The Black Baseball Mixtape

On this episode of Mixtape Talk, Cheats is joined by Mike Sanders of Roc Nation Sports.Mike is a former University of Miami baller who transitioned to player advocacy and representation after his playing days ended.Mike’s success is rooted in presenting his authentic self in every situation. Being true to who he is has allowed him to connect, understand and mentor young athletes as they start their journey in professional sports.He has worked with some of baseball’s most captivating stars through Roc Nation: players like Jazz Chisholm (1st team all-BBM swag) and newly signed Marcus Stroman. He also has some of the game’s brightest up-and-coming prospects under the Roc umbrella: 2022 #4 overall pick Temarr Johnson and 2020 2nd round pick Masyn Winn.Mike mixes hip-hop culture with baseball in a contemporary but forward-looking way. People like Mike in the game will help make baseball more accessible for future generations of Black baseball players.Check out the conversation. You don’t want to miss it.Please subscribe to the Black Baseball Mixtape on all social media and podcast platforms. And visit the blog at blackbaseballmixtape.com.

On this episode of Mixtape Talk, Cheats speaks with Jay Caldwell and Graig Kreindler, the creators of the new book, “Black Baseball in Living Color.” The 250-page book features nearly 240 of Graig’s color portraits he created while working with Jay on a centennial project for the Negro League Baseball Museum.The book explores the players and events that shaped Black baseball from the nineteenth century through the twenty-first century, presenting a look at Black baseball that you’ve never seen before. The book dedicates five of its twelve chapters to seminal figures Negro Leagues history: Rube Foster, Satchel Paige, Cool Papa Bell, Josh Gibson, and Jackie Robinson. Jay and four other SABR authors wrote those chapters. Some other chapters highlight other important aspects of Black baseball, like the Latin Winter Leagues, the dead ball era, and the years after Jackie’s integration.During the conversation, Jay and Graig discuss the book’s origins and how their work has captivated a vast audience. You don’t want to miss this light and fun conversation.Black Baseball in Living color can be pre-ordered right now at Baseballartll.com. The books will be shipped in December.Please follow Graig Kreindler everywhere on social media  @Graig Kreindler  And, of course, follow the Black Baseball Mixtape at @BBallMixtape.

Patrick Ellington has become one of my favorite baseball writers this season. His bylines appeared on MLB.com, Baseball Prospectus, SABR, and Baseball America. He also has a fantastic Medium blog that profiles Black baseball players in MLB and MiLB. Patrick and I discuss Dusty Baker's championship, Black prospects, and the current state of Black baseball. Please follow Patrick on Twitter at @Tangilble_UnoFollow the Black Baseball Mixtape on all social media platforms. Stay tuned for more Mixtape talks coming very soon.

On this edition of Mixtape Talk, Cheats visits with three-time Emmy award-winning director Randy Wilkins. Randy directed the seven-part ESPN miniseries The Captain, about the life and career of Yankees Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter.Randy is a fascinating person. A former baseball player himself from the Bronx. Had it not been for an injury, he might have been on the field instead of behind the camera.During the interview, Randy and Cheats discuss his love for the game, his Yankee fandom, and, of course, Derek Jeter. This is an interview you don’t want to miss.Please follow and subscribe to the Black Baseball Mixtape on all social media. And please retweet and reshare this interview. Twitter: BBallMixtape IG: BlackBaseballMixtape

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. Please subscribe to this podcast and follow the Mixtape on Twitter and IG.

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.Please follow the Black Baseball Mixtape on IG and Twitter.

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.As always, please subscribe to the Black Baseball Mixtape on social media.Reach out to me on Twitter and IG.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. Please follow Memphis Baseball and the Black Baseball Mixtape.

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.Please subscribe to the Black Baseball Mixtape on all social media platforms. Twitter @BBallMixtape IG: BlackBaseballMixtape

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.Please subscribe to the Black Baseball Mixtape on social media. Twitter: @BballMixtapeIG: BlackBaseballMixtape

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.Follow the Black Baseball Mixtape blog and social media accounts.Twitter: @BBallMixape IG: BlackBaseballMixtape

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 TiktokPlease follow the Black Baseball Mixtape on IG: BlackBaseballMixtape – Twitter: @Bballmixtape

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.Please follow the Cheats Movement Podcast on all social media. And follow The FAMILY podcast network (thefamilypn.com).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.