From playgrounds to the pros

Why has Oakland produced so many all-star athletes? This is the question that propels Paul Brekke-Miesner’s book “Home Field Advantage: The City That Changed the Face of Sports” through decades of local history, from the playgrounds to stadiums. His exploration helps explain not only the origins of this highly concentrated pool of athletic ability, but also why so many local stars have used their visibility to call attention to social struggles, long before Colin Kaepernick famously took a knee to protest police violence.

An Oakland native who grew up playing ball in the Eastmont neighborhood and began covering sports at Castlemont High more than half a century ago, Brekke-Miesner brings deep knowledge about such iconic athletes as Bill Russell, Ricky Henderson, Frank Robinson, Curt Flood and many others to our conversation in this episode. Along the way, we also discuss the impact of Prop. 13 on youth sports, some very unlikely superstars, and why The Town might be better off without the billionaire owners who keep breaking our hearts. Listen now on Apple, SoundCloud, Spotify or wherever you get podcasts.

East Bay Yesterday can’t survive without your support. Please donate to keep this show alive: www.patreon.com/eastbayyesterday

McClymonds High School has produced an astonishing number of professional athletes, including Bill Russell and Frank Robinson, who were the first Black men to become professional coaches in the NBA and MLB, respectively.

Best of the best? Ricky Henderson might be Oakland’s greatest homegrown athlete, but there are a few other contenders in the running. Check out the podcast to hear who else Paul Brekke-Miesner thinks might have a shot at the crown. [Photo: Brian Krans]

When the Oaks abandoned the East Bay for Vancouver in 1955, after playing baseball here for 50 years, this cartoon symbolized fans’ disappointment. It wasn’t the last time a sports team would ditch The Town’s. Listen to the interview with Paul Brekke-Miesner to hear his take on this heartbreaking cycle of betrayals.

If you want to hear more about local sports history, including the story of how a pitcher for the Larks became Oakland’s first Black mayor, check out episode 19: “Before the A’s: The East Bay’s Earliest Baseball Teams,” co-produced by Cyrus Farivar.

East Bay Yesterday can’t survive without your support. Please donate to keep this show alive: www.patreon.com/eastbayyesterday

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