Bijan Bayne

Bijan C. Bayne, a frequent contributor to Andscape, is the author of Martha’s Vineyard Basketball: How A Resort League Defied Notions Of Race & Class.

Silas looks on

NBA great Paul Silas was forged in Oakland, California, a product and part of its legendary Black history

A child during the Great Migration, the three-time NBA champion drew inspiration from the rare talents he grew up around to become one himself

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Sports
ROBINSON RICKEY

Jackie Robinson wasn’t the only candidate to break baseball’s color line

Branch Rickey’s search ranged widely across Latin America and the Negro Leagues

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Culture
Ellis and Blue illo 16×9

Fifty years ago, baseball’s All-Star Game showcased an unspoken Black arms race

The 1971 contest was the first to feature two Black starting pitchers, Vida Blue and Dock Ellis

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Sports
Boston Celtics v Los Angeles Lakers

Elgin Baylor was the standard in a gold uniform

The Lakers great was the stylistic role model in the NBA long before Showtime

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Sports
Muhammad Ali and Jerry Quarry During Bout

50 years ago, one amazing month put Atlanta in the national sports spotlight

Muhammad Ali returned to the ring, Hank Aaron’s pursuit of Babe Ruth got serious and Pistol Pete arrived in the NBA

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Sports
Martin Dihigo with team lead

‘The Immortal’ Martin Dihigo may have been the best baseball player ever

The Cuban star thrived in the Negro Leagues and has been enshrined in five national halls of fame

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Sports
Washington LEAD

Behind the complicated relationship between Washington and baseball

The Nationals could win their first World Series, but would it be bittersweet?

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Sports
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Press Conference

50 years ago, Alcindor and O.J. were both leaving L.A., but their paths quickly diverged

Two huge stars from rival schools in Southern California were drafted by pro teams in the chilly Rust Belt

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Sports

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