The Black Baseball Mixtape

Happy Juneteenth BBM Family!

We're right in the middle of a fascinating College World Series. Here are a few players to watch: TCU's Tre Richardson & Austin Davis, Tennessee's Christian Scott and Christian Moore, Standford's Drew Bowser and Braden Montgomery, and LSU's Tre Morgan.

The games are going on right now in Omaha.

Check out these exciting players.

The BBM Group Chat (on Discord) has been on fire, talking about Tim Anderson's podcast episode on The Pivot. Our very own Cheats weighs in with thoughts about Black baseball fans and media.

Brand New on the BBM podcast: Flobo Flow Ep. 1 - Stock Up, Stock Down: Are you buying stock in the 1st place Arizona Diamondbacks?

David James has spent a lifetime encouraging young men and women to "Play Ball." He is the Vice President of Baseball and Softball Development at MLB. He oversees MLB's grassroots efforts, including the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities program, better known as RBI.

On this podcast episode, David and I get into everything. I asked him about the RBI program's evolution and the path to encourage more Black and Brown kids to play baseball. I asked him about his love for the game and how it developed over his life. I asked him about their partnerships with MLB, MiLB, and the principal sponsor Nike. David is a wealth of knowledge, and we discuss it all.

This episode is truly a learning opportunity. It's a chance for you to understand the work that goes into MLB Development at the grassroots level. And it's a chance to meet an outstanding leader in David James.

As always, please like, review, and share this episode. BBM genuinely appreciates your support.

Should the Yankees do a Nike City Connect Uniform?

Throughout my journey of interviewing Black baseball players, I'm not often able to visit with HBCU graduates in the pro ranks. Carter Williams, 25, outfielder for the Richmond Flying Squirrels, not only plays for my hometown team but is also a graduate of North Carolina Central.

On this quick podcast episode, Carter talks about his adjustment to pro baseball, adding meditation to his game (and life), and his early love for the game.

The NC native is making the most of his opportunity in AA baseball. He's quickly becoming a fan favorite with the Squirrels and a player to watch in the Giants' org.

Please like, subscribe, and review the Black Baseball Mixtape.

Shakeia Taylor is an award-winning journalist and editor. She is a Senior Deputy Editor at the Chicago Tribune — an all-around rockstar & "Everyone's Homegirl."

And she is our guest on this episode of Mixtape Talk.

Shakeia has been on our guest "Dream List" since the inception of BBM. She is a passionate baseball fan and a fantastic sports and culture writer. She hosts the monthly podcast "Ballpark Figures," where she talks with some of the biggest and brightest in the game.

In 2021, Shakeia won the SABR Analytics Conference Research Award and an AP Sports Editor Award. Her writing often lands at the intersection of baseball and Black culture, and it's a much-needed perspective in today's baseball media landscape.

This wide-ranging episode covers Shakeia's origins in baseball fandom (and writing). How she views the intertwining of baseball and Black culture, and the future of baseball and sports media. It's a fantastic episode.

Please follow Shakeia @Curlyfro on Twitter. She is a must-follow.

Everyone loves a good list, right? Well, the Black Baseball Mixtape (BBM) is no different. We love to debate a great list. Debate is our thing. This is your window into the Black baseball barbershop conversation. For those who live it: You already know what it is.

Who is the greatest MCs of all time: Jay-Z, BIG, Nas, Kendrick, Drake, Black Thought? There are no wrong answers — just be prepared to stand by your word.

What is the best TV series: The Wire, Breaking Bad, Friday Night Lights, Vanderpump Rules? (Okay, I added that last one ). Who is the best baseball player of all time: Mays, Bonds, Paige, Trout, Shohei?

You get the point: WE LOVE THE DEBATE LIST!

This list informs you about the best young African-American players in baseball: 24 years old and younger. This list is not for prospects. Therefore you will not see names like Druw Jones, Temarr Johnson, or Elijah Green — all of which will be on this list one day. This list is for those in The Show or right on the cusp. So, let’s get it going.

Follow the Black Baseball Mixtape on Instagram and Twitter.

You can join our Discord group chat by DMing us on IG.

Matt Frazier is an exciting young prospect for the Pittsburg Pirates—the left-handed hitting OF burst on the scene with a breakout season two years ago. He is now the starting centerfielder for the Altoona Curve. Cheats (BBM) sat down with Matt this week in Richmond to introduce him to the BBM community. Matt talked about playing baseball from a very young age (3), having a father who played pro ball as his mentor, and his passion for fashion.

Matt is the type of player the Mixtape community should follow and rally around. He is thoughtful, passionate, and a hell of a player. This episode is fun, entertaining, and educational.

Please follow and subscribe to the podcast. I'm going to ask you to rate and review the show.

You can follow Matt at MattFraizer3 on IG.

If you want to talk about Oakland baseball, you can’t get any better than Bip Roberts and Dave Stewart. These two Oakland legends were our featured guests on last night’s BBM IG Live.

Please check out the conversation and subscribe to the Black Baseball Mixtape Podcast. BBM is the fastest-growing baseball podcast dedicated to highlighting Black culture within the game.

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