The Forgotten League, Ep. 2: Golden Age - Reclaimed

Summary

Reclaimed: The Forgotten League, Episode 2: Golden Age — Detailed Summary

Introduction

In Episode 2 of Reclaimed: The Forgotten League, titled "Golden Age," ABC News host Vanessa Ivey Rose delves into the vibrant history of the Negro Leagues during baseball's golden era. The episode explores the challenges, triumphs, and significant figures that shaped black baseball, culminating in the creation of the East West Classic. Through engaging storytelling and expert insights, Rose paints a comprehensive picture of a time when Negro League baseball not only thrived despite segregation but also became a cornerstone of the African American community.

Historical Context: The Birth of the Negro National League

The episode begins by setting the stage in the early 20th century, a period when baseball was solidifying its status as America's pastime. Post-World War I, the proliferation of radios allowed fans nationwide to engage with the sport like never before. Concurrently, the Great Migration saw hundreds of thousands of black Americans move from the South to industrial hubs in the North, creating fertile ground for Negro League teams.

Vanessa Ivey Rose narrates the formation of the Negro National League in 1920 by Rube Foster, a pivotal figure in black baseball. Unlike today's Major League Baseball (MLB), early black baseball lacked formal structures, leading to instability with teams frequently folding or players jumping contracts. Foster's introduction of a standardized schedule and contractual obligations provided much-needed stability, enabling the Negro National League to flourish despite these initial challenges.

Key Figures and Rivalries

The narrative spotlights key personalities who were instrumental in the league's success. Notably, Rube Foster managed the Chicago American Giants, and other cornerstone teams included the Detroit Stars and the Kansas City Monarchs. The Monarchs, founded in 1920, enjoyed robust community support, particularly because Kansas City did not have an MLB team, fostering a loyal fan base.

Leslie Heaphy, an Associate Professor of History at Kent State University, provides expert commentary on the cultural significance of these teams:

"[...] teams are going to come and go out of the league. Teams are going to literally leave and come back. Teams are going to leave and fold." ([07:25])

The episode also introduces Sean Gibson, a Pittsburgh native and descendant of Negro League players, who offers personal anecdotes that enrich the historical narrative. For instance, Gibson recounts the immense popularity of players like Josh Gibson and the communal pride surrounding the Kansas City Monarchs:

"[...] When the Monarchs came to town, the service was 10 o'clock so they could get to the ballgame. And they came, they came and drove." ([06:58]-[07:12])

Establishment of the East West Classic

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the creation and impact of the East West Classic, the Negro Leagues' equivalent of the MLB All-Star Game. Initiated by Gus Greenlee, a prominent Pittsburgh businessman, the Classic was envisioned as a grand showcase of the league's top talent.

Gus Greenlee’s entrepreneurial spirit is highlighted as he leverages his financial resources to build Greenleaf Field, the first dedicated ballpark for a Negro League team:

"Gus continued Rube's legacy and grew black baseball in ways Rube would have struggled to believe." ([21:39])

The Classic became a massive event, with fan engagement reaching unprecedented heights. During its inaugural game in 1933, over one million fans submitted votes to determine player selections. By 1939, this number had surged to 17 million, underscoring the event's popularity and significance:

"During that first game in 1933, over 1 million fans submitted their bids. By the 1939 game, that number had increased to 17 million." ([30:13])

Impact and Legacy

The East West Classic not only elevated the status of Negro League players but also fostered a sense of community and pride within the African American population. Players like Mule Suttles, Turkey Stearns, and Josh Gibson became household names, their talents celebrated both within and beyond their communities.

Despite facing systemic racism and segregation, the Negro Leagues thrived as a multibillion-dollar enterprise by the end of World War II, becoming the third largest business sector in the black community after insurance companies and banks:

"By 1945, over two decades after Rube Foster founded the Negro National League, baseball had cemented itself as a cornerstone of black life." ([32:20])

The episode also touches upon the resistance from MLB Commissioner Kennesaw M. Landis, who upheld segregationist policies, preventing Negro League players from joining the majors. This exclusion not only limited the players' opportunities but also deprived MLB of some of its greatest talents.

Barnstorming: The Wild Side of Negro League Baseball

Beyond organized league play, Negro League teams engaged in barnstorming—underground, interracial exhibitions that defied mainstream baseball's segregation. These matches allowed for more daring play and higher paydays, contributing to the leagues' financial success and the players' legendary status.

Conclusion

Episode 2 of Reclaimed: The Forgotten League masterfully captures the essence of the Negro Leagues' golden age, highlighting the resilience, talent, and community spirit that propelled black baseball to prominence despite systemic barriers. Through vivid storytelling and insightful interviews with historians and descendants of players, Vanessa Ivey Rose underscores the profound impact the Negro Leagues had on both the sport of baseball and the broader African American experience.

Notable Quotes

Leslie Heaphy on team instability in early Negro Leagues:

"Some of these teams are on far more precarious financial footing than others. And so what sets a pattern is that teams are going to come and go out of the league." ([07:25])
Sean Gibson reflecting on Josh Gibson's legacy:

"Pretty sure Josh and the rest of those guys would have loved to play against Major League Baseball players. They just didn't have the opportunity." ([34:06])
Vanessa Ivey Rose on the significance of the East West Classic:

"Gus envisioned the East West Classic as a celebration, a demonstration of black baseball's excellence." ([28:51])

Production Credits

Reclaimed: The Forgotten League is an original production of ABC Audio, hosted by Vanessa Ivey Rose and written by Cameron Chertavian. The episode was produced by a dedicated team including Madeline Wood, IRU Ekpenobe, and others, with music and scoring by Evan Viola.

Transcript

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Vanessa Ivey Rose (0:32)

It'S a late September afternoon in 1933. It's the bottom of the fourth inning in Chicago's Comiskey Park. The grandstands are full of 20,000, mostly black fans. They're dressed in their finest clothing. Some have traveled across the country to be in the stadium. They're here to watch the inaugural East West Classic, a showcase of the best talent black baseball has to offer. All eyes are on Mule Suttles, a Negro League veteran who is stepping up to the plate. He's a giant 6 foot 2 and around 220 pounds with a swing that, when it connects, shakes the stadium like an earthquake. And his team is down by two. As he approaches the plate, the crowd cheers him on with chants of kick Mule. Kick Mule cracks one into left field. Up, up and into the grandstand. The crowd roars. It's a two run homer for the Negro League power hitter and the first home run in the history of the East West Classic. Mules team would go on to win the game, 11 to 7. The East West Classic was a crowning achievement for the Negro Leagues. It was a day when these superstars, kept out of the white major leagues could come together and say, we too are great. But getting here wasn't easy. It took years of ups and downs, false starts, savvy business deals and fierce rivalries to get to this September afternoon in Chicago. 1933. From ABC Audio, this is Reclaimed the Forgotten League. I'm Vanessa ivey Rose. Episode 2 the Golden Age to get to the East West Classic, we have to go back to 1920, when baseball was entering its golden age. After World War I, Americans craved normalcy and entertainment, and many households had radios, which meant for the first time, baseball fans across America could tune in and listen to announcers bring the game right into their living room. The game itself had also become more exciting to watch. Babe Ruth was a household name, and he ushered in the era of the home run. On the weekends, eager fans would flock to Yankee Stadium or Forbes Field for a chance to see Ruth Slugma out of the park. Baseball was beginning to truly become America's pastime for both black and white Americans. At the same time, hundreds of thousands of black Americans were migrating from the south to the North. They moved for opportunity and built new lives in cities like New York, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Detroit. That meant there was a ready made audience for Negro league teams. Rube Foster founded the Negro National League in this environment. But despite the interest, Rube's league wasn't a sure thing. To understand why, it's helpful to know the differences between baseball back then and baseball today. When we think of baseball today, we think of Major League Baseball. MLB creates a schedule so teams can compete and make money consistently. It also makes sure players get paid and stick to their contracts. But before Rube founded the Negro National League, that kind of structure didn't exist for black baseball, which created all sorts of problems. Like imagine if New York Yankees player Aaron Judge broke his contract halfway through the season and went to play for the Angels. Or what if the Yankees went bankrupt and Judge went shopping around to all the other teams in search of a job. These issues, contract jumping, teams folding in the middle of the season, they were part of black baseball. You can see why it was so hard to build a stable team or a consistent fan base. So during that first Negro National League season, Rube organized a schedule and set rules that required both players and owners to honor their contracts. Rube's rules didn't fix all of the problems, but they created the stability black baseball needed to grow. A handful of teams made up the backbone of the Negro National League, like the Detroit Stars. That's the team my grandfather Turkey played on. And the Chicago American Giants, the team Rube Foster managed, the Kansas City Monarchs were another must see attraction. Kansas City didn't have an MLB team, and so when the Kansas City Monarchs were formed in 1920, the community rallied around them.