Octavio “Cookie” Rojas

Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color line in 1947, but it took another generation of Black and Latino players to make the sport truly open to all. Playing in remote minor-league towns, these were the men who, before they could live their big-league dreams, first had to beat Jim Crow.

Emanating from Studio 42 -- named in honor of Jackie Robinson -- in MLB Network's Secaucus, N.J., headquarters, this series features the Hall of Fame-worthy interview skills of Bob Costas talking baseball with the legends of the game, Hall of Famers in their own right. Guests including Willie Mays, Bob Feller, Hank Aaron, George Brett, Reggie Jackson and Cal Ripken Jr. have graced the replica baseball field-designed studio set, reminiscing with Costas about their days on the diamond while also discussing current events and issues surrounding the game. Costas has also spent time on the show with broadcasters Al Michaels and Ernie Harwell, entertainer and big-time baseball fan Billy Crystal, and fronted episodes discussing baseball in Cuba and the state of umpiring.