Jackie, Rickey, & the Death of the Black Baseball Player ft. Howard Bryant

Howard Bryant, one of the most respected baseball writers alive, joins Matt in a special conversation on Jackie Robinson Day. Howard breaks down why Black players disappeared from MLB , what it was really like covering the steroid era, and why he believes baseball is at a crossroads right now. Plus, he breaks down his new book King of Pawns, the untold story of Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson. 00:00 - Intro 02:00 - Why Black players disappeared from MLB — "It's by design" 09:08 - Rickey Henderson: people couldn't stand him while he played 12:45 - The legendary snap catch story 13:30 - New book: Jackie Robinson & Paul Robeson — King of Pawns 17:00 - MLB impending lockout 21:00 - Are the Dodgers bad for baseball? 26:00 - Did steroids save baseball? 28:45 - Reggie Jackson told writers: "You're not doing your jobs" 31:30 - Jason Giambi's personal apology 33:30 - Derek Jeter Story 35:15 - Sean Taylor & NFL players stunned baseball contracts are guaranteed 37:00 - Why Ken Griffey Jr. doesn't like Howard Bryant