Cherokee Hall of Famer Early Wynn and the 1959 White Sox – A Conversation with Author Lew Freedman

NDN All-Stars is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.EPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of the NDN All-Stars Podcast, we sit down with award-winning sportswriter and author Lew Freedman to talk about one of baseball’s overlooked legends — NDN All-Star #23 Early Wynn (Cherokee), a Hall of Fame pitcher and 300-game winner who helped lead the 1959 Chicago White Sox to the World Series. Lew shares what inspired him to write about this gritty, blue-collar team and its underappreciated ace, and why Wynn's name deserves to be remembered alongside the all-time greats.We dive into:Wynn’s Alabama upbringing and early dreams of playing footballHis dominance with the Cleveland Indians and standout 1959 season with the White SoxThe evolution of pitching, the rarity of 300 wins, and why it’s unlikely we’ll see anotherAnecdotes about Wynn’s no-nonsense attitude on the mound — including legendary quotes about brushing back hitters, even his own motherThe legacy of the 1959 White Sox, featuring Luis Aparicio, Nellie Fox, and moreWhy some baseball greats fade from public memory — and why they shouldn’tLew also gives us a sneak peek at his upcoming book on Yankees catcher Bill Dickey, and talks about the challenges of researching forgotten sports legends.0:02 – Why Lew Freedman chose the 1959 White Sox4:10 – Early Wynn’s Cy Young season and influence10:00 – Wynn’s playing style and mound presence18:45 – Remembering the overlooked stars of the era24:00 – The rarity of 300-game winners31:50 – Researching Early Wynn at the Baseball Hall of Fame38:00 – New project on Yankees Hall of Famer Bill DickeyLew Freedman is an award-winning journalist and the author of over 100 books, many on baseball, Native American athletes, and sports history. A lifelong researcher and storyteller, his work helps preserve the stories of sports figures often forgotten over time. Learn more about Lew and his books here.Buy the Book: Early Wynn, the Go-Go White Sox and the 1959 World Series by Lew FreedmanNDN All-Stars Blog: Stories about Native athletes like Early WynnFollow us on Instagram: @ndnallstarsIf you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the NDN All-Stars Podcast and leave a review to help more listeners discover these important stories. Share it with a baseball fan who should know the name Early Wynn.SUPPORT NDN ALL-STARSIf you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.NDN ALL-STARS BACKGROUNDHey there—I'm Bill Black, and welcome to the NDN All-Stars Podcast. If this is your first time hearing about us, let me tell you what we’re all about.This podcast is where Native sports history comes alive. Each episode shines a spotlight on the great Native American athletes you should know—past and present. From Hall of Famers to hometown heroes, we tell the stories of Native athletes who made their mark—on the field, on the court, and in history.We keep it real. No sugar-coating. No museum talk. Just straight-up stories told with pride and purpose—because representation matters, and these All-Stars deserve to be remembered right.Some episodes are deep dives into a single athlete’s life. Others bring on guests—historians, authors, even the athletes themselves—who help us connect the dots between culture, identity, and achievement.Whether you’re Native, a sports fan, a history buff, or just curious—this podcast will give you a new perspective on what greatness really looks like.So if you're ready to learn, laugh, and maybe even get a little fired up—hit that follow button and join the team.You can find more stories, merch, and updates at NDNAllStars.com. And be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube—just search for NDN All-Stars and you’ll find us.NDN All-Stars – Promoting Great Native Athletes – Past & Present!