Rising Black Stars

After just three African-American ball players made the major league baseball all-star game in 2008, ten made the team in 2009. They had a big impact on the game, possibly creating a revival of the many exciting African-American players seen in year's past.

Blame Commish and Media

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig and the baseball writers of America must take the most blame for the steroids era, writes Samori Benjamin.

Lighting Rod

With the acquisition of closer Francisco Rodriquez, the New York Mets fill their biggest hole by adding a man who holds the single season saves record. Rodriquez also gives the Mets another guy who loves to dance on the field. Something they have not been able to back up. They've fired up division rivals in the process, and it has cost them.

Not Worthy Of Cooperstown

Over his 18 year career Mike Mussina had some of the best "stuff" of any pitcher in the game. To bad he didn't pitch to the ability of his stuff because he was not a great pitcher.

Yanks Must Land This Man

In 2008, The New York Yankees failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 1993. Pitcher C.C. Sabathia is an ace and available on the free agent market. The Yankees need to lock him up when free agency begins because he is the ace they've lacked for years, and his signing would create an instant buzz in New York City's black community.

Ten years ago only five players in the history of Major League Baseball had more homeruns than Reggie Jackson. Now here in 2010 and a steroids era later seven men have passed Jackson and he currently stands 13th on the all-time career homerun list. Samori Bemjamin was on hand in the Bronx when Rodriquez hit his 600th career homerun. We examine the legitimacy of A-Rod’s homerun achievements and we speak with Reggie Jackson himself and another hall of famer Joe Morgan about the steroids era and the hall of fame. We also speak with Major league baseball’s homerun leader of 2010, in this the post steroids era, Toronto outfielder Jose Bautista who was in the outfield with the opposing Blue Jays when Rodriquez hit career homerun 600.

Samori Benjamin interviews New York Mets closer Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriquez on Sunday June 20th before the final game the Subway Series.

Samori Benjamin interviews former Houston Astro and new New York Yankee Lane Berknan about his days in Houston and his now sudden oppurtunity to Chase the Ring in the Bronx.

The Night After Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers were bounced from the NBA playoffs by the Boston Celtics, putting his future in limbo Yankee Joba Chamberlain and C.C. Sabathia spoke with Samori Benjamin about hoops and Lebron. Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer speaks with Samori about resigning with his hometown team and loyalty. Twins slugger Jim Thome who is 11th on the all-time career homerun list talks about playing in the City of Cleveland as Thome spent the first 12 years of his career with the Cleveland Indians.

New York Mets pitcher Livan Hernandez talks about his development in the Cuban national baseball program as a youngster, his defection from the country, his 13 year major league career, and the influence he had on his brother El Duque, nine years his senior, who defected Cuba three years after Livan.

New York Yankees pitcher C.C. Sabathia speaks with Samori Benkamin about the decline of African-Americans in major League Baseball.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Edwin Jackson is one of four starting African-American pitchers in Major League Baseball. At 25 years old he made his first All-star team in 2009. He speaks with WBAI Sports about taking his game to another level this season after having struggles early in his career. He also speaks about playing in Tampa Bay from 2006-2008 on a rare team that had a few African-American players on, all of whom were young up and coming stars of the game.

Samori Benjamin Speaks with Detroit Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson for his Documentary/Book on the decline of African-Americans in Major League Baseball. Granderson discusses the increase in African-American All-stars from 3 in 2008 to 10 in 2009, what it was like to meet President Barack Obama, what he and 30 other African-American ball players have discussed to improve the decline and much much more.

June 17th Wakeup Call Sports Report: The Mets are victorious on the one year anniversary of the Willie Randolph firing and Jerry Manuel hiring. Yankees knock off the team with the worst record in major league baseball, plus Sammy Sosa tested positive for steroids in 2003. Also a look at the prelude to the world Cup, the confederations Cup, and a big fight night is brewing between two of the premier boxers in boxing.

A.J. Burnett throws gas in a 7-2 Yankee win in Tampa Bay, and Mariano Rivera talks about being the last major league player ever to wear Jackie Robinson's number 42.

Gary Sheffield speaks with Samori Benjamin about his recent signing with the New York Mets, and Sheffield, who is currently the only African-American player on the Mets, talks discusses the decline of African-Americans in major league baseball.

At the first event ever at Citi Field, Wbai Sports speaks with New York Post sports writer Jay Greenberg about the upcoming baseball season, the possibility of Derek Jeter changing posistions, and the steroids era. Greenberg has a vote for the baseball hall of fame.

New York Mets pitcher Nelson Figueroa speaks with Samori Benjamin at citi field before the Mets exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox. Figueroa speaks about the Mets chances for the upcoming season, his thoughts on Citi fieild, Jerry Manuel, the world baseball classic,and the great baseball passion in Latin America.

Jimmy Rice and Rickey Henderson were elected to the baseball hall of fame in January of 2009. Wbai Sports speaks Rickey Henderson. And Jimmy Rice speaks with the baseball writers about them voting him in on his 15th and final year of eligibility on the ballot.

On June 9th Ken Griffey Jr. became just the 6th player in major league baseball history to reach the 600 career homerun mark. Listen to Samori Benjamin and wbai program director Bernard White discuss the historic feat. Plus listen to Samori's report on the legacy of Griffey Jr. and his impact on African-American youth becoming excited about the sport.