Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 389) — Are you a baseball fan? Today we're digging into some baseball history as it was depicted in the 1976 movie "The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings." Learn about the history of barnstorming baseball teams with Ben Railton, Professor of American Studies at Fitchburg State University. We'll discuss how the movie's characters mirror real legends like Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and Jackie Robinson. Ben is the host of the podcast Baseball, Bigotry and the Battle for America and author of Of Thee I Sing: Race and American Patriotism.

Guest Links

Black and White and Read: links.boatspodcast.com/389guest
Ben Railton's Podcast: links.boatspodcast.com/389podcast
Of Thee I Sing: The Contested History of American Patriotism: links.boatspodcast.com/389book


Chapters

0:00 Intro & Movie Synopsis

3:45 Guest Introduction & Historical Accuracy Grade

7:22 Characters & Real-Life Parallels

10:13 Negro Leagues & Barnstorming Context

17:05 Owner Violence & Labor Activism

20:41 Performance, The Invite Pitch & House of David

32:51 Hardships & The Climactic Game

42:40 Jackie Robinson & End of an Era

49:19 Wrap Up & Two Truths and a Lie



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Email me: dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.com