Unseen STL History Talks: March 2025
Baseball's deep roots in St. Louis
Spring is in the air, and that means two things in St. Louis—warmer days and the return of baseball season! As the Cardinals gear up for Opening Day on March 27, we’re stepping up to the plate a week early with a history talk dedicated to the city's deep baseball roots. St. Louis has been a baseball town for well over a century, and this month, we’ll explore the stories, legends, and impact of the game on our city’s past.
On March 20, Unseen STL History Talks slides into a new venue—Leviathan Bookstore (3211 S. Grand Blvd., between Wyoming and Humphrey). We’re bringing in heavy hitters Adam Kloppe from the Missouri Historical Society and James Crossley from Leviathan Bookstore to share their knowledge of St. Louis baseball lore. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the talks starting at 7 p.m. A $5 cover supports the event.
South Grand is home to a number of excellent restaurants within a block or two of the bookstore, so why not make a night of it? Grab dinner beforehand and then join us for an evening of baseball history. Parking is metered on Grand until 7 p.m., and free on residential streets nearby. There's also a metered lot next door and a large free lot behind businesses on the east side of Grand at Hartford.
The Talks
This month, we’re bringing two fascinating perspectives on St. Louis baseball history to the plate.
Adam Kloppe will explore a game-changing moment in Major League Baseball history. In 2024, MLB announced that Negro League statistics would officially be added to the Major League record book, finally giving legendary Black players the recognition they deserve. But this decision is about more than stats—it’s about honoring the talent, resilience, and innovation of the Negro Leagues. St. Louis played a major role in that history, from early professional Black teams in the 1880s to the only stadium built exclusively for Negro League play—and even a little-known Black women's baseball team.
James Crossley will dive into the deep connections he’s forged between baseball, books, and the city that lives and breathes the sport. His talk, Libraries and Diamonds: How a Lifetime of Balls, Bats, and Books Led One Man to America’s Last Baseball City, promises a unique journey through the literary and cultural side of the game.
The Speakers
Adam Kloppe is a public historian with the Missouri Historical Society, where he has helped to shape many projects about history in St. Louis, including the major exhibitions: The Louisiana Purchase: Making St. Louis, Remaking America; Panoramas of the City; Flores Mexicanas: A Lindbergh Love Story; and, most recently, The 1904 World's Fair, a new core gallery at the museum that offers the museum's first new re-interpretation of the Fair in 20 years. He is currently working on an exhibit about St. Louis baseball history that is scheduled to open in September 2026.
James Crossley is a longtime bookseller and recent immigrant to St. Louis, where he operates Leviathan Bookstore. He has been a judge for the Dave Moore Award, given to the most important baseball book of the year, and has seen the game played at levels high and low on multiple continents. Despite his considerable baseball experience, his strongest fannish allegiance remains with perennial also-rans, particularly the Seattle Mariners and St. Louis Browns. You can follow him on Instagram at @leviathanbookstore and Bluesky at leviathanbookstore.bsky.social.
Join us on March 20th!
Whether you’re a lifelong baseball fan, a history buff, or just looking for a great night out, this month’s Unseen STL History Talks is sure to be a home run. With two engaging speakers, a brand-new venue, and plenty of nearby dining options, it’s the perfect chance to celebrate St. Louis’s rich baseball legacy while connecting with fellow history lovers. So grab dinner, grab a seat, and join us on March 20 at Leviathan Bookstore for an evening of stories, stats, and surprises from St. Louis’s baseball past. We’ll see you there!
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