating Kansas on their way to Omaha. OU has several African American players on their team, and two in the everyday starting nine, and yet I have not talked about them nearly enough. I feel you, OU. You get the well-deserved spotlight today. OU got a big win against Georgia last night. Georgia will now face Texas in an elimination game. Byron Buxton continues to be unreal for the Twins. Chase Burns is forging a path to the All-Star Game, and PCA hit for the cycle.

Finish Your Breakfast: 6.15.2026 - World Cup fans invade Fenway (didn’t help the Red Sox), Sir Lewis Hamilton gets a win, the Knicks are NBA Champions, and James Wood keeps hitting homers. Let’s go!

The New York Knicks are NBA Champions!

And some baseball - but mostly the NEW YORK KNICKS NBA CHAMPIONS!

Finish Your Breakfast 6.14.2026