Black Diamonds: Cool Papa Bell, Judy Johnson

BLACK DIAMONDS: AN ORAL HISTORY OF THE NEGRO LEAGUES, Program 2 of 6. Important figures in the world of Black baseball from 1920-1950 give their thoughts on the quality of play, barnstorming, prejudice and the white Major Leagues. The interviewer is Stephen Banker, and this program focuses on Cool Papa Bell (pictured above) and Judy Johnson. To learn more about them, please click the links below:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cool_Pap...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judy_Joh...

[@royalblue5022]

This is my family, my father's first cousin. He should have been treated better and recognized when he was alive. You can hear how much he loved life and the game of baseball. As great as he was he remained humble, not weak, just humble and disciplined. ❤

[@rooseveltgreen1276]

my all-time favorite player Cool Papa Bell

[@TheBatugan77]

Cool Papa once hit a grounder up the middle - and was called out because the ball hit him as he slid into second base!

[@garyyost5568]

I wish I could have seen Cool Papa Bell play. Correction I wish I could have seen alot of them greats play back then.

[@xman777b]

I wonder how Rickey and this great man would've compared if they both played together in MLB

[@tahoepoet]

Wish I knew more about the light ball (Gibson) vs. heavy ball (Campy, Perkins). How would a catcher, (or anyone) throw a heavy or light ball? And knowing this, how would a runner like Cool Papa Bell use that to his advantage?

[@pauljulion]

JT 💪🏽

[@douglasudell3616]

A heavy ball is very fast bal that make a sound when it hit the glove and light ball is slower and makes a little sound when it hit the glove .l am an old man that remember thos days

[@douglasudell3616]

When the pitcher comit to pitch cool Papa would be about 1 third of first base when the ball leave the pitcher hand going to the hitter cool Papa head to. 2 second base if the hitter hit ground ball cool Papa would go to 3 base and may even score to home plate l miss thos days so much

[@MTAxclaire]

Hi! Curious if you have the transcript for this interview??

[@noochinator2]

No, I don't

[@robertpoet5503]

Nice painting!! Who's the artist?

[@noochinator2]

I don't know

[@masonrahal6980]

Campanella might have been the greatest catcher in MLB history.

[@benbonafasini9225]

Josh Gibson seems to be the consensus. Sounds like mostly because of offense.

[@treygray2817]

Cool Papa is correct; the SB leader is not necessarily the best baserunner. That said, it's obviously a strong indicator. I love his accent!