Podcasts about Ernie Banks

In 2016, as the Cubs prepared for the National League Championship Series, our PhD Committee remembered baseball's greatest ambassador and Hall of Fame great, Ernie Banks who passed away on January 23, 2015.  Let's play two.

In this episode, we talk with Doug Wilson, author of Let's Play Two: The Legend of Mr. Cub, the Life of Ernie Banks (Rowman & Littlefield, 2019), to explore the life and legacy of one of baseball's most beloved figures. Doug shares insights into his research process, the hidden layers of Ernie Banks' personality, and what makes this Hall of Famer's story still resonate today.From growing up in segregated Dallas, Texas, to becoming a two-time MVP and a beacon of positivity on and off the field, Ernie Banks' journey is not only a baseball story—it's a human story. Doug discusses the complexities behind the cheerful "Let's play two!" slogan and the cultural and personal weight Banks carried with grace.In Part Two of this episode, we dive into two very different but equally fascinating conversations. First, in a decision that warms Rex's heart, the league has finally removed several long-deceased  (and one not so long deceased) players from its permanently ineligible list. Second, Craig shares his experience seeing Deafheaven, one of his favorite artists, at a recent Austin concert.You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com/ Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social)Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat)     This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.   

In this episode of Smashing BIN, Matthew (@1956toppsguy) joins the show to share the story behind a BIN smash that still gives him goosebumps. It's a 1956 Topps Ernie Banks with an in-person autograph and “Let's Play Two” inscription—one of the most personally significant cards in his collection.We explore what makes 1956 Topps such a magical set, the emotional pull behind card buying decisions, and how collectors make sense of rarity, condition, and significance. Matthew also breaks down the psychology of BIN smashing with his own system: Steal, Grail, and Eureka.This episode is for anyone who's ever seen a card and felt the clock start ticking.Start your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkFollow Matthew: | InstagramFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok

Known for his infectious love of the game and unforgettable catchphrase, “Let's play two,” Ernie Banks not only defined an era of Chicago Cubs baseball, but he became a symbol of joy, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the sport. Ernie was a beloved figure both on and off the field. In this shortened interview he mentions a couple of Milwaukee Brewers that he had great respect for. As for his singing, I'll let you draw your own conclusions.

Barnstorming across a segregated United States from 1908-1940, pitcher John Donaldson won over 400 games and collected over 5,000 strikeouts, but his baseball career became lost in history until historian Pete Gorton came to the rescue. Chuck Garfien speaks with Gorton who has spent the last 20 years uncovering Donaldson's extraordinary career. Donaldson later became the first official black scout in the majors with the White Sox, scouting Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Ernie Banks. He's up for induction into the baseball Hall of Fame in December.

Frank Robinson was the first black manager when the Cleveland Indians hired him, but there was another black player who managed before Robbie . . . . On November 4, 1948 Jake Powell, 39, former big league baseball star, shot himself to death in Washington police headquarters late today while being questioned on bad check charges.Powell had been picked up at the Union Station the complaint of a local hotel where he had been staying the past three days. After Powell was taken to the check and fraud division of local police headquarters and during the questioning police said he asked permission to leave the room for several minutes. Police said he stepped outside the door pulled out a 25-caliber revolver and shot himself once in the chest and once in the right temple. With him when he was taken into custody was a woman who identified herself as Josephine Amder, of Deland, Fla. she told police she and Powell had planned to be married during the day, but later changed their plans.But Mrs. Elizabeth Powell, to whom the ballplayer had been married several years, said she was still his wife and as far as she was concerned there had been no separation.On November 4, 1889 — After a formal meeting of representatives from all National League chapters, the Brotherhood issues a “Manifesto” in which it claims that “players have been bought, sold and exchanged as though they were sheep instead of American citizens.” This bold statement constitutes a declaration of war between the Brotherhood and major league officials which will soon explode into the formation of the Players League.86 years later . . . .On November 4, 1976 — The first mass-market free agent re-entry draft is held at the New York Plaza Hotel. Among those available are Reggie Jackson, Willie McCovey, Joe Rudi, Don Gullett, Gene Tenace, Nate Colbert, Rollie Fingers, Don Baylor, and Bobby Grich. McCovey and Colbert are the only two players not selected, but McCovey will catch on with the Giants in spring training and have a banner year at his old first base position. Jackson will go onto star for the New York Yankees and win two World Championships. Fingers will have several excellent seasons for the Padres and Brewers...

Frank Robinson was the first black manager when the Cleveland Indians hired him, but there was another black player who managed before Robbie . . . . On November 4, 1948 Jake Powell, 39, former big league baseball star, shot himself to death in Washington police headquarters late today while being questioned on bad check charges.Powell had been picked up at the Union Station the complaint of a local hotel where he had been staying the past three days. After Powell was taken to the check and fraud division of local police headquarters and during the questioning police said he asked permission to leave the room for several minutes. Police said he stepped outside the door pulled out a 25-caliber revolver and shot himself once in the chest and once in the right temple. With him when he was taken into custody was a woman who identified herself as Josephine Amder, of Deland, Fla. she told police she and Powell had planned to be married during the day, but later changed their plans.But Mrs. Elizabeth Powell, to whom the ballplayer had been married several years, said she was still his wife and as far as she was concerned there had been no separation.On November 4, 1889 — After a formal meeting of representatives from all National League chapters, the Brotherhood issues a “Manifesto” in which it claims that “players have been bought, sold and exchanged as though they were sheep instead of American citizens.” This bold statement constitutes a declaration of war between the Brotherhood and major league officials which will soon explode into the formation of the Players League.86 years later . . . .On November 4, 1976 — The first mass-market free agent re-entry draft is held at the New York Plaza Hotel. Among those available are Reggie Jackson, Willie McCovey, Joe Rudi, Don Gullett, Gene Tenace, Nate Colbert, Rollie Fingers, Don Baylor, and Bobby Grich. McCovey and Colbert are the only two players not selected, but McCovey will catch on with the Giants in spring training and have a banner year at his old first base position. Jackson will go onto star for the New York Yankees and win two World Championships. Fingers will have several excellent seasons for the Padres and Brewers...

EPISODE 200 Ernie Banks was a Hall of Fame baseball player for the Chicago Cubs. I have a picture of a Ernie Banks on a baseball card on the my blog post at SLesavich.com Ernie was always known a warm, positive, enthusiastic human being and his nickname was "Mr. Cub." One of Ernie's most famous quotes was: “There's sunshine, fresh air, and the team's behind us. Let's play two.” Ernie Banks - Chicago Cubs Ernie Banks used the the phrase "Let's play two" to remind himself and other players to appreciate the opportunity to play the game of baseball for a living and to cherish life. Ernie Banks' famous quote highlights the joy of participation, the value of eagerness, and the benefits of having a positive outlook, no matter the situation. How can you apply the quote "Let's play two" in your business with your business team? Ernie Banks' iconic phrase, "Let's play two," encourages everyone to temporarily double their commitment to their daily endeavors to create a positive impact, at work. Out There on the Edge of Everything®… Stephen Lesavich, PhD Copyright © 2024, by Stephen Lesavich, PhD.  All rights reserved. Certified solution-focused life coach and experienced business coach. #letsplaytwo #teamwork #team #optimism #motivation #passion #business #businesscoach #lesavich #200 #two #erniebanks #chicagocubs #baseball

Who you gonna call? It's hard to understate just how large of an impression this movie made on the kids who grew up in the 1980s (and 90s). This movie felt like it was EVERYONE'S favorite movie. Deadpanned Bill Murray, nerdy Harold Ramis, golden retriever Dan Akroyd, skeptical/wtf Ernie Banks, goofy Slimer, possessed Sigourney Weaver, that-neighbor Rick Moranis...it's alchemy. One of those films that captured magic. We're watching it!

August 24, 1989, Pete Rose signs an agreement that bans him from baseball permanently. Commissioner Bart Giamatti announces that the agreement does not contain either “an admission or a denial” that Rose bet on baseball games. The ruling will prevent Rose from seeking employment in the major leagues.August 24, 1971, Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs hits his 512th and final career home run. Banks' homer helps the Cubs to a 5-4 victory.How many fans wish they had a owner like this? August 24, 1951, St. Louis Browns owner Bill Veeck pulls off another one of his famous stunts. Veeck allows over 1,000 fans to act as “managers” during a game at Sportsman's Park. The fans use placards to vote on lineup and strategy decisions.August 24, 1969, the expansion Seattle Pilots trade knuckleballing pitcher Jim Bouton to the Houston Astros for pitchers Dooley Womack and Roric Harrison. Bouton will become a celebrity one year later when his book, "Ball Four", is published and becomes a best-seller.Joe Glenn catches baseball's best hitters:Left fielder Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox pitches the last two innings in a 12-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers. Williams allows three hits and one run but strikes out Tiger slugger Rudy York. Joe Glenn, who caught Babe Ruth's last pitching appearance in 1933, is Williams'catcher.1919 - Cleveland pitcher Ray Caldwell is flattened by a bolt of lightning in his debut with the team. He recovers to get the final out of the game, and defeats Philadelphia, 2-1.Historical Recap performed by:Robyn Newton from - Robyn SaysThis Day In Baseball is Sponsored by - www.vintagebaseballreflections.com - Join the membership today and listen to 50 years of baseball history told to you by the folks who were there! As a special offer, all our listeners can use the term - thisdayinbaseball at the membership check out.

August 24, 1989, Pete Rose signs an agreement that bans him from baseball permanently. Commissioner Bart Giamatti announces that the agreement does not contain either “an admission or a denial” that Rose bet on baseball games. The ruling will prevent Rose from seeking employment in the major leagues.August 24, 1971, Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs hits his 512th and final career home run. Banks' homer helps the Cubs to a 5-4 victory.How many fans wish they had a owner like this? August 24, 1951, St. Louis Browns owner Bill Veeck pulls off another one of his famous stunts. Veeck allows over 1,000 fans to act as “managers” during a game at Sportsman's Park. The fans use placards to vote on lineup and strategy decisions.August 24, 1969, the expansion Seattle Pilots trade knuckleballing pitcher Jim Bouton to the Houston Astros for pitchers Dooley Womack and Roric Harrison. Bouton will become a celebrity one year later when his book, "Ball Four", is published and becomes a best-seller.Joe Glenn catches baseball's best hitters:Left fielder Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox pitches the last two innings in a 12-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers. Williams allows three hits and one run but strikes out Tiger slugger Rudy York. Joe Glenn, who caught Babe Ruth's last pitching appearance in 1933, is Williams'catcher.1919 - Cleveland pitcher Ray Caldwell is flattened by a bolt of lightning in his debut with the team. He recovers to get the final out of the game, and defeats Philadelphia, 2-1.Historical Recap performed by:Robyn Newton from - Robyn SaysThis Day In Baseball is Sponsored by - www.vintagebaseballreflections.com - Join the membership today and listen to 50 years of baseball history told to you by the folks who were there! As a special offer, all our listeners can use the term - thisdayinbaseball at the membership check out.

Cooperstown Calls:1977, popular Chicago Cubs' slugger Ernie Banks is inducted into the Hall of Fame, helping to draw a then-record 27 Hall of Famers to Cooperstown for the event. Martin Dihigo, Pop Lloyd, Al Lopez, Amos Rusie, and Joe Sewell are also inducted.Milestones:1988, lights are used for the first time in the history of Wrigley Field. The Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies play 3 1/2 before being rained out.1998 - Behind Rafael Palmeiro's 35th home run‚ the Orioles defeat the Twins‚ 6 - 3‚ despite 5 hits by Minnesota DH Paul Molitor. Molitor also swipes his 500th base. He's the 6th player with 500 steals and 3000 hits.1997 Randy Johnson becomes the first pitcher to strike out 19 batters in a game twice in one season when he fans 19 Chicago White Sox in a 5 - 0 victory.Oddities:1976, the Chicago White Sox become the first team in major league history to wear short pants in a game. The White Sox debut their Bermuda shorts - the brainchild of owner Bill Veeck - in the first game of a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals. It will be the only regular season game in which the White Sox wear shorts.1903, tragedy strikes the Baker Bowl in Philadelphia when a walkway at the top of the stands suddenly collapses, killing 12 fans in attendance and injuring 282 others. The incident, which occurs when fans rush to the walkway to witness a street brawl, mars a doubleheader between the hometown Phillies and the Boston Braves. The second game is canceled and Philadelphia's remaining home games are played at the American League's Columbia Park.2004 - The Red Sox defeat the Tigers‚ 11 - 9‚ despite 7 Detroit home runs. Tim Wakefield records the win for Boston despite tying a major league record by allowing 6 of the homers. Wakefield is the 6th modern pitcher to yield 6 round-trippers‚ but the first since Philadelphia's George Caster did so 64 years ago against the Red Sox. The last pitcher to give up 6 homers and still win the game was Brooklyn's Hollis Thurston in 1932.Births: 1913 - Cecil Travis, lost nearly four years lost to World War II, and frozen feet suffered in the Battle of the Bulge, may have cost Cecil Travis a chance at the Hall of Fame. Despite that interruption, his career record still shines. A hard-hitting infielder, Ted Williams later compared Cecil's swing to John Olerud's. In 1941, Travis finished third to Joe DiMaggio and Williams in American League Most Valuable Player Award voting, batting .359 with 218 hits. His lifetime .314 average is one of the highest ever recorded by a shortstop

Cooperstown Calls:1977, popular Chicago Cubs' slugger Ernie Banks is inducted into the Hall of Fame, helping to draw a then-record 27 Hall of Famers to Cooperstown for the event. Martin Dihigo, Pop Lloyd, Al Lopez, Amos Rusie, and Joe Sewell are also inducted.Milestones:1988, lights are used for the first time in the history of Wrigley Field. The Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies play 3 1/2 before being rained out.1998 - Behind Rafael Palmeiro's 35th home run‚ the Orioles defeat the Twins‚ 6 - 3‚ despite 5 hits by Minnesota DH Paul Molitor. Molitor also swipes his 500th base. He's the 6th player with 500 steals and 3000 hits.1997 Randy Johnson becomes the first pitcher to strike out 19 batters in a game twice in one season when he fans 19 Chicago White Sox in a 5 - 0 victory.Oddities:1976, the Chicago White Sox become the first team in major league history to wear short pants in a game. The White Sox debut their Bermuda shorts - the brainchild of owner Bill Veeck - in the first game of a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals. It will be the only regular season game in which the White Sox wear shorts.1903, tragedy strikes the Baker Bowl in Philadelphia when a walkway at the top of the stands suddenly collapses, killing 12 fans in attendance and injuring 282 others. The incident, which occurs when fans rush to the walkway to witness a street brawl, mars a doubleheader between the hometown Phillies and the Boston Braves. The second game is canceled and Philadelphia's remaining home games are played at the American League's Columbia Park.2004 - The Red Sox defeat the Tigers‚ 11 - 9‚ despite 7 Detroit home runs. Tim Wakefield records the win for Boston despite tying a major league record by allowing 6 of the homers. Wakefield is the 6th modern pitcher to yield 6 round-trippers‚ but the first since Philadelphia's George Caster did so 64 years ago against the Red Sox. The last pitcher to give up 6 homers and still win the game was Brooklyn's Hollis Thurston in 1932.Births: 1913 - Cecil Travis, lost nearly four years lost to World War II, and frozen feet suffered in the Battle of the Bulge, may have cost Cecil Travis a chance at the Hall of Fame. Despite that interruption, his career record still shines. A hard-hitting infielder, Ted Williams later compared Cecil's swing to John Olerud's. In 1941, Travis finished third to Joe DiMaggio and Williams in American League Most Valuable Player Award voting, batting .359 with 218 hits. His lifetime .314 average is one of the highest ever recorded by a shortstop

When Vin Scully passed away in 2022, the city of Los Angeles lost its soundtrack. If you were able to deliver a eulogy for him, what might it include? What impact did he have on you? What do you carry forward from his legacy? Sixty-seven essayists—one representing each season of his career calling games for the Los Angeles Dodgers, from 1950 through 2016—reflect on the ways his professional and private life influenced them. The contributions include a range of stories and remembrances from those who knew and followed him. The consensus of the contributions is that Scully's actions spoke louder than his well-recognized words. This collection includes fellow broadcasters as well as historians, players, journalists, celebrities, and others connected to the game of baseball, with each piece introduced by sports journalist Tom Hoffarth. Readers can consider Scully's life through common themes: his sincerity, his humility, his professionalism, his passion for his faith, his devotion to his family, his insistence on remembering and giving context to important moments in the history of not just the game but the world in general, all wrapped up in a gift for weaving storytelling with accurate reporting, fellowship with performance art, humor, and connection. Tom Hoffarth is an Associated Press award-winning journalist with more than forty years of experience reporting in Southern California, focusing on sports and the media. He has written for the Southern California News Group, the Los Angeles Times, Hollywood Reporter, Angelus News, National Catholic Reporte, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Sports Business Journal. He is a coauthor (with Tom Kelly) of Tales from the USC Trojans Sideline: A Collection of the Greatest Trojans Stories Ever Told. Ron Rapoport worked as a sports columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times for more than twenty years and is the author of Let's Play Two: The Legend of Mr. Cub, the Life of Ernie Banks and the editor of The Lost Journalism of Ring Lardner (Nebraska, 2017). For more info on the book click HERE

Mike Ferguson in the Morning 07-10-24 Yet another thing for the Left get to freaked out about...Project 2025! Enjoy the apoplectic Joy Reid from MSDNC here: https://redstate.com/jerrywilson/2024/07/04/joy-reid-reaches-new-heights-in-not-only-trump-derangement-syndrome-but-derangement-period-n2176391 Specific response to accusations from the Left regarding Project 2025: https://x.com/Prjct2025/status/1810735701308195326 Also response here: https://www.dailysignal.com/2024/07/09/pants-fire-3-major-biden-whoppers-project-2025/   After yesterday's afternoon storms, Mike wonders why St. Louis drivers can't handle driving in the rain. STL City lawmakers continue to blame everyone else but themselves for the violence in downtown St. Louis. Story here: https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/crime/st-louis-mayor-reacts-to-holiday-weekend-violence-downtown/63-67e6c535-737c-44c0-aa95-6d658b4a9c18?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot Which races would you like us to review besides the Presidential race?    MORNING NEWS DUMP:This week, House Republicans are bringing to the Floor Congressman Chip Roy's Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act which requires individuals to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. NY Rep. Elise Stafanik comments on it here: https://stefanik.house.gov/2024/7/icymi-chair-stefanik-there-is-no-longer-any-doubt-that-joe-biden-is-unfit-to-be-our-commander-in-chief A new Pew Research Center poll finds 42% of respondents say there is NO common ground between Republicans and Democrats on abortion.  Another 38% say there might be a little room for compromise, but not much.  Amongst registered voters, both Republicans and Democrats agree that there is virtually NO common ground on abortion. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) plans to bring up options under the 25th Amendment in terms of President Biden's fitness. Story here: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/chip-roy-plans-house-discussion-25th-amendment-regarding-bidens-mental-fitness Today is the deadline to be registered to vote in Missouri's August Primary Election. As Cubs' great Ernie Banks would say, "Let's play two today!" The Cardinals play a day/night doubleheader at Busch Stadium. Game 1 against the Kansas City Royals, which is the postponed game from yesterday, is at 12:45pm. Game 2, the regularly scheduled game for today, is at 6:45pm. NewsTalkSTL website: https://newstalkstl.com/ Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/NewsTalkSTL Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/NewstalkSTL Livestream 24/7: http://bit.ly/newstalkstlstreamSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Ferguson in the Morning 07-10-24 Brian Phillips from the Texas Public Policy Foundation busts the myths surrounding Project 2025. Read Project 2025 here: https://www.project2025.org/ (https://www.texaspolicy.com/) Specific response to accusations from the Left regarding Project 2025: https://x.com/Prjct2025/status/1810735701308195326 Also response here: https://www.dailysignal.com/2024/07/09/pants-fire-3-major-biden-whoppers-project-2025/   MORNING NEWS DUMP:This week, House Republicans are bringing to the Floor Congressman Chip Roy's Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act which requires individuals to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. NY Rep. Elise Stafanik comments on it here: https://stefanik.house.gov/2024/7/icymi-chair-stefanik-there-is-no-longer-any-doubt-that-joe-biden-is-unfit-to-be-our-commander-in-chief A new Pew Research Center poll finds 42% of respondents say there is NO common ground between Republicans and Democrats on abortion.  Another 38% say there might be a little room for compromise, but not much.  Amongst registered voters, both Republicans and Democrats agree that there is virtually NO common ground on abortion. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) plans to bring up options under the 25th Amendment in terms of President Biden's fitness.Today is the deadline to be registered to vote in Missouri's August Primary Election. As Cubs' great Ernie Banks would say, "Let's play two today!" The Cardinals play a day/night doubleheader at Busch Stadium. Game 1 against the Kansas City Royals, which is the postponed game from yesterday, is at 12:45pm. Game 2, the regularly scheduled game for today, is at 6:45pm. More discussion on "tattoo regret!" Gen Z seems to lead the pack of regret. Story here: https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/gen-z-is-experiencing-tattoo-regret-social-media-may-be-to-blame/ar-BB1pC4Rq?ocid=BingNewsSerp   NewsTalkSTL website: https://newstalkstl.com/ Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/NewsTalkSTL Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/NewstalkSTL Livestream 24/7: http://bit.ly/newstalkstlstreamSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this enriching episode of the Kankakee Podcast, host Jake LaMore delves into the personal and profound narratives of five remarkable storytellers at the Yarn Factory Listeners' event, recorded live at Flanagan's Irish Pub in downtown Kankakee. From transformative advice received in unexpected places to life-altering decisions made under pressure, these stories offer a window into the diverse and resilient spirit of the Kankakee community.Edwin Yohnka shares an unforgettable encounter with literary icon Maya Angelou that set him on a path to deeply meaningful work. Jahana Holloway recounts her struggle with seeking validation and the revelation that spurred her to empower others, especially her daughters. Angela Shea opens up about facing professional humiliation and finding solace in nature's simple moments, while Jeremy Van Kley narrates his adventurous journey teaching English in Uzbekistan under wildly different circumstances than he had imagined. Finally, Connie Lemon's memorable meeting with the legendary Ernie Banks provides heartwarming insights into the impact of her work as a hospice nurse.Each story is a testament to the power of overcoming personal challenges and the enduring strength found within community and purpose. The episode also features host Jake LaMore and Bill Yohnka, who skillfully guide listeners through these profound experiences, reminding us all of the importance of sharing untold stories.Join us for this heartfelt journey of resilience, courage, and inspiration. Tune in to hear how these extraordinary individuals turned adversity into empowerment and found purpose through their pain!Don't miss out on future storytelling events—sign up and share your own story next time. And as always, we thank our listeners for their unwavering support and invite you to reflect on your own untold stories as you enjoy this episode of the Kankakee Podcast.----May's Yarn Factory Listener's | April's Yarn Factory Listener's----Send us a Text Message. Support the Show.

In this episode of Sports the NEMO Way we bring the Best Cubs to the table for discussion.

Find me and the show on social media @DrWilmerLeon on X (Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube Facebook page is www.facebook.com/Drwilmerleonctd   FULL TRANSCRIPT: Announcer (00:06): Connecting the dots with Dr. Wilmer Leon, where the analysis of politics, culture, and history converge. Wilmer Leon (00:15): Welcome to the Connecting the Dots podcast with Dr. Wilmer Leon. I'm Wilmer Leon. Here's the point. We have a tendency to view current events as though they happen in a vacuum, failing to understand the broader historical context in which they occur. During each episode, my guests and I have probing, provocative, and in-depth discussions that connect the dots between these events and their broader historic contexts. This enables you to better understand and analyze the events that are impacting the global village in which we live on today's episode. The issue before us is the broader impact of the student protests in support of Palestine are having not only on their respective universities, but now across the country and across the globe. And for this to discuss this, my guest is a dear family friend, a student of political history. He as such, he's played a role in shaping history as we know it, and he worked with Bobby Seale and Huey Newton and others associated with the formation of the Black Panther Party for self-defense at College Merit College in Oakland, California. Later, he's worked as a political advisor and activist. He worked with a wide variety of black leaders in the Democratic Party throughout the state of California, as well as in Washington dc. He's the author of In Pursuit of America's Promise, memoirs of a Black Panther. He is Virtual Toussaint Murrell. Virtual, welcome to the show. Virtual Murrell (01:57): Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Leon. I'm happy to be here. Happy to be invited by you, my dear friend. Wilmer Leon (02:03): Thank you, sir. Thank you for joining us. What brings us really to this discussion, student protestors at Columbia University, they took over a building near the campus South Lawn, raising the prospect of further turmoil at the Ivy League institution. The university started suspending students who refuse to leave their pro-Palestinian encampment that is on campus grounds. This, while police recently clashed with students at the University of Texas at Austin and arrested dozens of students as they dismantled their encampment to protest Israel's war on Gaza, and these protests at Austin came as Columbia also began suspending students. These are just a few examples of the protests that are taking place at colleges and universities. The country, a top official from Morehouse College, said recently that the school is standing by its decision to have President Joe Biden serve as the 2024 commencement speaker. Despite backlash from students and faculty over biden's support for this war, virtual your thoughts, you and your understanding of student protests. You go back a few years, talk about some of the similarities and differences that you see playing themselves out on our TV and telephone screens today. Virtual Murrell (03:35): Upon reflection, Wilmer, I can say to you that student protest is important. Students are a valuable commodity. They speak with honesty, with a strong sense of morality, and they're bright and they are our future. We look at the students and say, why? Look what they're doing. They're preventing students from going to class. They are projecting antisemitism. I don't see that. I see students less confusing to the American people and the world than the politicians. The politicians, the elected leadership that we have here, they are the ones that seem confused. Little consistency on our policies of foreign policy in the Middle East has given rise to the students to make their moral claim. The similarity between the students today and the student activists and those who protested the war in Vietnam and Southeast Asia are similar in that regard. (05:04) We were protesting the war in Vietnam. That was an undeclared war. We were protesting the rights, the lack of rights for African-Americans in the United States defending democracy abroad in Vietnam for the fear of the red scare as they used to call it. But I'm amazed, I think I'm amazed at how soon we forget those of us who were activists in the sixties and the seventies, how soon we forget when we reach w Heights of academia, the political structure as we engage we to forget the moral voice of reasoning from our students, and they're pure. Are they making mistakes? Yes, of course. What is the mistake? I think the mistake, I'm not sure if it's the students making the mistakes or is this the delivery of the press, the media and how they describe the protest. Today, the media plays a major role in how we view any issue, foreign or domestic. No matter how it's presented, it is the role of the media to present it fair and just representation of the issue. I'm not so sure that's how it's been represented today. And so that's where I am. Wilmer Leon (06:49): Do you see, particularly as it's played itself out at Columbia University, do you see the government's response, and I'll use that term very broadly as an attack on academia, because we're seeing this play itself out on a number of campuses. Teachers, many faculty are siding with students. Those faculty members are being threatened. Even those that are trying to stay above the fray are being attacked. The presidents of these universities are being attacked. Do you see this protest as an excuse by many in administration to attack academia? Virtual Murrell (07:41): Yes, of course. The faculty present their case. They teach us. They give us what we need to know to prepare us for the next world, the next life in terms of after we leave college. But I'm more concerned, I'm less concerned about the academics because academic freedoms will survive and it must survive because without academic freedom, there's no free speech. I'm more concerned that the administration of the various colleges and universities are ill-prepared to respond and deal with student protests. They don't know what to do. I would've thought after the years and years of protest of the past that someone would've done an analysis or study and put together a program, how it could be resolved in a more amicable way. For an example, why didn't someone call Dr. Wilmer? Why didn't someone call you? Why didn't someone call me? Why didn't someone call Bobby Seale? So there are instruments and vehicles that they could use to seek advice, but they talk to each other. Wilmer Leon (09:10): They talk to each other and well, Virtual Murrell (09:13): One more thing. As a result of talking to each other, they reinvent a wheel that is rusty and doomed to fail, Wilmer Leon (09:24): As we have seen it fail in the past. One of the things that, one of the reasons why they haven't called the folks that you mentioned or others, they're not interested in that level or that particular area of analysis. And also what I see here is the Israeli lobby playing such an important, a powerful role in that they won't tolerate any level of dissent in regards to the Zionist genocidal policies that are playing itself out in that settler colonial state. They won't tolerate any level of dissent, which is I believe what we're seeing, which is why so many, for example, look at what transpired at UCLA, the valedictorian and Asian American woman, a Muslim who is pro-Palestinian. She's the valedictorian of her class, 3.98 GPA on a 4.0 scale. First, they don't allow her to deliver her address. Then they decide to cancel graduation, and the excuse that they use is, oh, we received so many threats to her life that for her safety, we're doing this. That's not what happened. What happened is the wealthy benefactors that are in line with the interests of Zionism, they are pulling their money and they're threatening from pulling their funding from the institution. That's why the institution changed and canceled graduation because they're more concerned about the funding than they are concerned about academic freedom. Virtual Murrell (11:23): My question is whether or not academic freedom can be bought, Wilmer Leon (11:29): I think it can be stifled. Virtual Murrell (11:32): And so if it can be stifled, who suffers from it? Wilmer Leon (11:37): We all do. The entire country does. If not the world, Virtual Murrell (11:41): I think it's a cowardly act. Wilmer Leon (11:43): You are correct Virtual Murrell (11:44): For mature adults in academia and in government to blame students and not accept their role as part and parcel of the problem that allow for students to protest this undeclared war that allow us without question unfailingly to support one side or the other for financial reasons. It is a problem, it's a moral issue. And all wars to some degree. There's a moral question. If they would've asked me how to resolve this problem, I could not have fixed it, but I could have recommended a better solution than what I'm observing today. And I don't understand why they don't call the students in on all sides and get them all the benefit of understanding. (12:55) It's not about you. It's not about any particular group. It's about the ability to protest, it's ability to raise the level of debate college if for no other reason should be about to discuss ideas and conflict. That's what I thought it was for as the process of learning, of being educated. I asked a person recently, a young person, nah, about 19 years old, what are you doing? Are you supporting the protests? They said, yes, but I'm not on the streets, but I am supporting it. Do you know how many students may feel that way across this country for fear of retribution? In some respects, others are saying, I don't want to disappoint my parents for paying for my education, so I will quietly protest. (13:58) If you recall, during the Vietnam conflict, it was the students that led us out of Vietnam, Kent State, Jackson State, the deaths on Kent State's campus and on this campus of Jackson State, which is an HBCU school, and no one ever mentions when all of these issues of protesting come down. It's Jackson State and Southern, I mean, I'm sorry, it's not Jackson State, it's Kent State and Southern University. But the two dominant ones of that period in 1970 was Kent State with the National Guard because they protested the invasion, America's invasion into Southeast Asia. You remember seeing visually the students running across the open field, the grass, the hilly grass on campus there with the National Guard chasing them and firing rifles. How can that happen in America, land of the free home of the brave, the Democratic society, an example for the world of how democracy is to work. I rest Wilmer Leon (15:16): Well, a couple of things. One, there's a lot of discussion in the halls of Congress. The speaker of the house was at Columbia and he was talking about Jewish students feeling threatened Jewish students being attacked. And to your point earlier you said you haven't seen it. You haven't seen it because no evidence to support it has been presented. This is, and I'm not saying that there aren't students walking across campus that someone may make a comment to them or something innocuous, but from what I have been able to discern, 85% of that stuff isn't really happening. It's being blown out of proportion. There's no evidence to support this position that Jewish students are being threatened. In fact, when you look at the organizations that are participating in the demonstration, Jewish Voices for Peace, not in our name. When you look at some of the folks that showed up at Columbia University like Naomi Klein, there are a lot of American Jews that are in support of this protest, not against the protest. So those in the media as you referenced, who are in some binary type of thinking, them versus us, it's not nearly that complex. I mean, Virtual Murrell (16:54): I think it's rather odd that the House of Representatives cannot come together to create policy for the American people, yet they can form a bipartisan relationship to deal with indefensible students. Students that don't have the only armor that they have to defend themselves is they were the armor of morality. It exposes this government and the Congress both sides of the aisle for their intractable positions. And in doing so, we stand behind some of us, the courageous efforts of the students to bring together an understanding of what's going on. We were lied to about Vietnam, and students believe they're being lied to about what's going on in Gaza. They believe that some even believe that the Gaza Strip is designed and set up for future development. Ocean front properties. Wilmer Leon (18:22): Well, thank you. Jails, Virtual Murrell (18:24): Commercial Kushner. So the question is who is to control it? Well, I won't get into that. That's not really my feel. I'm suggesting, and I should not have necessarily said that's what I've heard. But most of us speak on rumors. So I thought I would share one. Wilmer Leon (18:40): No, that's not a rumor. Jared Kushner was very, very clear. Donald son-in-law was very, very clear. I heard him say it that this is great beachfront property and we can't wait to develop this. That's not a rumor. Virtual Murrell (18:54): Can't develop it if you can't control it, Wilmer Leon (18:57): Control it. Well, and Virtual Murrell (18:58): Not only that, going all the way back to ancient times, medieval times war is about the expansion of territory. And at the bottom line of the expansion of territory is economic gain. That may never stop. But let's not lie to the American people. Wilmer Leon (19:19): Well, and you raise the question about the irony that they can't find a coalition, a bipartisan coalition to pass a budget. They can't find a bipartisan coalition for voting rights. They can't find a bipartisan commission for hardly anything, but they can come together on this. Well, APAC has come out and said they're spending a hundred million dollars on campaigns for the 2024 election, putting money in the coffers of those that will support their Zionist colony. And there's Zionist interest. So they're spending money on both sides of the aisle. Virtual Murrell (20:02): But let's examine that for a moment. It's been declared by the courts that to deny anyone to write checks, to put 'em where to place 'em where they want to is in violation of First Amendment free speech. However, APAC naacp, they all have the right to do so and they all should do so. The question is, where are the stop gaps? Where is the issue? See, I always often, I should say, reflect on the courage of morality. I go back to if we have the principles of the founders of this society, that alone should embolden in you. If that doesn't embolden you, who will defend America's form of democracy? The most ironic government in the world, right? I say ironic because it is all right. It goes back and forth. It shifts. I don't always know where we are. But rather than confuse your viewers, let me just add something to all of this, and that might help to put it in perspective today in 2014, who is America? (21:30) I'm sorry, in 2024, who is America? Who is America? What does America stands for in 2024? Are there the same government with the same principles? We stood on pre World War ii, post-War, war ii, Korea, who are we? Are we the same government, the same people that went through the civil rights period where we established the civil rights law, the Voting Rights Act? Who are we or are we in constant flux in trying to capture and define who we are as a nation? There's a battle brewing and it's been going on since the foundation or who we are. Alexis Ville questioned who we were. I'm questioning who we are. We all need to question who we are and whoever we are, we need to stand up for it. Whoever you believe and I believe that we are, then you need to stand on that principle of courage. Wilmer Leon (22:44): And I want to add to that, who are we in a changing world? Because where we were in 1940, where we were in 1960, we after post World War ii, we were the unitary imperial hegemon. We ran the world. Now we're moving from a unipolar to a multipolar world. China is ascending. Russia is ascending with the creation of the bricks, which is Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa. And now the Saudis want to join bricks of Venezuelans, a whole lot of folks. So the global dynamic is shifting and the United States can no longer tell the world jump and the rest of the world asks how high. So in that shift in the global landscape, who are we? What are we about and what are we going to do? Because China is ascending economically, and our response to the ascension of China seems to be militarism, not economics. So that I think also has to be added to the question that you've posed. Virtual Murrell (24:13): The world in terms of power and economics evolves. And so America, Wilmer Leon (24:25): Every empire fails Virtual Murrell (24:27): America. Wilmer Leon (24:28): Every empire fails Virtual Murrell (24:30): Like Russia, like China, imperialist, Japan, Africa, the Sangha, Maori kingdoms and so on. They all fail. They all fail, but they don't fail externally. They fail internally. Confusion, frustration, egomaniacal leadership, tyrannical leadership, they fail. The course of America is on. Today is a threat. We're not threatened by the external forces. We're threatened by the internal forces of indecisiveness and being on the wrong side of just, or what is just when do we fall on the right side of just the right side of just must be demanded by the population, by the people? Cause we are the people. What does the constant say? Constitu say we the people, not we have the people and we the other half it says we the people. The more we recognize that as we the people, we are the government. That's why the students are extremely important to my framework, to my frame of thinking. I love the challenge that they're presenting to this government. And all the government can say is send in the police, arrest them, arrest the outside agitators. They want to blame everyone but themselves. But the government itself, Wilmer Leon (26:23): President Biden in part of his 2024 messaging, which is incredibly lacking, but that's a whole nother conversation. One of the things that he talks about in reference to Donald Trump is that democracy is under attack. That if you vote for Donald Trump, you're voting for the cheapening, the lessening, the attack on democracy. The first amendment of the Constitution reads as follows, Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press or the right of the people to peaceably, to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Virtual Murrell (27:17): That part is not the Constitution, that part is the moral document of the United States as the Declaration of Independence. The part the last. Right, Wilmer Leon (27:28): Right. Virtual Murrell (27:29): And what does that mean? Wilmer Leon (27:31): Well explain what you mean by that. So people don't think that I'm confusing constitute the First Amendment and the Declaration of Independence. Declar, explain what you Virtual Murrell (27:39): Mean by that. The Declaration of Independence says to the American people that you have the right to redress your grievance. And in the course of human events, let me just paraphrase. When things aren't going right, you have the right to rebel. You have the right to address your government about your issues. You have that right to peacefully assemble. You have that right Wilmer Leon (28:04): And to pick up arms if it gets to that point. Virtual Murrell (28:06): But remember one thing, the Constitution is always quoted, but really, if ever do we hear about the Declaration of Independence, Wilmer Leon (28:16): You're a dot. You're connecting a dot on connecting the dots. Because your point is that part of the First Amendment came out of the Declaration of Independence, correct? You are absolutely right. So as Joe Biden wants to continually refer to January 6th and the uprising on January 6th as a threat to democracy, and we must vote Democrat and vote for Joe Biden because he's going to protect our democracy. He is undermining the democracy by championing, agreeing with and facilitating the attack on these students. Virtual Murrell (29:02): Let's say this, as I said a moment ago, the students aren't the problem. Wilmer Leon (29:08): Correct? Virtual Murrell (29:09): It's the government. It's the government. It's not Joe Biden, it's not Donald Trump. It's all of those who stand in the way of the students to identify the problem. And if it's not resolved because somebody or some bodies want to be the leader of America, that's a different issue. Completely different issue. I saw a note earlier this young lady said it's about Trump invited and it was troubling and it was troubling when the comment was made. To me, if an African-American voter has to decide between Trump and Biden, then that person isn't black. Who the hell can identify who is and who isn't black? That's not black. That's troubling. Joe Biden thinks he can. It's troubling. But lemme say this, let me say this. I don't want to jump on Joe Biden without jumping on Trump. Okay, now let me say this. The value value of the President of the United States is not a free economy per se. It's not small or big business. It is defending the rights of the American people, the Constitution. Well, we are witnessing a political entity who decided, who decided that they were going to stand in the way and block then President Obama's choice for the Supreme Court. (31:14) The Supreme Court runs America, not the United States Congress. The Supreme Court runs America. We are witnessing it today, we're witnessing on abortion. We're witnessing on when they took out the section from the Justice Department to oversee voting rights act. We're witnessing. That's policy. You can call it law, but law is policy and policy is law. And so I will not and cannot forget that the most valuable thing the United States President can ever do is to nominate members of the United States Supreme Court and the federal judiciary as well. It is critical. Poverty is poverty. We're going to get out of it. One thing about African-Americans, we've hung our head high. We do not hang our head low. We've been to the lowest, now we're going to the high. We'll be fine. We'll be fine. We understand that in order to survive in this country and thrive, we must be able to get an education. (32:33) We must be able to fight to address our grievances with the court. And then we must have the right to vote. The right to vote also means you must have the right not to vote, but not to vote. Not because, oh, my person ain't going to win. Not for that reason, because for the ultimate, oh, then so much. Well, so-and-so won by one vote. Yes, that was important, but it's not as critical as understanding that you do have that power and that power needs to be harnessed and organized. Don't you remember Wilmer when in the sixties we didn't, in the South, they didn't have the right to vote. We got the right to vote and they begin to represent black Americans throughout the south. And that just exploded throughout America. Wilmer Leon (33:25): That happened after the Civil War in the south. That's why we had reconstruction. And that's why reconstruction was violently brought to an end. Virtual Murrell (33:35): Well, no reconstruction one was brought to an end. We are in reconstruction two today. Wilmer Leon (33:42): Oh, well yeah, I was talking about post civil War. Virtual Murrell (33:44): Yes, I get it, I get it. But you raised the correct point. And that is white primaries, Plessy versus Ferguson poll. Taxes, taxes, poll, tax. They're all coming back in a more sophisticated stealth form. Gerrymandering voting is one for an example. So we must spend time. I said this to some students recently, I figured out at least for myself, that the issues we deal with in America, African-Americans, our differences, our issues a little bit different from other ethnic groups. First of all, we're not people of color sharing the same experience. We're a black with a unique experience. That unique experience was the experience of inhumanity, of enslavement. No other group can claim that. And I don't want to claim it as a virtue. I'm claiming it as a historical fact. Now we understand what it's like to go through all these changes in the world, but we must stop being on the defensive end of it when something happens, we follow. (35:04) I'll give you a key example. Oh, the small business administration, the courts have ruled against minorities in the eight A program, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. Well, okay, fine, they never really supported in the first place, but that isn't the problem. The problem is we react to it and say what we must do. So we're on the defensive, we're always punting. We're never carrying the ball across the goal. It is time. We advance the proposition of not being on the defensive but carrying the ball and moving forward. And rather than relate to that issue on small business, let's raise the banner, raise the bar and score if that makes any sense to you. Wilmer Leon (35:52): Oh, that makes perfect sense to me. I think an apt description of what you've just laid out or articulated is we spend too much time going along to get along and we don't spend enough time championing, articulating and ensuring that our interests are at the forefront and being addressed because there are interests. And we keep being told, not now, not now be patient. Yours will come by and by vote for the Democrats or vote for whoever. They'll take care of it. And we want, in fact, there is an interesting piece to this point. I'm glad you made that point about the point about Joe Biden saying in the 2020 campaign, if you vote for Donald Trump, then you ain't black. There is a piece, fewer black voters plan to vote in 2024. Post Ipsos poll finds 1300 black adults finds that a poll of more than 1300 black adults finds 62% of black Americans say they're absolutely certain to vote. (37:10) That's down from 74% in June of 2020. And then they go on and they quote some individuals that they interviewed. And this one young lady says that she's not going to vote for Biden because of the way the economy is going, how inflation is going. The issue on Palestine, Biden has not delivered on the criminal justice police and voting rights reforms that he campaigned on. And other people mentioned the Middle East conflict, I'll read that again. Biden has not delivered on the criminal justice police and voting rights reforms that he campaigned on. What they're saying is, you came to us for our vote. You promised us policy initiatives and you have failed to deliver on those policy initiatives. Now you come back to us, ask us for your vote again. And more people in the community are saying, we're not falling for the banana. And the tailpipe trick again, Virtual Murrell (38:14): Let me respond to that. The way a Philip Randolph responded to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, president Roosevelt, they were having a discussion about the needs of African Americans and they, Phillip Random. I said, whatcha going do about it? Roosevelt responded and said, Wilmer Leon (38:40): Go, make me do it. Virtual Murrell (38:41): Make me do it. So we have to, the moral of the story is we have to make them do it. Wilmer Leon (38:49): Exactly Virtual Murrell (38:50): Now. And in saying that, I say this, so the front page stories or the talk show hosts are talking about black men not voting and why aren't they voting? You want us to vote, but what do we get for the vote? Oh, you get a Supreme Court justice. Oh, you don't get to tell the banks that control the mortgages that African-Americans are suffering because we don't have home ownership. In Los Angeles in 19 18, 30 6% of the American people owned their own homes. 36% had their own mortgage as far cry from today in 2024. So the question is, you want us with you and I would like to be with you, but make me be with you. Make me be with you. And how do you do that? Well, there's enough on your desk to show you what you haven't done. Now lemme switch over to Trump. Lemme switch over to Trump. This society is prepared to say to us, first of all, lemme say this, you shouldn't need any black votes to beat Trump. Wilmer Leon (40:16): We're only 13% of the population. Virtual Murrell (40:19): No, not for that reason. No, not for that reason, Leon. It's because there are some white people that say that they support Biden that obviously do not. Wilmer Leon (40:29): But that goes to my point. We're only 13%. So if you were able to rally your own, you wouldn't need Virtual Murrell (40:39): Us. But I'm going to a different issue. I Wilmer Leon (40:42): Understand Virtual Murrell (40:42): That I'm, I'm saying that there are, they're Wilmer Leon (40:46): Lying. Virtual Murrell (40:47): There are a great number of people that are being very stealth in their relationship with questioners questionnaires about how they feel about Trump. Because if I don't understand polls being almost even right now, it makes no sense. So you want to lean on African-Americans, but you don't want to lean on the white middle class. But the white middle class gained more than black supporters gained from any administration, Republican or Democrat. What Trump is saying is this, democracy is fine, but I'm going to redefine it. I'm going to redefine it for the people that support me. (41:37) So it's not for the soul of the Democratic party, it's not for the soul of democracy, it's for the soul of your politics. So in the soul and for the soul of your politics, I would encourage and urge the President to demonstrate what African-Americans get for being with. See white folks know what they get for being with Trump. We don't know what we get for being with Biden. For an example, Ginsburg, they want to praise Ginsburg for being this person on the Supreme Court. We know where she was, we know her background. But what we don't say to her is what we don't say. Why didn't she retire from the bench and give Obama a chance to put someone on the bench like Kenji Jackson or others like her? So are we novelists at this game or what am I in my sophomore year of college and I don't understand America, what is going on with us? So I'm raising questions I find by raising questions I may get answers. Wilmer Leon (42:53): You may get answers. Well, to your point, Trump and a lot of people don't pay attention to this language. I'm drawing a blank on the guy that was his key political advisor in 2020. Virtual Murrell (43:13): You talking about Trump or Wilmer Leon (43:14): Trump's Trump's key advice? I'm drawing a blank. Virtual Murrell (43:16): Steve Bannon, Steve Bannon, Wilmer Leon (43:17): Steve Bannon, Steve Bannon talked in terms of deconstructing the administrative state in a lot that has gone over the heads of a lot of people. He said, we are going to deconstruct the administrative state. He's talking about attacking the constitution and folks that has fallen on deaf ears. People seem to forget the fact that that was ever stated. But I want to get back to this piece that's in the Washington Post that we've just been talking about. Again, the title is Fewer Black Voters Plan a Vote in 2024 Post Ipsos Poll finds. Because that story in and of itself speaks about an incredible reality. But there's also another element to how that story is being used, because that story is part of a number of stories that are laying the groundwork to blame African-Americans. If Joe Biden loses, and again, we're here to connect the dots. This story in a vacuum is very telling. And it's true. Joe Biden is losing the African-American base of support. But it's not because we're indifferent. It's not because we're apolitical. It's not because we're disinterested. It's because you haven't given us anything to vote for. And my years in studying political science in virtual, you tell me if I'm right or wrong, people are more inclined to vote for something than they are to vote against something. Virtual Murrell (45:17): The question is whether or not you won an enthusiast. Wilmer Leon (45:20): Oh wait minute. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. One more point. Because they did the same thing when Hillary Clinton lost. When Hillary Clinton lost to Donald Trump. They blamed us. Oh, black people in Michigan didn't turn out. Oh, black people in Pennsylvania didn't turn out. They tried and there were a lot of black people in Hillary's campaign that tried to blame the black. It wasn't that we didn't turn out. It was that Hillary Clinton didn't give us any reason Virtual Murrell (45:46): To. Well, I think also you must, when you say that, you also got to add that white women supported Trump. Wilmer Leon (45:54): That's true too. Oh yeah. Oh yeah. That's true too. In fact, because a lot of those suburban white women that had that traditionally were voting Republican, that during the Obama administration voted for Barack Obama, they reverted back to voting Republican. Virtual Murrell (46:20): Well see we went to the apex of politics when Obama was elected president. And so you had a number of Americans, let's say, who would say, how could this have happened? And not only did it happen once, it happened twice, Obama's the only person that receive that won the presidency back to back with 50 plus percent of the vote. If you recall, bill Clinton had less than 48% of the vote the first, the second time. And 43% of the vote the second, the first time. And then we lost reelection with Carter in 1980. And so from 1980, well actually from the election of 80 until Obama's election, no Democrat had ever been elected twice except Obama. Since when? Can you remember the last time a Democrat won was reelected? Wilmer Leon (47:25): No, Kennedy was assassinated and Johnson didn't. Virtual Murrell (47:29): No. With 50% of the vote is what I'm saying. No, because Kennedy was a two term president, but not with 50% of the vote. And all of a sudden Trump said, I see my opening and I'll just create a controversy. He wasn't born in the United States. He's an illegal president. And that carried him because there are enough white people who wanted to believe that. I can't believe it. How did Wilmer Leon (47:58): He become, Virtual Murrell (47:59): He's a Muslim president less than 150 years outside from the Emancipation Proclamation and this guy's president of the United States, look what they could do in another a hundred years. So I look at politics as a method of delivering benefits. If you're in Oakland, California where we have history and then we support a mayor and this person, a candidate, and this person becomes the mayor, and we say, well, I'm bringing my winner's ticket to the winner's window. What do I get? I'm cashing in. But there are people that are able to bring the, they're losing tickets to the winner's table and win. There's something wrong with that calculation. But white privilege has always had its advantage. And that's why it's white privilege. They have the advantage that we don't have and will happen that way until we challenge the precepts. Until we find another parent, Mitchell, another Ron Dells another bill Clay, Charlie Wrangle sto. Until we, Barbara Jordan, until we find this old guard, we're not going to be able to compete. Period. Wilmer Leon (49:28): It's important I think at this stage of the conversation to delineate or differentiate between direct versus indirect beneficiaries. Politics is the debate over the distribution of limited resources, the allocation and distribution of limited Virtual Murrell (49:50): Resources. That is an aspect of politics. Yes. Wilmer Leon (49:53): And so Barack Obama wins his first term. What is the first piece of legislation that he signs? This is debatable. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. That is a payoff to the women that supported him. He gives us the Dream Act. The Obama administration gives us the Dream Act that's a payoff to the Latino community that voted for him. First American president to come out and support same-sex marriage. What does that do? That's a payoff to the alphabet community, the L-G-B-T-Q community for supporting him. That's politics. That's what's supposed to happen. Your constituents who successfully put you in office, get paid back for supporting and putting you in office. What do we get? Oh, well there are black women that those are direct beneficiaries, but Virtual Murrell (51:06): It's never the president's fault because you don't get anything without a demand. Wilmer Leon (51:14): Oh wait minute, minute. Hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on. Because you're right. But those are direct beneficiaries of participating in the process. We're told we're supposed to be happy being indirect beneficiaries because there are black people in the L-G-B-T-Q community, there are black women that are going to benefit from the Lily led better Fair Pay Act. There are black people that are going to vote. I mean, so we are supposed to be happy as indirect beneficiaries when real politics, the real winners are direct beneficiaries. Virtual Murrell (51:55): You cannot fault when we have representations in the name of the Congressional Black caucus. You can't fault white folks that don't represent our interests. Wilmer Leon (52:08): No. Virtual Murrell (52:08): Who don't deliver. Look, in 1968, Nixon was president. The Congressional black caucus went to Nixon and they were able to negotiate benefits for the black community. And that happened on and on and on and on until recently until the last 20 years or so. And why is that? And there's a reason for it because in the old days, I say old days among the initial group of congressional black caucus of members, they grew out of black activism. They grew out of the black community. They were with the OEO program. The executive directors of OEO program like Parent Mitchell was executive director. They all, bill Clay came off the city council and alderman in St. Louis. And he was a part of the labor community or interest there. I mean, the point is they came out of activism that taught them through practice what politics was about and how you get what you want to get, what you need to have. (53:19) And so we have been let down in a sense, not by individual members of the Congressional Black Caucus, but we've been let down by those members as a group who are Democrats first and black second and we are fed or they are fed the thought, well if you're not with us on this, we could lose the majority. If you're not winner us on that, we will not regain the majority. So we are always the numbers that make a difference, but what we get for it, I'm waiting to see it materialize. And so I don't want to blame or put at fault the Democrats nor the Republicans. I want to put at fault those who negotiate for black people. In other words, if you have a labor union and virtual morale is your labor representative and I come back and we want a $10 an hour raise and we only get a $6 an hour raise, somebody's going to say we need another representative. We need a different business agent. Because this is not significantly different from what we had before. So we need now listen, the guy who initiated the legislation on the antisemitism was a black guy out in New York. Wilmer Leon (54:45): Yes, he's Virtual Murrell (54:46): Cause that was his constituency. Wilmer Leon (54:48): Yes sir. Was he Virtual Murrell (54:49): Wrong to do that? No, because politically he was working for his constituency. I get that. Well what about me? Wilmer Leon (54:59): What? Wait a minute, wait a minute. See, because he is wrong. Because you made the point. They're Democrats first and black second. What? I'm drawing a blank on a guy's name from New York, what he Virtual Murrell (55:15): Torre Torres Torres, Wilmer Leon (55:17): What he fails to appreciate is Palestinians are black. Virtual Murrell (55:22): No, he didn't fail. No, no, no. Absolutely not. Yes, yes, yes, yes. No. What he was relating to is how many checks he'd get from the Jewish community. But wait a minute, he didn't. Wilmer Leon (55:35): That's my point. He didn't care. Virtual Murrell (55:37): That's my point. He didn't care about anything else because the Jewish community controls Manhattan. Wilmer Leon (55:44): We're saying the same thing virtually. Okay, alright. We're just coming at it from different sides of the equation. But no, we're saying the same. There's no way in the world that any black man in any position of power or black woman in any position of power should be siding with Zionist. You are supporting genocide. Virtual Murrell (56:08): You're Wilmer Leon (56:09): Supporting genocide. Virtual Murrell (56:10): See, you're going back to an issue, and I'm trying to lay out a distinction. Wilmer Leon (56:18): Richie Torres, Virtual Murrell (56:19): He is a Democrat. He's not black. And he's not black in his politics. He's a Democrat in his politics. So if that's true, and if you can agree with that, then the conclusion is yes, he supports genocide. Wilmer Leon (56:37): That's what I said. Virtual Murrell (56:39): No, I'm saying, but that's the rational conclusion. Wilmer Leon (56:43): Okay. And Hakeem Jeffries is in the boat. Gregory Meeks is in the boat. Kamala Harris is in the, wait a minute, they all support attacking Haiti. They all support the re invasion of Haiti under the global fragility. But I Virtual Murrell (56:59): Have given you a premise. And the premise is that their priority is being a Democrat. Wilmer Leon (57:09): I agree with Virtual Murrell (57:10): You. Okay. Because that is their priority. Then you can't distinguish them from the overall policy that Democrats support. Wilmer Leon (57:19): I agree with you. Wait a minute. And that goes back to a point that you made earlier. That's immoral politics. Virtual Murrell (57:29): Yes it is. How do you come out? Wilmer Leon (57:34): See, I'm listening to you Virtual Murrell (57:35): Support Israel. Good, bad or indifferent, but you can't support Haiti. Thank you. Explain that one to me. Wilmer Leon (57:44): It's inexplicable. You can't explain it. You might as well ask me. And I agree with you a thousand percent. I just want to say it this way to make the point. You might as well ask me to explain how one plus one equals seven because I can't, and I've taken a lot of years of math to get a PhD. I can't tell you why one plus one equals seven. And that's exactly what these fools are doing. It is immoral. Virtual Murrell (58:18): Yes it is. Yes it is. And you and most of the people that I know were raised with a great sense of moral values, period. That's the way we were raised. Wilmer Leon (58:30): Right. You know this, my father used to say to me all the time, son, the one thing about right, it's always right. And the one thing about wrong, it's always wrong, Virtual Murrell (58:45): But the politicians Wilmer Leon (58:46): So do right. Virtual Murrell (58:47): But the politicians will have you to believe that power determines right. The power determines wrong and they often do that. But it has nothing to do with what's morally correct. Wilmer Leon (58:58): That is Amen my brother nothing. Amen. So let me ask you this in just a couple minutes we have left. Is this an opportunity with the black vote trending? And as we sit here now, we're still months away from the election so things can change. But as we sit here now and the black vote is trending away from Biden, and Biden can't win without us because right now, as we sit here today, his approval rating is according to real clear politics, 39.7%. His disapproval rating is 56.4. When you ask the public, is the country heading in the right direction or the wrong direction? 24.3% of those poll believe it is 65.3. I'm sorry, 65.3 believe that it's not. And in battleground states, Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Nevada, Trump is, Biden is losing to Trump in some of those states outside the margin of error. So with all of that being laid out, is this the opportunity for us to say to Democrats, we want our peace, we want it now, and you can't win without us Virtual Murrell (01:00:36): Response. My response would be this. Number one, a poll taken in May of 2024 in elections in November is way too early to make final determinations. Wilmer Leon (01:00:46): Well that's why I said Virtual Murrell (01:00:48): Me. Ask me. Wilmer Leon (01:00:49): That's why I prefaced my point. My question with that point, Virtual Murrell (01:00:53): Ask me in September. Wilmer Leon (01:00:56): No, no, no. As we sit here now, Virtual Murrell (01:00:57): Lemme finish what I'm saying. Lemme finish what I'm saying. Alright. I will be more able to read this selection after Labor day of this year. Now in terms of, is this the time for black people to plant their flag? No, it's not the time because we don't have a plan. Wilmer Leon (01:01:17): Understood. Virtual Murrell (01:01:19): It's like Ossie Davis used to say when they put together a congressional black caucus, it's not the man, Wilmer Leon (01:01:25): It's the plan. It's the plan. Virtual Murrell (01:01:27): And so to do anything without a plan, it's almost political suicide. So we do need a plan. And until that happens, when we go to the polls, people will be urged to support the incumbent because the incumbent comes closest to us upon our wishlist than does is opponent. That part I absolutely agree with, concur with the problem is we cannot continue to go on and on and on and accept a sedative and fall asleep for four years. We need a plan and someone is going to come along. The modern day, black Moses is going to put together and put together a plan for black America to advance and further than we have. We haven't made any advancement in the last, you can say that the election of Obama was an advancement. You can say that Kamala Harris' Vice President is an advance. Yes. You can say that. (01:02:33) Those are individual advancements. And when they leave, will there be another one? One day? Yeah, maybe one day. What we haven't done is to institutionalize our concerns and put together a short term agenda to make those dreams come real, become true. And you can't do it by having a list of 20 items. Just give me two or three items that we want to work on and let's make that happen. And when we make that happen, then I think we're moving closer to having what I think we need to have to make a difference. And that's leverage. Without leverage, we have no power. We have no influence without the lever. And understanding that leverage. Wilmer Leon (01:03:19): And to your point as we get out, to your point about Kamala, and to your point about Barack Obama, those are achievements to your point for the individuals, the question to the audience is how has your quality of life improved? How has your circumstance improved with an African-American president with an African-American Vice President, as the rate of homelessness increases in this country as unemployment increases contrary to the data that they want to use increases in this country. Virtual Murrell (01:03:59): I know you have to cut off, but let me ask you this. After Jackie Robinson, there was Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Larry Doy, so from Roberto Clementine and so forth and so on, after Obama, there's who? Wilmer Leon (01:04:12): And when you lay out Jackie, who, wait a minute, wait a minute. And with the point of Jackie Robinson, when you talk about Hank Aaron, and when you talk about Dolby and the rest of them, they decimated the Negro Leagues in order to get those Virtual Murrell (01:04:29): Individuals. But you're missing what I Wilmer Leon (01:04:31): Just, no, I'm not missing your point. Virtual. They adding another point. Virtual Murrell (01:04:35): I know, but the only reason I'm short circling the conversation cause I know you got to get off. Wilmer Leon (01:04:40): But no, there's nobody, to your point. Virtual Murrell (01:04:43): Yeah, that's right. There's nobody, there's, but after Jackie, we had some bodies, Wilmer Leon (01:04:50): Right? We had a whole bunch of bodies Virtual Murrell (01:04:52): Until they figured out there's too many black folks in the major leagues. Wilmer Leon (01:04:56): That's a conversation for another day. Yes, it's that's something that's near and dear to my heart. Virtual Murrell (01:05:01): Might as well, Wilmer Leon (01:05:02): Very dear to my, and a big shout out to the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League in Richmond, Virginia and the Negro Little League World Series. Virtual Murrell (01:05:10): I'm going to give a shout out to McClymonds High School that sent to America, bill Russell, Frank Veder, PE Peon, and Kurt Flood and so on Wilmer Leon (01:05:19): In Pursuit of America's Promise, memoirs of a Black Panther. Virtual Morre is the author, he's been my guest. Virtual. Where do people go to get the book, Virtual Murrell (01:05:29): Virtual morale@yahoo.com? Just go online and send it to Virtual morell@yahoo.com and you'll get your autograph signed. Copy of the book, Wilmer Leon (01:05:41): My brother. Thank you Virtual. Really appreciate it. Thank you so Virtual Murrell (01:05:44): Much. And thank you for all that you do to inform your listeners, your viewers of what's going on in America. Wilmer Leon (01:05:51): Well, as a brother from Sacramento, California that spent an awful lot of his formative years in Oakland, I stand on the shoulders of brothers like you. So thank you Virtual. I truly, truly appreciate it. Folks, thank you so much for listening to the Connecting the Dots podcast with me, Dr. Wier Leon. Stay tuned for new episodes every week. This is where the analysis of politics, culture, and history converge because talk without analysis is just chatter and we don't chatter on connecting the dots. See you again next time. Until then, I'm Dr. Wimer Leon. Have a great one. Peace and blessings. I'm out Announcer (01:06:36): Connecting the dots with Dr. Wilmer Leon, where the analysis of politics, culture, and history converge.

I stop the Braves slump, Kelenic HR, Cards catcher breaks arm on Mets backswing, Brewers call their shot, Greg Amsinger makes idiot of himself on MLB Network, Jon Heyman of NY Post agrees w/ me on Robo Umps, Sports Illustrated CFB "sportswriter" doesn't know who the Ole Miss & Auburn head coaches are, Snoop Dog's Bowl game is smokin', Joe Collier dies, Hootie Ingram passes, what an NFL player eats to stay big, NHL Stanley Cup Heidi game, jockey dies or does he? MLB teams caught telling kids to quit high school? ESPN predicting Kirk Cousins will leave Falcons sooner than later, War Admiral, stupid Olympic boycotts, Mike Tyson wrecks his Bentley, Francis Ouimet, Doug Atkins, Mike Cuellar, Bill Cowher, Ronnie Lott, Dom DiMaggio, Joe Kapp, Fenway Park burns, Mets could have been the Burros, Catfish perfect game, Willie Mays & Hank Aaron homer in same game, Bob Gibson record, Ernie Banks becomes first black man to manage an MLB team, pitcher cusses out his coach, Fred McGriff milestone, plus Pete's Tweets, This Day in Sports History, Ripley's Believe It or Not! and quotes from Leo Durocher and Don Zimmer!

Ernie Banks autographed bats, Topps baseball cards, and art, what do all of these items have in common? They could be worth money! Check it out before you throw it out with Americash! Brian Hoogeveen, The Cash Man from Americash Jewelry & Coin Buyers, joins Jon Hansen to discuss items that could be worth money. If you […]

Anna Davlantes, WGN Radio's investigative correspondent, joins Bob Sirott to share what happened this week in Chicago history. Stories include the dedication of the Ernie Banks statue at Wrigley Field, the launch of the first all-female baseball team, the parking meter deal that was not released, Chicago’s first sponsored radio broadcast, and more. Sponsored by […]

MLB Opening Day in South Korea?! Hank Aaron has Seoul, Spencer Strider gets the start, CFB loves it some ESPN for 7.8 billion, new Bama HC already paid like he's Saban, Master's Champions Dinner menu includes Basque stew & truffles, Jim Harbaugh's garage sale includes his snow globe collection, sportswriters disrespect Roberto Clemente, God Bless America, Squash: It isn't just for dinner anymore, Old Chocolate, passing of a Braves coach, Ernie Banks, NCAA tourney upsets, plus Pete's Tweets, This Day in Sports History, Ripley's Believe It or Not! and baseball quotes from Casey Stengel and Warren Spahn 

As the great Ernie Banks would say, "It's a great day for a ball game, let's play two," so we have our first-ever doubleheader!   If you'd like to choose a specific topic or dedicate an episode to a friend send a donation of your choice on Venmo to @NoChitChatTrivia and write the topic you'd like in the comments: https://account.venmo.com/NoChitChatTrivia   Our official store is live!  Support the show by grabbing a NCCT shirt, hat, puzzle, or more: https://www.thetop10things.com/store   Visit our sister site thetop10things.com for travel and entertainment information!   Thank you to everyone who listens!  Say hello or let's collaborate: nochitchattrivia@gmail.com    

He's probably the greatest first basemen of all time, with a career .273, 2,583 hits, 1,305 runs, and 1,636 RBI; he was called up to the All-Star game fourteen times, and was the ninth player to reach 500 home runs. Yet Ernie Banks never won a World Series ring. The simple answer is that he started his Major League career with the Chicago Cubs, played with them for eighteen years, and retired from the Majors as a Cub. His one-club career earned him the nickname “Mr. Cub,” which he wore with pride and a smile. Unfortunately, the Cubs' record over a near two-decade span is best forgotten (especially the 1969 collapse of 17 losses in the last 25 games of the regular season). For today's game, we're going back to September 1962. The New York Mets are finishing up their first season in their temporary home of the Polo Fields. The baseball world expected this to be the final game at the hallowed ground (but some fun and games at Shea Stadium meant the Mets would return here in 1963).  The team of Lindsey Nelson, Ralph Kiner, and Bob Murphy calls what they think is the final Polo Ground game. The Cubs are 57-100 and second-last in the league, and the Mets are last. In the head-to-head, the bottom of the table teams are level at 7-7 with four games to play… You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN196209230.shtml This game was played on 23 September, 1962. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

Born: Sunday, February 05, 1928 in Roulette, PA USAHe was the kind of player who's worth doesn't always show up in the box score, but yet his determination and aggressiveness to win made him one of the most valuable players on the world championship of 1960. Don Hoak, nicknamed Tiger by Dodger pitcher Clem Labine because he was always starting fights, was a solid fielder who twice led the circuit in fielding percentage at third base who also would contribute at the plate, hitting over .280 in three of his four seasons with the Bucs.Many players felt he was such an important cog to the club's championship run. Cy Young Award winner Vern Law felt his fighting spirit rubbed off on everyone helped push the club over the hump to the title, while legendary reliever Roy Face thought he was the most underrated player on the team. What ever it was, Hoak definitely wanted to fit the tough boy persona. He was a Marine in World War II where he saw some action in the Pacific theater and also spent sometime as a boxer in the middleweight division and his tough image was something he prided himself on.Tiger came up with the Dodgers in 1954 and was part of their memorable 1955 world championship team, the only title that the legendary team from Brooklyn would win. He was dealt to the Cubs the year after where he hit .215 and went on his way Cincinnati in 1957. It was there that his career finally started to take shape as he led the senior circuit in doubles with 39 and fielding percentage with a .971 mark while hitting career highs in both homers 19, and RBI's with 89. Hoak was named to his one and only selection in the mid –summer classic that year. Don slumped in 1958 and was dealt to the Bucs along with Smoky Burgess and Harvey Haddix in a seven-player deal that many felt was the final piece in the Pirate 1960 championship machine.In 1959, Tiger proved that his .261 average in 1958 was just a fluke as he broke .290 for the first time when he hit .294, before moving into his best all around season in the Steel City. Hoak would show a rare glimpse of power during that magical season, hitting 16 homers to go with 79 RBI's and a .282 average. While his numbers were good, it was his grit, determination and leadership that found him finishing second to teammate Dick Groat in the National League Most Valuable Player voting ahead of such Hall of Famers as Willie Mays, Ernie Banks, Roberto Clemente and Eddie Mathews.

Born: Sunday, February 05, 1928 in Roulette, PA USAHe was the kind of player who's worth doesn't always show up in the box score, but yet his determination and aggressiveness to win made him one of the most valuable players on the world championship of 1960. Don Hoak, nicknamed Tiger by Dodger pitcher Clem Labine because he was always starting fights, was a solid fielder who twice led the circuit in fielding percentage at third base who also would contribute at the plate, hitting over .280 in three of his four seasons with the Bucs.Many players felt he was such an important cog to the club's championship run. Cy Young Award winner Vern Law felt his fighting spirit rubbed off on everyone helped push the club over the hump to the title, while legendary reliever Roy Face thought he was the most underrated player on the team. What ever it was, Hoak definitely wanted to fit the tough boy persona. He was a Marine in World War II where he saw some action in the Pacific theater and also spent sometime as a boxer in the middleweight division and his tough image was something he prided himself on.Tiger came up with the Dodgers in 1954 and was part of their memorable 1955 world championship team, the only title that the legendary team from Brooklyn would win. He was dealt to the Cubs the year after where he hit .215 and went on his way Cincinnati in 1957. It was there that his career finally started to take shape as he led the senior circuit in doubles with 39 and fielding percentage with a .971 mark while hitting career highs in both homers 19, and RBI's with 89. Hoak was named to his one and only selection in the mid –summer classic that year. Don slumped in 1958 and was dealt to the Bucs along with Smoky Burgess and Harvey Haddix in a seven-player deal that many felt was the final piece in the Pirate 1960 championship machine.In 1959, Tiger proved that his .261 average in 1958 was just a fluke as he broke .290 for the first time when he hit .294, before moving into his best all around season in the Steel City. Hoak would show a rare glimpse of power during that magical season, hitting 16 homers to go with 79 RBI's and a .282 average. While his numbers were good, it was his grit, determination and leadership that found him finishing second to teammate Dick Groat in the National League Most Valuable Player voting ahead of such Hall of Famers as Willie Mays, Ernie Banks, Roberto Clemente and Eddie Mathews.

Born: Sunday, February 05, 1928 in Roulette, PA USAHe was the kind of player who's worth doesn't always show up in the box score, but yet his determination and aggressiveness to win made him one of the most valuable players on the world championship of 1960. Don Hoak, nicknamed Tiger by Dodger pitcher Clem Labine because he was always starting fights, was a solid fielder who twice led the circuit in fielding percentage at third base who also would contribute at the plate, hitting over .280 in three of his four seasons with the Bucs.Many players felt he was such an important cog to the club's championship run. Cy Young Award winner Vern Law felt his fighting spirit rubbed off on everyone helped push the club over the hump to the title, while legendary reliever Roy Face thought he was the most underrated player on the team. What ever it was, Hoak definitely wanted to fit the tough boy persona. He was a Marine in World War II where he saw some action in the Pacific theater and also spent sometime as a boxer in the middleweight division and his tough image was something he prided himself on.Tiger came up with the Dodgers in 1954 and was part of their memorable 1955 world championship team, the only title that the legendary team from Brooklyn would win. He was dealt to the Cubs the year after where he hit .215 and went on his way Cincinnati in 1957. It was there that his career finally started to take shape as he led the senior circuit in doubles with 39 and fielding percentage with a .971 mark while hitting career highs in both homers 19, and RBI's with 89. Hoak was named to his one and only selection in the mid –summer classic that year. Don slumped in 1958 and was dealt to the Bucs along with Smoky Burgess and Harvey Haddix in a seven-player deal that many felt was the final piece in the Pirate 1960 championship machine.In 1959, Tiger proved that his .261 average in 1958 was just a fluke as he broke .290 for the first time when he hit .294, before moving into his best all around season in the Steel City. Hoak would show a rare glimpse of power during that magical season, hitting 16 homers to go with 79 RBI's and a .282 average. While his numbers were good, it was his grit, determination and leadership that found him finishing second to teammate Dick Groat in the National League Most Valuable Player voting ahead of such Hall of Famers as Willie Mays, Ernie Banks, Roberto Clemente and Eddie Mathews.

Andy Reid to retire?! Acuña to switch-hit?! Falcons about to falcon up their head coaching search as Belichick rumors abound, how about adding playoff-choker Kirk Cousins as quarterback while they're at it, Jerry Jones is no longer a serious man when it comes to winning Super Bowls as McCarthy is kept on in what was described as a "holistic" process, who the Falcons will choose with 8th pick, college player enters 9th year in school, Mets to honor 2 cocaine-smellers, UFC fighter Sean Strickland schools Canadian reporter, Masters would welcome back woman-beater champion, Belichick has the right combination of psychosis and malice, former Bama OC O'Brien now the OC at Ohio State, Hawks in Miami, Tuck Rule Game, is Lance Armstrong really a hero? first man to swim English Channel drowns at Niagara Falls, Dan Reeves birthday, Earl Weaver and Stan the Man Musial pass, Boston ballplayer kills his family with an axe (what is it with Massachusetts people taking up axes?) Shoeless Joe screwed again, Ernie Banks and Eddie Mathews make Cooperstown, Carl Pavano's bursting spleen or how not to shovel snow in Vermont, plus Pete's Tweets, This Day in Sports History, and Ripley's Believe It or Not

This episode is the introduction to Wrigley Days, the second play in The Silverfields of Northbrook  trilogy.  Chicago's Wrigley Field, an iconic sports venue, was home to the Silverfield's favorite teams, the Cubs and Bears, the Monsters of the Midway.  Those were the years of Ernie Banks and Billy Williams, Mike Ditka, Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers, the Kansas Comet.  Michael G. Sievers, the writer, producer & creator of The Silver King's War, narrates his family's stories in the 1950s Chicago suburbs. Contact us: thesilverkingswar@gmail.com Please review The Silver King's War on Apple Podcasts Share our hero, The Silver King, with family & friends Share The Silver King's War on social media Thank you for listening to our podcast

Welcome to the next episode of Sports Card Strategy Show (and Tell), a natural extension of our flagship show, but with a focus on your cards, questions, and ability to share the who, what, and why about your PC and flipping game. Text SPORTSCARDS to 1-833-992-5727 for sell alerts. *Breaking News* Sports Card School coming soon! Classes start in November. Syllabus should drop on the site today! Get your Buy and Sell alerts by texting SportsCards to 833-992-5727. Paul and Conner visit and a local card show the Music City Collectibles at the Franklin Ag Center in Franklin, TN. Paul interviews Jason Thurston from the Collectors Store in St. Peters, Missouri. Conner Interviews Collin from Country Cards 615 Collin is an artist and expresses his creativity by taking custom cards and making them his own. Collin sells them on Instagram check him out on IG countrycards615 Collin hand cuts each piece and adds several layers. Collin sells the cards for $30-$100 Chad Guell aka Dr. Crack Opening a box from PSA to see how his submission was graded. 3 Roman Anthony PSA 9 2 Druw Jones PSA 9 2 Druw Jones PSA 10 2 Cam Collier PSA 10 Cam Collier PSA 9 2 Spencer Jones PSA 10 2 Spencer Jones PSA 9 2 Jackson Churio PSA 10 Jackson Churio PSA 9 James Wood PSA 10 Elly de la cruz PSA 10 A new submission from Nick from Break Comp showing off his graded cards! You find Nick on breakcomp.com (finding cards and breaks for less). Find Nick on Instagram breakcomp. Marty the Friel Deal sharing some vintage cards from a friends collection. Ernie Banks, Joe Jackson, Billie Wiliams, Yogi Berra, Nolan Ryan, Tommy John, The Sports Card Strategy Show is going LIVE on Whatnot on Oct 25, 2023. Buckeye Dill up next with his card submissions. 2022 Bowman U, Jordan Addison Gold Auto numbered to 75 Jazz Chisholm Jr numbered to 270 Home Run Challenge Card Shohei Othani Bobby Witt Topps Chrome Blaster Ultra Violet, Adley Rutschmann Gem Mint 10 Last but not least, Southern Soccer Idiot aka Kevin from Alabama. With his 14 card PSA reveal. 2019 Panini Prizm premier league, Declan Rice Hyper Prizm Parallel. Gem Mint 10 Chronicles Rookie Victor Osimhen Gem Mint 10 2021 Jude Bellingham Base Rookie Gem Mint 10 2018 Neymar Jr Checkerboard Gem Mint 10 2020 Kylian Mbappe Color Match Gem Mint 10 2019 Earling Haaland Prized Footballers Finest UCL Gem Mint 10

Has there ever been a player as inextricably linked to his team as Ernie Banks was to the Chicago Cubs? Perhaps not. That beautiful, tragic relationship began 70 years ago this week when Banks suited up for the first time for the team he'd come to represent as Mr. Cub, the first black player to play for the Northsiders. Mike and Bill go back through the bifurcated career of one of baseball's best shortstops and, due to injury, one of its most average first basemen. Plus, happy birthday to Ezra Sutton and Harvey Haddix!

Welcome to the next episode of Sports Card Strategy Show (and Tell), a natural extension of our flagship show, but with a focus on your cards, questions, and ability to share the who, what, and why about your PC and flipping game. It's NFL season and today is the official kickoff to the 2023 NFL Season! Time to sell your NFL cards. To be a part of the show, email sonia@nooffseason.com. Show and Tell Submissions Today from our audience members include: Loni Conley Chad Guell Buckeye Dill Ohmyshoes Duke “Denny One Time” Dodson First up with Show and Tell submission is… Duke Dodson Traded a MJ sticker for the following cards: Lamar Jackson Justin Herber Contenders Optic Orange PSA Auto 10 Luka Doncicc Donruss Optic Blue Auto Tim Larson from Signs of the Times Collectables Tim shows off his storage until full of his collectable comic books, magazines, Star Wars action figures in original packaging and vintage signs. Vintage beer cans, sports cards and items in original packaging. Loni Conley - on eBay FFholsten Gridiron King - Justin Herbert, Burrow, Hurts. Flipping for a good profit. 1967 Full Set of the Monkees 1966 Full Set of Bat Laffs - Batman and The Joker Paid $450 in total for 333 card. Total in is $525. Picked up forty six, 1957 Topps Cards 1959 Ted Williams Fleer Set 1960 set of Topps Cards Vintage Billy Martin, Mays, Dick Williams, Reggie Smith, Lou Pinella, Frank Howard, Al Spangler, Jim Katt, 1954 Bowan, Richie Ashburn, Whitey Herzog, Don Drysdale, Ernie Banks, Sandy Kofax, Carl Yaz, 57' Hank Aaron, 1954 Jackie Robinson, Frank Robinson, Ted Williams 57' Topps #1. Paul Schmitz aka Buckeye Dill Pt 2 of a 26 card PSA submission. A mix of baseball and football. 2021 Select Justin Fields Die Cut Prizm PSA 9 2021 Silver Prizm Variation Devonta Smith PSA 9 2021 Donruss Optic Trevor Lawrence PSA 9 2021 Donruss Optic Fire Stefon Diggs PSA 9 2021 Bowman University Bryce Young Prospects Pink PSA 9 2021 Bowman University Bryce Young Prospects Pink Refractor PSA 10 2021 Bowman University Cj Stroud Chrome Prospects PSA 10 2021 Silver Prizm Josh Allen PSA 10 2021 Donruss Optic Holo Michah Parsons PSA 10 Chad “Dr. Crack” Guell Anfernee Simons Silver Prizm Allen Iverson Auto Jason Tatum Silver Concourse rookie prizm Jalen Brown Rookie Jalen Hurts Concourse Prizm rookie Lamar Jackson Prizm Joe Burrow Rookie PSA 10 Joe Burrow Silver Mosaic Prizm PSA 10 Joe Burrow Silver Field level PSA 10 Ja Morant Photo Variation Disco PSA 10 Jordan Poole PSA 10 Jordan Love Sliver Prizm Auto Rookie PSA 10 Tyrese Maxey Blue Retail PSA 10 Giannas Rookie PSA 10 Oh My Shoes, Jr Shoes, and Mrs. Shoes CSG 9 2021 Panini Illusions Justin Fields 2021 Prizm Break Justin Fields Rookie PSA 10 2021 Donruss Rated Rookie Trevor Lawarence 2021 Panini Prizm Kadarius Toney Purple Pulsar 2021 Select Premier Level Justin Fields 2018 Aaron Rodgers Gold Spectrum We'd love your questions and comments on this one.

On August 24, 1989, Pete Rose signs an agreement that bans him from baseball permanently. Commissioner Bart Giamatti announces that the agreement does not contain either “an admission or a denial” that Rose bet on baseball games. The ruling will prevent Rose from seeking employment in the major leagues.On August 24, 1971, Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs hits his 512th and final career home run. Banks' homer helps the Cubs to a 5-4 victory.How many fans wish they had a owner like this? August 24, 1951, St. Louis Browns owner Bill Veeck pulls off another one of his famous stunts. Veeck allows over 1,000 fans to act as “managers” during a game at Sportsman's Park. The fans use placards to vote on lineup and strategy decisions.August 24, 1969, the expansion Seattle Pilots trade knuckleballing pitcher Jim Bouton to the Houston Astros for pitchers Dooley Womack and Roric Harrison. Bouton will become a celebrity one year later when his book, "Ball Four", is published and becomes a best-seller.Joe Glenn catches baseball's best hitters:Left fielder Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox pitches the last two innings in a 12-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers. Williams allows three hits and one run but strikes out Tiger slugger Rudy York. Joe Glenn, who caught Babe Ruth's last pitching appearance in 1933, is Williams'catcher.1919 - Cleveland pitcher Ray Caldwell is flattened by a bolt of lightning in his debut with the team. He recovers to get the final out of the game, and defeats Philadelphia, 2-1.Historical Recap performed by:Robyn Newton from - Robyn SaysThis Day In Baseball is Sponsored by - www.vintagebaseballreflections.com - Join the membership today and listen to 50 years of baseball history told to you by the folks who were there! As a special offer, all our listeners can use the term - thisdayinbaseball at the membership check out.

Braves vs Mets, Ozuna sets HR record, Braves reach 11k wins, CFB strength of schedules, Harbaugh told to take a seat, MLB & soccer head sexist? famous Indy 500 driver dies, legendary Georgia Tech man passes, Russia sends warning to Ukraine about joining the Big 10, Angel Hernandez still the 2nd worst umpire, Rico Carty & Glenn Hubbard, Rosario NL player o' week, Luke Jackson still loves the ATL, Dodger Stadium has a moat, UGA names starting QB, Falcons look good in tie as Bijan excites, another new golf league, a baseball player named Chicken Wolf as a dog gets a win vs the Reds, Johnny Mize of Demorest, Juan Marichal tries to brain a catcher, Frank Robinson nearly drowns, Cubs honor Ernie Banks, Adrian Beltre takes one in the cup-less nuts, Matt Holliday gets an earworm that's really a moth, plus Pete's Tweets and This Day in Sports History 

Cooperstown Calls:August 8, 1977, popular Chicago Cubs' slugger Ernie Banks is inducted into the Hall of Fame, helping to draw a then-record 27 Hall of Famers to Cooperstown for the event. Martin Dihigo, Pop Lloyd, Al Lopez, Amos Rusie, and Joe Sewell are also inducted.Milestones:August 8, 1988, lights are used for the first time in the history of Wrigley Field. The Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies play 3 1/2 before being rained out.1998 - Behind Rafael Palmeiro's 35th home run‚ the Orioles defeat the Twins‚ 6 - 3‚ despite 5 hits by Minnesota DH Paul Molitor. Molitor also swipes his 500th base. He's the 6th player with 500 steals and 3000 hits. 1997 Randy Johnson becomes the first pitcher to strike out 19 batters in a game twice in one season when he fans 19 Chicago White Sox in a 5 - 0 victory. Oddities:August 8, 1976, the Chicago White Sox become the first team in major league history to wear short pants in a game. The White Sox debut their Bermuda shorts - the brainchild of owner Bill Veeck - in the first game of a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals. It will be the only regular season game in which the White Sox wear shorts.August 8, 1903, tragedy strikes the Baker Bowl in Philadelphia when a walkway at the top of the stands suddenly collapses, killing 12 fans in attendance and injuring 282 others. The incident, which occurs when fans rush to the walkway to witness a street brawl, mars a doubleheader between the hometown Phillies and the Boston Braves. The second game is canceled and Philadelphia's remaining home games are played at the American League's Columbia Park. August 8, 2004 - The Red Sox defeat the Tigers‚ 11 - 9‚ despite 7 Detroit home runs. Tim Wakefield records the win for Boston despite tying a major league record by allowing 6 of the homers. Wakefield is the 6th modern pitcher to yield 6 round-trippers‚ but the first since Philadelphia's George Caster did so 64 years ago against the Red Sox. The last pitcher to give up 6 homers and still win the game was Brooklyn's Hollis Thurston in 1932. Births: 1913 - Cecil Travis, lost nearly four years lost to World War II, and frozen feet suffered in the Battle of the Bulge, may have cost Cecil Travis a chance at the Hall of Fame. Despite that interruption, his career record still shines. A hard-hitting infielder, Ted Williams later compared Cecil's swing to John Olerud's. In 1941, Travis finished third to Joe DiMaggio and Williams in American League Most Valuable Player Award voting, batting .359 with 218 hits. His lifetime .314 average is one of the highest ever recorded by a shortstop

7/9/1967 - Braves vs Mets - Shea Stadium in New York -In the 1967 season, both the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves showcased considerable performance. The Cubs, though talented, had a challenging season, ending 5th in the NL with a 87-74 record. Their inconsistency hindered a promising start, and they missed the postseason. Players like Ernie Banks and Ron Santo contributed solid performances, but the team's overall lack of depth was apparent.Contrastingly, the Braves had a more successful year, finishing 7th in the NL with a 77-85 record. Hank Aaron and Phil Niekro were instrumental, with Aaron hitting .307 with 39 home runs and Niekro posting an ERA of 1.87. However, despite these individual achievements, the Braves couldn't secure a postseason berth, as they struggled with inconsistent pitching and defense..Atlanta Braves starting lineup1 - 1B - Felipe Alou2 - CF - Mack Jones3 - RF - Hank Aaron4 - LF - Rico Carty5 - C - Joe Torre6 - 3B - Clete Boyer7 - SS - Denis Menke8 - 2B - Woody Woodward9 - P - Ken Johnson.New York Mets starting lineup1 - SS - Bud Harrelson2 - CF - Larry Stahl3 - LF - Tommy Davis4 - 1B - Ed Kranepool5 - RF - Ron Swoboda6 - 3B - Ed Charles7 - 2B - Bob Johnson8 - C - Jerry Grote9 - P - Jack Fisher

In the final hour, Dan Bernstein and Laurence Holmes were joined by historian Shermann Dilla Thomas to discuss Chicago history, the recent NASCAR experience in the city, Cubs legend Ernie Banks residing on the South Side and much more. Later, the guys reacted to former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers and his wife announcing that they are expecting their 10th child.

Joey Banks, the son of the legendary Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame icon, Ernie Banks, will join Billy and Frank on the July 12th episode of A Mick A Mook and A Mic.On this fascinating episode, Joey talks about the pressures, benefits, and drawbacks of growing up in the spotlight of his iconic father  He speaks fondly of playing catch at Wrigley Field with Hall of Famers Billy Williams and Ron Santo.Joey also mentions who he thinks was to blame for the 1969 Cubs stunning loss of the pennant to the New York Mets.After his own minor league career, Joey has made a mark for himself in Hollywood as first an actor and now a stuntman. He had one especially noteworthy appearance in Naked Gun alongside our own legendary Umpire Cowboy Joe West, who also appears in this episode.You won't want to miss this nostalgic podcast when Joey Banks visits with A Mick A Mook & A Mic

7X Emmy Winner and longtime ESPN host (Sports Look/Up Close), Roy Firestone joins me on this episode to talk about his love for Old Miami Stadium, his days as a Baltimore Orioles batboy, his lifelong friendship with Brooks Robinson, the day he walked through an abandoned Memorial Stadium with Johnny Unitas and his once-in-a-lifetime interview with members of the 500 HR club (Ted Williams, Ernie Banks, Reggie Jackson, Mike Schmidt and Frank Robinson).Support the show

In 2016, as the Cubs prepared for the National League Championship Series, our PhD Committee remembered baseball's greatest ambassador and Hall of Fame great, Ernie Banks who passed away on January 23, 2015.  Let's play two.

Just like Ernie Banks, Nigel and Nick decided to play two last weekend. In the first stop for their Sunday Funday tour, the dynamic duo headed to Kansas City's River Market area and Strange Days Brewing for a conversation with Co-owner Chris Beier and head brewer Trevor Schlam. Many beers were consumed during the day and we may or may not tell Junior the names of said beers. But he, and the rest of you, will have to come back next week for the Sunday nightcap interview with Memphis' Beale Street Brewing.

From 2019 - Ron Rapoport, author of "Let's Play Two: The Legend of Mr. Cub - The Life of Ernie Banks."

In this segment, Bob Kendrick talks about how Ernie Banks leaves the Kansas City Monarchs to join the Cubs, the isolation he felt in Chicago, and reuniting with his mentor when Buck O'Neil becomes Major League Baseball's first African American coach. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this segment, Bob Kendrick discusses Ernie Bank's early life and how he came to the attention of Buck O'Neil and joins the Kansas City Monarchs To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Season 2 Episode 11, Crawly and Dustin talk about the Michael Fulmer signing and how the Cubs pitching staff is shaping up and Crawly continues his interview with Bob Kendrick, president of the Nego League Baseball Museum on the early years of Ernie Banks' life, his relationship with Buck O'Neil, and his Cubs career. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we begin BKP, with a posthumous salute to Sal Bando, who finally succombed to his five year battle with cancer, Friday January 20, 2023, at his home in Wisconsin. From his 1965 College World Series title and MVP, to his three consecutive MLB World Series crowns, with the A's from 1972-1974, Captain Sal was one helluva player. He also was the first Brewers free agent sign in 1977, and led the Krew to their first winning season in 1978, as well as the franchise's first post season appearance in !981. He would later serve nine years as a Brewers GM. We will miss you Cap. Rest in peace, godspeed and time will not dim the glory of your deeds. Then we will break down the story of Mr Cub, Let's Play Two, Ernie Banks. From his humble beginnings in Dallas, Texas, to his tours in the Negro Leagues, to his life as a North Chicago icon, he lived an amazing life. He is arguably one of the most humble, loyal and optimistic baseball player who ever lived. Today, on the 8 year anniversary of his death, we celebrate his life at Backwards K Pod. #ErnieBanks #ChicagoCubs #RonSanto #BillyWilliams #PhillipWrigley #FergusonJenkins #BillHand #NewYorkMets #PatJarvis #LeoDurocher #JackieRobinson

On this Day in Atlanta Braves and MLB History brought to you by Rhinoshield Eddie Mathews Don Sutton Sandy Koufax, Yogi Berra and Early Wynn Ernie Banks Ozzie Smith MLB Commissioner Bud Selig See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chicago Cubs number one  prospect Brennen Davis has been making headlines since being drafted in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft after signing for $1.1 million. His career has been highlighted so far by winning back-to-back Buck O'Neil Cubs Minor League Player of the Year awards and the 2021 MLB Futures Game MVP. Both of these honors came during a time where the minor leagues took a backseat due to a cancelled season. In this episode of Keep Swinging, the potential future face of baseball talks about how he was able to stay focused, the lessons he learned from raising many animals at home and what excites him most about the city of Chicago with host Matt Stucko. Get to know one of the brightest young stars in baseball in this episode!

Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins sits down with Bob Kendrick in front of a live audience at Play Ball Park in Los Angeles, talking about his career with Ernie Banks and the Cubs, the legacy of Buck O'Neil, Dick Allen, Roberto Clemente, and much more.To support the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and preserve the legacy of Buck O'Neil, please visit ThanksAMillionBuck.comFollow Bob Kendrick on Twitter - @nlbmprezVisit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City - NLBM.com