Native America Calling: The Native American pastime

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Tuesday, July 19, 2022

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The Native American pastime

Cherokee pitcher Ryan Helsley is headed to his first MLB All-Star game.

The St. Louis Cardinals’ flame-throwing reliever from Tahlequah, Oklahoma, is having a career year with a divine 0.69 ERA and fastballs topping out at 103mph. Helsley, along with Adrian Houser (Cherokee) on the Milwaukee Brewers, are the two Native players in the show right now and are part of a long line of Major Leaguers providing inspiration for players on reservation diamonds all over the country.

Today on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce takes us out to the ballgame for one of Native America’s favorite sports.

Happy 28th Birthday to All-Star closer @_RHelsley! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/YTnuQ585aF
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 18, 2022

Guests on Native America Calling

Ryan’s dad Jason Helsley (Cherokee), who is in Los Angeles for All-Star game

Brandon Bailey (Chickasaw), a pitcher in Cincinnati Reds organization

Kailyn Bearpaw (Euchee and Creek), right fielder for the University of Tulsa softball team and member of the American Athletic Conference All-Rookie Team

Curt Brown, history columnist for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and champion for the oft-forgotten career of Native Hall of Famer Charles Bender.