Will Graham Profile picture
Aug 17, 2022 15 tweets 8 min read Read on X
We’ve had such an amazing positive first 4 days for the show, but predictably there are some people who are trolling the show and questioning the stories. So I thought it might be useful to post a few articles emphasizing the real history. #LeagueOfTheirOwn
This article is a great starting place for understanding the queer history of the league, much of which is still hidden. narratively.com/the-hidden-que…
Mamie Johnson tried out for the AAGPBL and was run off, very much like Max in the pilot. She went onto to play professionally in the Negro Leagues, alongside Toni Stone and Connie Morgan. beyondtheboxscore.com/2021/2/19/2228…
Martha Ackmann's book Curveball is an excellent resource for better understanding the story of Toni Stone.
In response to those saying that there weren't black people playing baseball before Jackie Robinson, I hope you'll take the chance to look into the history of the Negro Leagues, which some people say was home to better players than the MLB.
If you are interested in learning more about Negro League history, you could follow @nlbmprez Bob Kendrick, who runs the Negro League Baseball Museum and supplied us with invaluable research while we were making the show. Also Only The Ball Was White, by Robert Peterson.
This is Josh Gibson, who many believe is the greatest player of all time. He's referenced in Max's fantasy in episode 2, it's her dream to pitch to him. His great-grandson helped us on the show and also has a cameo! We were star struck. Image
For those saying that there were not Latine players in the AAGPBL, I'd like to introduce you to Marge Villa, an incredible utility player of Mexican descent.
smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-in…
There were many Cuban players in the AAPBL. @DrK1943 Kat Williams book on Isabel 'Lefty' Alvarez is an invaluable resource for understanding their experiences! Image
Our amazing researcher Natalie So (and Liz Koe who headed our research in the development process) put together these photo boards of the painstaking research she did that is reflected in the show. They are so breathtaking! #LeagueOfTheirOwn ImageImageImageImage
And some more. #ALeagueOfTheirOwn ImageImageImageImage
And some more! These ones featuring Connie Mamie and Toni. It's worth remembering there were thousands more women like them playing on industrial teams. They may not have gotten quite as far, but we should remember them! #ALeagueOfTheirOwn ImageImageImageImage
And some last ones, featuring the incredible athletes of the AAGPBL. #ALeagueOfTheirOwn ImageImageImageImage
In short, every aspect of this show was meticulously researched. What we're showing here isn't a revision of the story, it's not woke, it's not adding anything for contemporary audiences -- This is, simply, the real story. Or at the least the beginning of it. #ALeagueOfTheirOwn
There's so much more to say and so many more resources to share here! If you enjoy looking at these, we'll try to share more. And since there are so many actually qualified historians who aren't novices like me out there, please share additional resources! #ALeagueOfTheirOwn

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More from @WillWGraham

Aug 23, 2023
A very long thread: To the League fans, We found out this news along with you on Friday. I see the pain and anger and worry out there, which for the LGBTQIA+ fans of the show is of course compounded by what’s happening across the country right now. #ALeagueOfTheirOwn
So the first and most important thing to say is: Before anything, before you fight for the show or each other, please take care of yourselves. Reach out to your community and ask for help if you need it. You aren’t alone. Please be kind to yourselves.
As I’ve been thinking about what’s happened, I come back to a quote from Penny Marshall’s film: “The hard is what makes it great.” Making this show is so hard and so great. There’s quite a bit to say about what’s been hard, but at this point that’s in the past.
Read 36 tweets
Mar 14, 2023
The one thing I'll say at this moment: #ALeagueOfTheirOwn is not a small or niche show. The audience is domestic, but our understanding is that it's very big. It has outperformed many other shows that have been renewed. Journalists, please stop reinforcing the narrative ...
... That POC/Queer shows are inherently niche or small if you don't have data. That narrative is racist and homophobic and all the other stuff. Please cover these things with some thought and care.
I should have said, largely domestic!
Read 4 tweets
Mar 12, 2023
Fascinating to see #ALeagueOfTheirOwn having highest week of online engagement 7 months after release, with no new push from @PrimeVideo. It's beautiful to see new people who continue to find the show. People should be paying attention, this isn't normal.
Maybe this is also a good moment to post the full version of this quote, which we edited a tiny bit for time and to ... Not be unintentionally very on the nose?
Read 4 tweets

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