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Story category: sports
Champaign Starts Up Minor League Baseball Exploratory Committee
Story air date: Tuesday, January 31, 2012
An exploratory committee is forming with hopes of learning in about a year whether Champaign can support a minor league baseball team. A former minor league owner, sports enthusiasts, and someone who helped lure a collegiate team to town in the 90’s were among the 15 people at the group’s initial meeting Monday night.
Illinois Public Media’s Jeff Bossert talked with committee chair Tony Johnston, who was tapped by Champaign Mayor Don Gerard to lead the group.
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Extended Interview with Tony Johnston :
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government • Champaign • lifestyle • recreation • sports • taxationHank Greenberg: The Hero Who Didn’t Want to Be One
Story air date: Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Hall of Fame slugger Hank Greenberg was known for more than his intimidating figure and prodigious home runs. The Detroit Tiger favorite also became a hero for those of the same faith. Illinois Public Media’s Jeff Bossert talks to author Mark Kurlansky about the complicated life of the Jewish sports star.
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history • sportsLIFE ON ROUTE 150: Racing Tradition Kept Alive in Farmer City
Story air date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
Traveling along Route 150, you’ve got to obey the rules of the road, but at one popular hangout in Farmer City, those same rules don’t apply. Illinois Public Media’s Sean Powers took a trip there for the wild and fast world of dirt late model racing as part of the series “Life on Route 150.”
(Photo by Sean Powers/WILL)
Audio Slideshow of the Farmer City Raceway
Historical Photos of the Farmer City Raceway
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history • sports • transportationFilm Recalls Player and Coach's Contributions to the Game of Baseball
Story air date: Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Buck O’Neil is regarded today as an ambassador to baseball history, particularly that of the Negro Leagues.
The 16-year veteran with the Kansas City Monarchs went on to become the first black coach in the major leagues, joining the Chicago Cubs organization in the early 60’s, but he also was a Negro League manager and big league scout.
A documentary by a Champaign physician sheds new light on the legend’s contributions to Chicago’s rich baseball history. Illinois Public Media’s Jeff Bossert talks with Dr. David Fletcher, the man behind plans for a Chicago Baseball Museum, about how Buck O’Neil’s contributions to the game are helping that effort.
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- Chicago Baseball Museum web site
- Jeff Bossert's 2005 interview with Dr. David Fletcher on the museum project
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history • sportsStories from the “Three-I” Baseball League
Story air date: Friday, September 24, 2010
Lots of baseball fans in and around Danville will spend part of their summer attending collegiate games, but the collegiate Danville Dans have only been around since 1989. Much of the early baseball history surrounding the city involves minor league baseball there, and the Three-I League…or Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. The league lasted from 1901 to 1961.
Danville’s involvement in the league actually predated Danville Stadium, going back to 1910, but John Dowling’s first job as a batboy with the Danville Dodgers came as the park opened in 1946- at age 13. Illinois Public Media’s Jeff Bossert talked with the retired educator to discuss his role with the team
