Hear Don Newcombe’s full length conversation with former Negro Leaguer and Dodgers teammate Lou Johnson. From growing up in New Jersey to experiences in the Negro Leagues and his bond with Jackie Robinson and Roy Campenella as they trailblazed baseball, Newcombe describes in vivid detail the challenges, obstacles and the overt racism he experienced on and off the field. Newcombe also discusses his battle with alcoholism and how his journey enabled him to help teammates with their own struggles. You’ll also hear Newcombe reflect on his friendship with Martin Luther King Jr., and the impact the Negro League pioneers had on the Civil Rights Movement.

Bob Kendrick tells the pioneering story of Don Newcombe. In a turbulent time in America, Newcombe exhibited the resilience and determination that were hallmarks of the Negro Leagues. In an interview at the NLBM with former Negro Leaguer and Dodgers OF Lou Johnson, you’ll hear Newcombe in his own words: From his humble beginnings growing up in New Jersey, to joining the Negro Leagues as a teen, to winning Rookie of the Year and multiple MVP awards with the Dodgers, to his role in the Civil Rights Movement. Don Newcombe was a trailblazer and along with Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella, endured racial animus to play baseball and reshape American society.

Bill Veeck was a baseball visionary and pioneer with an important connection to the Negro Leagues - He was the man responsible for integrating the American League. Veeck respected the talent of the Negro Leagues and the business of the Negro Leagues - purchasing the contract of Larry Doby from Newark Eagles owner, Effa Manley. Later, Veeck brought an aging yet ageless Satchel Paige to the Major Leagues with the Indians and the Browns. Former Red Sox All-Star Rico Petrocelli joins Bob to discuss facing Satchel in 1965 when Satchel returned to baseball with the Kansas City Athletics.

Following in the footsteps of such trailblazers as Buck O’Neil and Frank Robinson, Kerrick Jackson made history when he was hired as the first black baseball head coach in SEC history. After his success with Southern University and the University of Memphis, Kerrick accepted the Missouri Tigers job prior to the 2024 season. Kerrick joins Bob Kendrick to discuss his vision for the program and his role as a pioneer of diversity in college baseball.

Ken Burns joins Bob Kendrick to discuss the making of his 1994 landmark documentary “Baseball” and the episode “Shadow Ball” which highlighted the stars of the Negro Leagues and revealed Buck O’Neil to a worldwide audience for the first time. Bob and Ken discuss the influence of the Negro Leagues on Civil Rights, the pivotal roles Jackie Robinson, Buck O’Neil and Henry Aaron played in that progress, how the public’s understanding and appreciation of the Negro Leagues continues to grow and how Ken’s friendship with Buck O’Neil enriched his life. Bob also discusses Ken Burns’s latest project, “Leonardo da Vinci.” And, for the first time publicly released, hear Ken’s moving eulogy at Buck O’Neil’s memorial service in 2006.

Join Bob Kendrick and Royals Broadcaster Joel Goldberg at the Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, as they induct five Royals legends - Amos Otis, John Mayberry, Frank White, Willie Wilson and Hal McRae - into the Negro League Baseball Museum's "Hall of Game." The NLBM's 2024 class commemorates the 100th anniversary of the first Negro League World Series, won by the 1924 Kansas City Monarchs. In addition, Diego Seguí receives the José Méndez Beisbol Legend Award given for Lifetime Achievement and to celebrate the historical connection between the Negro Leagues and Spanish-speaking countries around the globe.

The Black Press played an integral role in elevating the stature of the Negro Leagues and helping preserve its history. With newspapers like the Chicago Defender, Pittsburgh Courier and New York Amsterdam News at the forefront of social consciousness and the push for Civil Rights, their platforms were essential to the integration of baseball. 2025 Ford C. Frick Award nominee Dave Sims joins Bob Kendrick to discuss his path from sportswriter to renowned play-by-play broadcaster.

One of Jackie Robinson's last wishes was to one day see a black manager in Major League Baseball. Among those carrying on Jackie's wish and legacy is Angels Manager Ron Washington. A self-described baseball lifer and generational giant, Ron joins Bob Kendrick to discuss the tremendous impact he's had on the game of baseball.

Bob Kendrick is joined by Ferguson "Fergie" Jenkins. They discuss his upbringing in Ontario as a multi-sport star, the influence of his father who once played for the semi-pro Chatham Coloured All-Stars, getting discovered by the Phillies at the age of 15, and becoming a dominant pitcher with the Cubs en route to 284 wins and a Hall of Fame career.

Chasing a record once thought to be unbreakable, Henry Aaron battled through discrimination and death threats to become the all-time home run king. As the man who threw the fateful pitch that resulted in #715, Al Downing joins Bob Kendrick to discuss that historic night on April 8, 1974. And hear reflections from Dusty Baker – the man who was in the on-deck circle as history was made.

The stories and impact of the Black baseball experience continue to gain recognition. Bob Kendrick talks with President of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Josh Rawitch, about its groundbreaking new exhibit in Cooperstown, "The Souls of the Game: Voices of Black Baseball."

Almost 80 years later, Josh Gibson’s larger-than-life persona continues to inspire. Bob talks with Dorian Hairston, a former University of Kentucky baseball player, about the impact the stories of Josh Gibson had on him, and how they influenced his poetry.

Bob Kendrick discusses the evolution of black leadership in baseball, beginning with the vision of Negro Leagues pioneer Rube Foster. He's joined by former Marlins GM and current MLB executive Michael Hill, whose Front Office & On-Field Diversity Pipeline Program is bringing in new, young talent into the game.

As the white owner of a Negro League baseball team, J.L. Wilkinson turned the Kansas City Monarchs into a model franchise. Over a dozen Hall of Famers wore the uniform as the Monarchs won 12 league titles and 2 Negro League World Series championships with star-studded rosters including the likes of Satchel Paige, Jose Mendez, Bullet Rogan, Buck O’Neil, and a young Jackie Robinson. Bob Kendrick explores the legacy of the Monarchs and recognizes the first team to bring a championship to Kansas City with the grandson of J.L. Wilkinson, Ed Catron.

The Negro Leagues were known for their brash, daring and exciting style of play. In this episode, Bob Kendrick discusses the speed, athleticism and bold base running that was routinely on display. He’s joined by Hall of Famer Tim Raines, whose own unique style was reminiscent of the Negro Leagues.

Bob Kendrick discusses the impact of the 1976 sports comedy film “The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings”, loosely based on the barnstorming days of the Indianapolis Clowns. Bob remembers the life and legacy of James Earl Jones, who stars alongside Richard Pryor and Billy Dee Williams. Bob also talks with author William Brashler, whose fictional novel inspired the film, about his motivation for penning the book and its place in Negro Leagues lore.

Approximately 40 percent of Negro Leaguers were college educated – more than the players in the Major Leagues during that time. Bob Kendrick discusses the impact of black college baseball and how HBCU programs helped disprove the perception of that time that Negro League players didn’t have the intelligence required to play in the Major Leagues. How the college baseball programs acted as the minor leagues for the Negro Leagues and the impact the Negro League players had in their community following their playing careers. Bob also talks with Hall of Famer and Florida A&M alum Andre Dawson about being one of three HBCU alumni enshrined in Cooperstown and the influence the school had on his life and career.

The East-West All-Star Game was a showcase of baseball talent that drew fans from all over. A game so grand, it consistently drew more fans than the MLB All-Star Game. Bob Kendrick reflects on the origin of the East-West game, its impact on the community and talks about the legacy of the game with Tony Gwynn Jr. and Josh Barfield, two former players who participated in the East-West Classic game played at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown.

Bob Kendrick discusses the epic feats of baseball’s greatest power hitter, Josh Gibson. Hall of Famers Ted Williams, Satchel Paige and Roy Campanella all testified to his incredible ability. His peers recalled Gibson’s home runs as if they were measured in miles, not feet. A larger than life figure, Gibson was often compared to Babe Ruth, with some even calling Ruth – “The White Josh Gibson.” Hear about his prodigious power, the rarity of a catcher employing a five-tool skill set and how his life ended far too soon. NL MVP Ryan Howard joins the conversation to reflect on Gibson’s legacy and place in the baseball record book.

Bob Kendrick reflects on MLB’s Tribute to the Negro Leagues at Rickwood Field. With emotions heightened by the passing of Willie Mays, Bob discusses the importance of Rickwood, America’s oldest ballpark and home of the Birmingham Black Barons, hosting an MLB game and the significance of the history making moment with ESPN’s Clinton Yates, Orioles great Adam Jones, Yankees legend CC Sabathia and comedian Roy Wood Jr.