Hey there 30 for 30 listeners, I want to invite you on the journey.

Back to when America's pastime was about more than just winning and losing.

Racial segregation forced black baseball players to forge their own path, creating leagues

that are often left out of history and record books.

I'm Vanessa Ivy Rose.

My grandfather was the legendary Norman Turkey Stearns, and on this season of reclaimed,

a podcast from ESPN's partners at ABC, we're going there.

Tell them the stories of the forgotten legends of black baseball.

Today, we're bringing you episode one of reclaimed The Forgotten League.

If you like it, you can hear the rest of the story at the link in our episode description

or stick with us right here.

We'll be sharing the rest of this incredible six episode series in the days to come.

This game day, at Comerica Park in Detroit, home of the Tigers, is June, and there's rows

upon rows of empty green plastic seats, just beginning to be warmed by the summer sun.

The picture's mound is covered, the perfect green of the outfield is undisturbed.

This is what the ballpark is like hours before the crowd gets here.

The setup is like any other baseball game during the regular season.

In a few hours, those familiar players will run out to a familiar feel.

Hot dogs will be eaten, beer will be poured, but one thing will be different, the opening

song.

At the edge of the field, there are two singers doing the soundcheck.

Tonight, and for one night only, these singers will perform, lift every voice and sing.

...