The Black Baseball Mixtape

First and foremost, please allow me to start this episode of FYB by honestly and truthfully congratulating the Mets for a successful Black Legacy Night. The Mixtape was not in the building last night, but I believe the crew will be there in the future. Our mission is to share the intersection of baseball and Black culture for all to appreciate. Club access helps, but it's not a driving force for the mission. With that, it was a huge night in MLB for several of our Mixtape friends: congrats to Mookie Betts on his 300th home run! Samad Taylor, Braden Montgomery, and Khalil Watson all stayed hot. Even Cam Smith flashed the leather in right field. Enjoy the highlights. I will see you tomorrow.

Friends of the @blackbaseballmixtape are showing out all over MLB. Khalil Watson hit his first MLB home run, Nasim Nuñez is the first MLB player to 30 stolen bases, and even my guy Chuckie Robinson is back in the BIGS with the Dodgers. Cam Smith and Taylor Trammell went Black-to-Black for the Astros. And, Jazz is just going to be Jazz. There are no words to describe seeing players you cover achieve their dreams in the Major Leagues. Mixtape Family, our platform is growing and becoming one of the most authentic media platforms for Black baseball at every level of the game. Let's keep the ball rolling here on IG and Substack. Oh, and Finish Your Breakfast.

I went over the 3-minute IG time limit because I think this message is important and encouraging. Last night's OU victory was not just a win for Sooner Nation; it was a win for diversity in college baseball - more so, a win for diversity programs in baseball. @mlbdevelops @mbptakeover @astros_ya all had a hand in the fabric of the national championship team. These programs (and others like them) have been grinding for years with little attention, but their efforts are evident throughout the landscape of college baseball. OU had two African Americans in their everyday starting lineup, and both made the MCWS All-Tournament Team (Dasan Harris and Jason Walk). The Mercurius brothers (Xander and LJ) both contributed on the mound in Omaha, along with Jaden Barfield. These contributions at the highest level do not happen in a vacuum. There are parents, coaches, mentors, and programs that create environments where these young men can thrive. Congrats to Coach Skip Johnson and the entire OU staff.

One game will determine it all for the college baseball championship. Who you got: UNC or Oklahoma?

I feel like I owe Oklahoma baseball an apology. They won the Atlanta regional, beating GA Tech. They swept the Super Regional, beating Kansas on their way to Omaha. OU has several African American players on their team, and two in the everyday starting nine, and yet I have not talked about them nearly enough. I feel you, OU. You get the well-deserved spotlight today. OU got a big win against Georgia last night. Georgia will now face Texas in an elimination game. Byron Buxton continues to be unreal for the Twins. Chase Burns is forging a path to the All-Star Game, and PCA hit for the cycle.

Finish Your Breakfast: 6.15.2026 - World Cup fans invade Fenway (didn't help the Red Sox), Sir Lewis Hamilton gets a win, the Knicks are NBA Champions, and James Wood keeps hitting homers. Let's go!

The New York Knicks are NBA Champions!And some baseball - but mostly the NEW YORK KNICKS NBA CHAMPIONS!Finish Your Breakfast 6.14.2026

So many highlights, so little time (IG limits reel sharing to 3 minutes): So, big CWS win for WVU. I've mentioned this before, but WVU baseball has a recent history of diverse rosters, including several African American players on their teams; S/O to my guy @ttuck_5 for putting me on this game. This year's WVU team features three Black starters (Guzman, Smith, Hall), and they all put in major work yesterday in Omaha. WVU beat Troy, and UNC beat the University of Mississippi (I've recently been put on game and will stop referring to them as O.. M..). In the MLB, Buxton, Wood, Walker, Matthews, Lewis, Naylor, and several more Black players made an impact. And S/O to the USMNT on their dominant debut victory last night. I need that USMNT X VAA backpack fr. Check it all out as you finish your breakfast.

Happy Friday! Who's ready? World Cup, College World Series, and of course, MLB baseball action. Finish Your Breakfast.

There are a lot of Black baseball highlights to review this morning, BUT who are we kidding? Last night was all about the Knicks and their epic - historic - comeback victory in the Garden. I'm not going to lie, I was depressed by the third quarter. I was in my Knicks group chat not just talking doom for the game, but doom for the entire series. Then history happened. What a comeback. What a team! What a night! Black baseball had a big night all across MLB: James Wood & and Jordan Walker hit bombs (yes, Walker's is not in the IG highlights…I'll try to add it to Substack), Cedric Mullins, Cam Smith, Lawrence Butler, Byron Buxton, and Jazz are all in the's FYB, and more! And, how about those White Sox? They are in sole possession of first place in the AL Central. Who could have guessed?

There is a lot to talk about this morning: AUSL Opening Day was last night, and I want to know if you are following the nascent softball league. Let me know in the comments: Are you following the AUSL? Which teams and which players? Some of the most exciting players within the entire softball landscape are involved, but not ALL of them are playing the AUSL. Let me explain: There are six teams in the AUSL, two more than the inaugural 2025 season, but I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Professional Softball League (PSL). They feature seven teams and some of the best players in the world. The overall net result of the two leagues is that women professional softball players have opportunities like never before. In addition to the AUSL, there was a full slate of MLB games last night. Welcome to the Show, Braden Montgomery! He made a lifelong memory in Chicago. Also, big production from Jordan Walker, James Wood, Byron Buxton, Xavier Edwards, Jazz Chisholm, and more. FYB!

FYB: Tuesday, June 9th: The field for Omaha is set, the Samad Taylor game, the Black Nats with late-inning heroics, and the Knicks' winning streak is over - I'll give you one guess who I am blaming.

Happy Monday! Three more teams punched their tickets to Omaha: UNC, Georgia, and Texas. Only two slots remain for the College World Series, and the decision will be made tonight. Is it too early to start really talking about the MLB All-Star Game? Nope, it's not. Voting is underway, and I'm looking at a lot of American-Born Black players in the mix. Mike Harris, Jordan Walker, CJ Abrams, James Wood, Xavier Edwards, and Taj Bradley are near the top of my list. Drop some additional names in the comments. As always, thanks for your support. Go Knicks! And let's have a great week.

Sunday, June 7, 2026: Baseball is on fire right now, and Black baseball fans should be excited. Three college baseball teams have already punched their tickets to Omaha, and, forgive WVU, I was not this familiar with your game. @tyrus.hall @mani.ftn & @seansmithll are putting on a show worth the price of admission. Georgia is also worth the watch with @ryanblackkk @tr3phelps and more. Much love to my partners over at @mbptakeover @msptakeover for kicking off their three-city HBCU All-American tour this weekend - North Carolina was a movie; ATL and DET up next. In MLB action, @thereallujamesgroover got his first MLB hit, Jordan Walker continues his 26 All-Star campaign, and welcome back to The Show Lamonte Wade Jr.

A huge Finish Your Breakfast today! It runs over three minutes, so IG will not recommend this reel to new audiences. Please add to your story and share around.This is a special weekend for our partners over at @msptakeover. They kicked off their HBCU All-Star Weekend in North Carolina last night with their 4th Annual HBCU All-Star softball game in Charlotte. I hope you can tell from the photos that the vibes were high and the community was out. Jump over to MSP Takeover for all the details. Black baseball players showed out last night: The Nats' James Wood, Daylen Lile, and CJ Abrams hit homers. Jordan Walker continued his all-star campaign. And Jeremiah Jackson needs even more run (trust me). S/O to WVU baseball: Tyrus Hall and Sean Smith both hit homers in their Super Regional Game 1 win - all of that and more (KNICKS IN 4).

For the second year in a row, the NCAA Softball Championship trophy lives in Austin. Congrats to the Texas Longhorns: Back-to-back National Champions! Salute to the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Nija Canady: runner-ups for the second consecutive year. I can't say enough about Canady: She has been the face of college softball since she stepped on campus at Stanford (not TT), and has handled all of the hype, conversation, and unrelenting scrutiny with such grace. I am certain this year's NCAA tournament will continue to break ratings records. What a fantastic showcase for the best of college softball - all of that and more on Finish Your Breakfast.

Summer capacity overload has started! This week: LL playoff game (son plays, I coach), Marlins v. Nats in DC (for the culture), and last night AEW in Richmond. Also, the Knicks were playing in the NBA Finals. Also, Women's College World Series Championship Game 1, Also, the Knicks are playing in the Finals…did I mention the Knicks!

Tarps off in DC— but it was no match for back-to-back-to-back home runs—a big bop delivered in Cincy by Will Benson. Maysn Winn showed off the cannon, and Jo Adell used his head (sort of). Also, I got to catch up with my guy [power hitter] Xavier Edwards. Finish Your Breakfast: 6.3.2026.

It's Tuesday, June 2, 2026, and the NCAA Softball Championship is set! It will be an old-fashioned Texas showdown between the Texas Longhorns and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Both teams had to win two games: Texas against Tennessee, and Texas Tech against Alabama. Texas Tech's star pitcher NiJaree Canady now holds the record for most Women's College World Series games in history. On the Men's side, the Super Regionals are set, and they will not include #1 UCLA or #2 Georgia Tech. There were dramatic walk-offs in both the Morgantown and Atlanta Regionals. Not many MLB highlights, but I did spotlight Sox prospect Branden Montgomery, who had a HUGE month of May.

Free Tre Phelps & Finish Your Breakfast - Let's Go. Mixtape IG Family, Today is definitely a Substack highlight day. If you haven't jumped over and subscribed (for free), you are missing out. If you are seeing this on Substack: Thank you, and enjoy.

Finish Your Breakfast (or Brunch): 5.31.2026 - All you really need to know right now is that Vahn Lackey hit a ball 468 ft against OU. 468 feet - over the scoreboard at Georgia Tech. Anthony Pack Jr. hit his fourth homer of the regional. And UCLA made an epic comeback to survive and advance. It was a full slate of MLB games too; El Niño finally hit a homer. Jo Adell hit the catwalk at the Trop - and more.

Way too many highlights today for IG. If you haven't done so already, subscribe to the Black Baseball Mixtape Substack and/or podcast to get the full recap every day, for free. NCAA Baseball Regionals were in full force: Texas Longhorns' SEC Freshman of the Year Anthony Pack Jr. made Texas baseball history with 3 home runs in his first NCAA Tournament game. He is the first Longhorn in Texas history to do so. There were a ton of upsets, including the #1 team in the country, UCLA, and the #4 team in the country, Auburn. The Georgia Bulldogs set their school record for home runs, and GA Tech scored 17 unanswered runs. Oh, and there was a full slate of MLB action as well. FYB

It's a short round of highlights this morning, so let's get to it. Cam Smith made the play of the night in the Astros win over the Rangers. Acuna, Albies, Smith, and Harris powered the Braves over the Red Sox at Fenway. And Murakami keeps hitting, and the White Sox keep winning. Let's finish our breakfast, shall we?

Finish Your Breakfast (5.28.2026): I see you Juan Soto, and even you can't make me hate Jalen Brunson (hahaha), even Pope Leo is a Knicks fan. Shohei did what Shohei does last night. Murakami did what Murakami does last night. Byron Buxton did what Byron Buxton does last night. Yordan Alvarez has hit four homers in two games. Yankees ace Gerrit Cole was dominate against the Royals. The O's got a meaning sweep against the Rays, and the Nats won their series against the Guardians 2-1. The Rangers DFA'ed Andrew McCutchen. I hope he gets on with another team for the remainder of the season.

Lots of games last night and lots of blowouts. Michael Harris II (Braves) and Mookie Betts (Dodgers) both had huge nights. The Dodgers and the Yankees both put up 15 runs. Vaughn Grissom has six RBIs and a grand slam for the Halos. And Chase Burns picked up his 7th win of the season - all of that and more tarps come off, this time in Charm City.

Happy Monday! Caddy returns to Camden Yards. The Astros throw a combined no-hitter. James Wood and C.J. Abrams leave the yard. So do Murakami and Schwarber.All of that and a salute to the Knicks and Gael Monfils.

On this episode, Cheats, April, and Flobo discuss the rise of the White Sox and the fall of the Cubs. Are the Rays, Braves, and A's for real? What division in MLB is the most fun to watch? All of that and a lot of NCAA softball and baseball talk. The Black Baseball Mixtape is in partnership with the Players Alliance, Minority Prospects, and Numbers Game Scorebooks.

Happy Memorial Day. There were walk-offs in the Bronx & MIA, and lots of baseball games to talk about. It's not cookout weather in Virginia, but if the sun is shining where you are, break out the grill and enjoy the day.

Jordan Walker Sunday Spotlight. Ray J has no business around any ring or fighting anyone. And, how about those Knicks? Oh yeah, this is a baseball show, right? Finish Your Breakfast (5.24.2026).

The tarps continue to come off at MLB ballparks, and I for one ain't mad at it. On the field, the Braves walk off the Nats. The Twins power by the Sox. The Rocket returns to Fenway. And the Rays grab an important game one over the Yankees.

Happy Friday! Last night was Too $hort bobblehead night for the Oakland Ballers. $hort was on hand, along with The Glove, Gary Payton. Was this the best bobblehead collaboration of the year? On the field, Money Mike Harris hit two out against the Marlins. The Jays and Yankees tie their four-game series. And so did the Mets and Nationals. Corbin Carroll walked it off against the Rockies - I've shown way too many Diamondbacks clips this year. And I think Marcus Semien has the worst ABS challenge on record. FYB.

Shohei displayed a masterclass in double duty last night. He led off the game with a homer and then pitched five scoreless innings. The Braves' Dominic Smith has to be tired this morning. He hit a major league home run in the sixth and then had a little league home run in the eighth. The Nats CJ Abrams is now in a three-way tie for MLB's RBI lead. He had three RBIs last night. And Nasim Nuñez stole his league-leading 21st base. The Rays and the Brewers broke out the brooms in a big divisional series. FYB.

Finish Your Breakfast (5.20.2026): Family, there is always a lot of baseball to talk about, but it's not every day that the Knicks come back from down 22 in the second half to win Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, so let's go, Knicks. In baseball, I think there has been a record number of inside-the-park home runs so far this season. James Wood hit a grand slam inside job, and Corbin Carroll got one too (not shown). Xavier Edwards is now Sammy Sosa. And the Brewers are back in first place (go figure).

The Marlins rout the best team in baseball. Xavier Edwards keeps his power surge going in MIA. Josh Bell hit two home runs in the Twins' victory over the Astros. The Mets waited until extras to score 10 runs in DC. The “Tarps Off” movement has spread to Tampa. And the Bombers win game one of their ALCS rematch series in the Bronx.

A walk-off in Chicago. Another walk-off in New York. The Rays are the first AL team with 30 wins. The Phillies are above 500 for the first time all year. The O's avoided a sweep in DC - all of that and more on Finish Your Breakfast (5.18.2026).

MLB Rivalry Weekend continues, and an epic comeback by Texas Tech in the NCAA Softball Regionals.

It's rivalry weekend in MLB: Can you name all the series rivalries? I've done a lot of them for you. Let's go: Subway Series, Lone Star Series, Citrus Series, Crosstown Classic, Freeway Series, Border Battle, Sho-me Series, the Ohio Cup, the Beatlway Series, and the Vedder Cup. Which ones am I missing? Which series is your favorite? Mine? The Beltway Series between the Nats and the O's. Finish Your Breakfast: 5.16.2026.

Happy Friday (5.15.2026): The Reds destroyed the Nats 15-1. Chase Burns was outstanding: 6 IP, 0 ER, 7 Ks. Dane Myers had a home run and a web gem catch in center field. Ke'Bryan Hayes had two hits and two RBIs. The Cards had a dramatic come-from-behind victory to beat the A's. Jordan Walker saved a home run in the first inning and hit a home run in the 6th. Walker's double to right at the top of the 9th secured the Cards' comeback. The Mets broke out the brooms against the Tigers. Soto, Vientos, Baty, and Semien all had homers - all of that and more on today's Finish Your Breakfast.

Finish Your Breakfast (5.14.2026): Shohei and Mookie help the Dodgers defeat the Giants 4-0. The Braves have taken two in a row over the Cubs - Drake Baldwin with his 11th homer of the season. The Nats Daylen Lile has hit three home runs in the last two games (Nats over the Reds in extras). The O's won their 3-game series over the Yankees 2-1, with a 7-0 win yesterday. Byron Buxton hit two home runs in the Twins' loss to the Marlins—all of that and more on this episode of FYB.

Finish Your Breakfast (5.13.2026): Lots of action in the MLB to review: Derek Hill delivered a pinch-hit go-ahead homer in the 8th and a game-saving catch in the 9th to lead the Sox over the Royals. Daylen Lile and James Wood both homered in the Nats blowout of the Reds. Professional hitter Dom Smith went 4-4 with two runs scored as the Braves took game one of their series with the Cubs. And the Yankees reinstated their Jedi mind-control over the O's—all of that and Ice Cube at Dodgers Stadium.

Honest question: Can you name the Rays' starting lineup? Currently, they are the best team in the AL and one of the hottest teams in MLB, but their players are not household names. It was a short night in MLB. Let's finish our breakfast together.

Finish Your Breakfast (5.11.2026): I hope everyone had a wonderful (and relaxing) Mother's Day. Jo Adell had a huge day: 3 H, 2 HR, 2 RBIs, in a victory against the Jays. Aaron Judge hit his 16th home run of the season - Judge and Kyle Schwarber are tied for the MLB lead. The Brewers completed the sweep against the Yankees. The Rays are now in sole possession of first place in the AL East. The Braves win the 3-game series against the Dodgers out west. Drake Baldwin hit his 10th home run of the season—all of that and more on FYB.

Are the Braves the best team in baseball?Should Xavier Edwards bat cleanup?With the NCAA Softball tournament starting Friday, who are the teams and players to watch?Do giveaways like the Tupac bobblehead bring more Black people to the ballpark? All of that and more. Cheats, Flobo, April, and Malik talk all things Black baseball. The Black Baseball Mixtape is in partnership with the Players Alliance, Minority Prospects, and Numbers Game Scorebook.

Finish Your Breakfast: Happy Mother's Day.

The most highly anticipated MLB bobblehead of ‘26 dropped last night in Baltimore. Did you get one? I think the Tupac bobblehead was the most anticipated MLB bobblehead since the Braves' OutKast release a few years ago. The line at Camden Yards was crazy. The Orioles even open gates early to make it easier on fans. The eBay resale prices are around $150 right now. That price will go up before it goes down for the record. I absolutely love this collaboration. Tupac had a strong connection to Baltimore and the state of Maryland. His sister, Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur, was on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Earlier in the day, Mayor Brandon Scott dedicated a street, Greenmount Ave, the the late rapper. Tupac spent his teenage years attending the Baltimore School of the Arts. All of that, and more, on today's Finish Your Breakfast.

Happy Friday! The Cubs keep winning. Is the NL Central the toughest division in baseball? Maysn Winn (Cards) and Chandler Simpson (Rays) triple to help their teams win on the road. Grisham and Judge contribute to a Yankees blowout, and the AUSL takes on Times Square. Finish Your Breakfast.

Finish Your Breakfast (5.7.2026): The Cubs keep winning! The Nats poured it on the Twins. CJ Abrams hit a Grand Slam (5 RBIs). The Mariners avoid the sweep against the Braves. Aaron Judge hit his MLB-leading 15th home run in a Yankees loss. Brice Matthews hit a homer, and remains steady in Houston. The Mets have won 3 in a row—all of those highlights and more on today's FYB.

Finish Your Breakfast (5.6.2026): Byron Buxton has been named AL Player of the Week. Last week, Buxton hit 345 with 5 home runs and 7 RBIs. Last night, he hit another home run, and the Twins pitcher (Mixtape Fam) Taj Bradley pitched 6 IP, 2 ER, 8 Ks, to lead his club over the Nats. The Yankees, Braves, and Phillies all won again. The Phils are 7-1 under new manager Donnie Baseball, and are now tied with the Nats and Marlins for second in the NL East. Follow for more—DM BBM for merch information.

Finish Your Breakfast: 5.5.2026 - The Mets and Phillies won games. Ke'Bryan Hayes hit home run. So did Drake Baldwin and JP Crawford. And why in the world are the O's still trying to pitch to Aaron Judge? Follow for more.

On this episode of the Black Baseball Mixtape podcast Live: Cheats enters Banana Land to cover the Indianapolis Clowns.April talks AUSL collegiate draft.Malik talks about the path of Carl Edwards Jr. Tarik Skubal and Acuna Jr. injuries discussed. The Black Baseball Mixtape is in partnership with the Players Alliance, Minority Prospects, and Numbers Game Scorebooks.

May the 4th be with you! Finish Your Breakfast (5.4.2026): The Bombers own the O's—the Mets and the Halos battle for the worst team in MLB. Justin Crawford is on a six-game hitting streak. Chase Burns is on FIRE. All of that, and Andrew McCutchen flashed some serious leather. Finish Your Breakfast. Follow for more.