Black Diamonds

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

It’s a new era in baseball history as Josh Gibson now sits atop many MLB all-time leaderboards and numerous other great Negro Leaguers are now found in the top 10. Bob Kendrick discusses the significance of Major League Baseball’s decision to finally incorporate the Negro Leagues into the MLB record book and what it means for the players and the leagues to be officially recognized. Bob’s joined by historians John Thorn and Phil Dixon as they reveal how the committee uncovered the records, which players are finally getting long overdue recognition and what their findings mean for baseball history.

Black Diamonds is back! The award-winning podcast of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum returns with all-new episodes telling the sport's most incredible stories, starting August 14th.