16 episodes

For decades, Black baseball players were excluded from the major leagues and forced to create their own space: the Negro Leagues. In “Reclaimed: The Forgotten League,” we’ll uncover the stories of some of these overlooked greats, including Norman “Turkey” Stearnes, one of the best hitters of all time. Overshadowed by racial prejudice and oppression, their legacy was hidden — but now, experts and family members reflect on their impact, which extended far beyond the game. We’ll discover how newly acknowledged Negro Leagues stats could rewrite history and redefine baseball’s roster of GOATs. Vanessa Ivy Rose, granddaughter of Turkey Stearnes, brings us on a quest to excavate the stories and stats of Black players who were shut out of the major leagues, a legacy that still haunts the sport. The series includes interviews with family and friends of Turkey Stearnes, including a living Negro Leagues player; never-before-published audio of Stearnes himself; and interviews with leading historians.

Season 2 of this series, “The Story of Mamie Till-Mobley,” explored the story of the civil rights trailblazer before the death of her son, and was recognized with the Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Podcast. Season 1, “Tulsa’s Buried Truth,” covered the search for mass graves beneath Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the fight for justice for the descendants of the Black Americans killed in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

Reclaimed ABC News

    • History
    • 4.7 • 777 Ratings

For decades, Black baseball players were excluded from the major leagues and forced to create their own space: the Negro Leagues. In “Reclaimed: The Forgotten League,” we’ll uncover the stories of some of these overlooked greats, including Norman “Turkey” Stearnes, one of the best hitters of all time. Overshadowed by racial prejudice and oppression, their legacy was hidden — but now, experts and family members reflect on their impact, which extended far beyond the game. We’ll discover how newly acknowledged Negro Leagues stats could rewrite history and redefine baseball’s roster of GOATs. Vanessa Ivy Rose, granddaughter of Turkey Stearnes, brings us on a quest to excavate the stories and stats of Black players who were shut out of the major leagues, a legacy that still haunts the sport. The series includes interviews with family and friends of Turkey Stearnes, including a living Negro Leagues player; never-before-published audio of Stearnes himself; and interviews with leading historians.

Season 2 of this series, “The Story of Mamie Till-Mobley,” explored the story of the civil rights trailblazer before the death of her son, and was recognized with the Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Podcast. Season 1, “Tulsa’s Buried Truth,” covered the search for mass graves beneath Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the fight for justice for the descendants of the Black Americans killed in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

    The Forgotten League, Ep. 1: A Gentlemen's Agreement

    The Forgotten League, Ep. 1: A Gentlemen's Agreement

    Vanessa Ivy Rose is on a quest to learn more about the legacy of her grandfather, Norman "Turkey" Stearnes. That means going back all the way to the beginning of baseball, when a covert agreement shuts Black players out of the nation's pastime — until they boldly create their own league. 
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    • 47 min
    The Forgotten League, Ep. 2: Golden Age

    The Forgotten League, Ep. 2: Golden Age

    The newly founded Negro Leagues struggle to catch on — until savvy businessmen and fierce rivalries propel Black baseball to the national stage. 
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    • 36 min
    The Forgotten League, Ep. 3: Call and Response

    The Forgotten League, Ep. 3: Call and Response

    To draw crowds to their games, Black baseball players develop a signature style of play. It captivates audiences around the world — even gets the attention of one of Latin America's most notorious dictators. 
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    • 32 min
    The Forgotten League, Ep. 4: Crossing the Line

    The Forgotten League, Ep. 4: Crossing the Line

    When Jackie Robinson is signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers, he opens a door that was closed for decades. The move changes baseball forever and sets Negro Leagues players on a new trajectory. But integration comes with a heavier price than they could've ever imagined.
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    • 39 min
    The Forgotten League, Ep. 5: The Hall

    The Forgotten League, Ep. 5: The Hall

    Baseball's institutions fail to recognize Negro Leaguers as pressure builds for the sport to reconsider who counts as one of the greats. 
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    • 43 min
    The Forgotten League, Ep. 6: 'A White Man's Sport'

    The Forgotten League, Ep. 6: 'A White Man's Sport'

    The odds of seeing a Black American baseball player on the diamond were higher in the 1950s than they are today. Baseball's future will be defined by how it reckons with the past. But is it too little too late? 
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    • 57 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
777 Ratings

777 Ratings

grandrapidsboy ,

My Dad

My dad played for the Monarchs, Clowns and I can’t remember the third team, his name is Sherwood Brewer, nickname Woody, I’m going to definitely start listening to this podcast.

Lycanthrope51 ,

Truth hurts. Thanks for sharing .

See PenName69, who is triggered by facts and history that clashes with his narrow minded gutless beliefs.

Turkey's Daughter ,

Reclaimed: The Forgotten League

The 6 episodes were enlightening, informative, educational, uplifting, factual, historical, entertaining, thought provoking and down right inspirational. I had moments where I wanted to cheer and I had moments where my eyes welled up with tears.
The final episode left me yearning for more, so I hope the stories of the Negro Leaguers/Major Leaguers will continue because six episodes only scratch the surface of these talented hidden figures who were denied their rightful place in history. Vanessa and ABC News and their staff put together a phenomenal series that will resonate in the hearts of many, while carrying on the legacy of my dad Norman “Turkey” Stearnes and the Negro Leagues.
The soundtrack is a keeper too. I loved it and I am proud of my daughter Vanessa for completing this two year magnificent project with Madeleine and her awesome staff.

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