Big Broadcast Bites: Baseball Hall of Famer "Cool Papa" Bell

We honor James “Cool Papa” Bell — a legend of the Negro Leagues and one of the first of its members to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Bell was known for his lightning speed and powerhouse hitting. Widely regarded as the fastest runner in baseball history, Bell’s legacy lives on through stories shared by his goddaughter, WAMU's midday host, Geri Mitchell. This is an extended version of an interview that originally aired in a shortened form on The Big Broadcast on February 23, 2025.

The Big Broadcast is WAMU’s longest-running program. The show features a collection of  radio from the golden age, the 30s, 40s, and 50s, hosted by Tony-Award winning playwright, lyricist and director Murray Horwitz.