Classic Baseball Radio

Ewan Spence

Through recreations of the original radio broadcasts, the history of America's favorite pastime is retold, one classic game at a time. We use archived news reports, articles, and historical records to recreate the sound and style of the broadcasts. Listen and relive key moments, historical hits, and the legends of today taking to the field when they were at the peak of their career.

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126 episodes
Updated July 4

Episodes126

Newest first

Jan 1, 2024 · 2 hr 16 min
The Last Brooklyn Dodger, Mets at Dodgers, May 22, 1963.
It would be hard for any pitcher to stand out with Sandy Koufax as a teammate. Don Drysdale made it look easy. The left-handed Koufax and the right-handed Drysdale are arguably the best pairing in Los Angeles sporting history, no matter the sport. Drysdale's lifetime ERA of 2.95 curiously matches his World Series ERA on a 3-3 record. Putting aside the first and last years of his 14-year career, he had more than ten wins per season, with 49 shutouts to his name. And he's sixth on the all-time 'Home runs by pitchers' table. Drysdale spent his entire time in the majors with the Dodgers, first in Brooklyn and then in Los Angeles. He held the club record for wins (209) when he retired, but his retirement was a historic moment for another reason. He was the last of the Brooklyn Dodgers on LA's roster. For today's broadcast, we're early in the 1963 season. The Dodgers are 25-16 and welcome the New York Mets who have posted a 16-25 record. Drysdale is on the mound, and he's never going to leave it until the game is over, no matter what the Mets throw at him. Behind the microphone, there are the familiar voices of Lindsey Nelson, Ralph Kiner, and Bob Murphy on the New York Mets Radio Network. You can find the boxscore here. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN196305220.shtml This game was played on May 22, 1963.
Dec 25, 2023 · 2 hr 50 min
The White Sox Legend Of Minnie Miñoso, Browns at White Sox, July 1, 1953.
Minnie Miñoso earned his legendary status countless times. He was the first Afro-Latino in the Majors, the first black player for the White Sox, and one of the first Latin Americans in the All-Star Game. He picked up three Gold Gloves, batted eight seasons over .300, and was the second player to appear in major league games in five different decades. Of course the White Sox retired #9. Our broadcast today goes back to 1953, and Miñoso is on course to post a .313 for the year. The White Sox have 42 wins so far and welcome the Browns, with just 27 wins, to Comiskey Park. Al Helfer and Art Gleason share the microphone, and they'll have their work cut out for them… everyone loves filling airtime when there's a mid-game rain delay! You can find the boxscore here. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA195307010.shtml This game was played on July 1, 1953.
Dec 18, 2023 · 2 hr 49 min
Nolan Ryan, The Greatest Pitcher Who Never Won The Cy Young, Twins at Angels, September 27, 1973
Let's take another game to appreciate the legendary Nolan Ryan. A Hall of Famer who played in the major leagues for 27 years, Ryan laid claim to be one of the greatest pitchers of all time. A lifetime .526 record, a record 5714 strikeouts, a record seven career no-hitters, a joint-record 12 one-hitters, and appearances in four separate decades. Yet he never won a Cy Young Award… perhaps another record he holds (most career walks by a pitcher, at 2795) played a part in that. His career took off when the California Angels picked him regularly as a starting pitcher after the Mets traded him in late 1971. We’ll jump forward a few years to the end of the 1973 season… a season with Ryan throwing two no-hitters and setting a high-water mark of 383 strikeouts. Ryan is on the mound and facing divisional rivals, the Minnesota Twins, in a final four-game series of the year. It's a dead rubber in the AL West, but the series will determine who finishes third in the league. The teams have a 7-7 record against each other, but the Angels are four games back. Four wins, and the Twins are overhauled. The pressure of pride is on. Dick Enberg and Dave Niehaus are behind the microphone. You can find the boxscore here. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL197309270.shtml This game was played on September 27, 1973.
Dec 11, 2023 · 2 hr 32 min
Bob Bruce Welcomes The Ryan Express, Mets at Astros, September 19, 1966
Bob Brice has a pitching career anyone would be proud of. His 1964 season was probably the pinnacle; with nine complete games, four shoutouts, an ERA of 2.76, and one immaculate inning. Like many pitchers, Bruce's speed tailed off and his ERA climbed in his final years, not helped with a lengthy period on the 1966 IL with an eye infection in his final year with the Astros, but there are still moments worth noting. One such is when he and the Astros welcomed the New York Mets to the Astrodome. Not only is Bruce is about to pitch a complete game, but starting for the Mets is a rookie who is going to become a legend…. Nolan Ryan. Taking us through the first game of this double header are the classic trio of Ralph Kiner, Lindsey Nelson, and Bob Murphy. You can find the boxscore here. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196609181.shtml This game was played on September 19 1965.
Dec 4, 2023 · 2 hr 37 min
The Impossible Dream, The Triple Crown, and Carl Yastrzemski, Cardinals at Red Sox, World Series Game 2, October 5, 1967.
Pitchers have it easy with their triple crown. Batters find it more of a challenge. Only 18 have achieved it, and only 12 in the live-ball era. Miguel Cabrera managed it in 2012, but you have to go back to 1967 to find the next. And there you'll find Carl Yastrzemski. Yaz racked up 44 home runs, 121 runs batted in, while batting .326. More than enough to take the Triple Crown, along with the MVP, an All-Star appearance, and a Golden Glove. Yastrzemski and the Red Sox in 1967 lived "The Impossible Dream." From a ninth place finish in the AL in 1966, the team lifted the AL pennant on the final day of the season. It had been 31 years since their last pennant, and now just the St Louis Cardinals stood between them and the biggest trophy in baseball. That would be the Cardinals who had Bob Gibson pitching… Nobody said it would be easy. We join the Series after the Cardinals won the first game. Taking us through are NBC Radio's Harry Caray and Pee Wee Reese. You can find the boxscore here. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS196710050.shtml This game was played on October 5, 1967.
Nov 27, 2023 · 2 hr 42 min
Jim Perry Ain't Heavy He's Gaylord's Brother, Orioles at Twins, ALCS Game 1, October 3, 1970.
Jim Perry made three appearances on the All-Star stage, won the Cy Young Award, lead the AL twice for wins, and in 2023 is 84th on the all-time wins list with 215 successful appearances. Yet you probably know him as the older brother of Gaylord Perry. Curiously, the two pitching brothers only met once. July 3, 1973 with Gaylord pitching for the Twins and Jim for the Tigers. Gaylord was charged with the 5-4 loss, and I'm pretty sure that Jim brought this up over Thanksgiving dinner for many years. Unfortunately, we don't have that game. Instead we're going back a few years to 1970, and the ALCS. Jim Perry is on the mound for the Minnesota Twins and is facing the Baltimore Orioles for Game 1. It's a rerun of the 1969 ALCS, where the Orioles swept the Twins. The pressure is on Perry to deliver. And I'm pretty sure we have Chuck Thompson with the microphone. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN197010030.shtml This game was played on October 3, 1970.
Nov 20, 2023 · 2 hr 47 min
The Spitball And Me, Gaylord Perry, Giants at Phillies, May 17, 1969.
Gaylord Perry won the Cy Young in both the American and National Leagues, had five seasons with over 20 wins, was the third pitcher to rack up 3,000 strikeouts, joined the 300 win-club in 1982, and many more achievements. As the 2023 season ends, Perry is ranked 17th in the all time winners list. Yet Gaylord Perry is remembered for one pitch in his arsenal, the spitball. A pitch with a wicked level of drop while offering a huge amount of control to break inside or out in the hands of a skilled pitcher. And the skill was not getting caught pitching this banned ball. Did Gaylord throw a spitball, or did the opposition simply think he threw a spitball? And does that matter when you look at all of his numbers? For today's classic game, we're heading back to a time when Perry was in his prime. It's 1969 and the 20-14 San Francisco Giants are still in the Phillies backyard. With Perry on the mound they are looking to get back on level terms in the series. Taking us through the game are KSFO's Russ Hodges and Lon Simmons. This game was played on May 17, 1969. You can find the boxcore here. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI196905170.shtml
Nov 13, 2023 · 3 hr 43 min
Dick Williams And Three Managers' World Series Triple, Mets at Athletics, October 14, 1973
Three managers have taken three teams to three World Series wins. As Bruce Bochy joins this exclusive club in 2023, let's take a moment to look back at this incredibly rare achievement. Bruce Bochy led the 1998 Padres to the World Series, then winning three World Series for the Giants in 2010, 2012, and 2014; and rounding out the triple with the 2023 Rangers. The first triple manager was Bill McKechnie; winning the World Series in 19225 with the Pirates and 1940 with the Reds. His third appearance, this time on the losing side, was with the 1928 Cardinals. And now to the final manager, Dick Williams. In his first year as a manager he would take the Red Sox to the 1967 Series; his first victorious campaign would be with the Athletics in 1972 (with a back-to-back victory in 1973); finishing in 1984 with an appearance by the Padres… a Padres team that featured Bruce Bochy who pinch hitted in Game 5. Let's go back to Williams' 1973 campaign. Having won the World Series in 1972, the Athletics were looking to become only the tenth team in MLB history to achieve a back-to-back. They started out strong, with a 2-1 victory over the Mets to take the lead. Yet it's Game 2 that's in the history books. It will become, at that point, the longest game in World Series history; the top of the sixth was packed with mental errors, the sun came into play with a decisive blinding appearance that pushed the game to extra innings, and in the post-game discussions the A's owner attempted firing of Mike Andrews was a contributing factor in William's resignation in the off-season. Join Ralph Kiner and Jim Simpson for this wild ride. This game was played on October 14, 1973 You can find the boxscore here. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK197310140.shtml
Nov 6, 2023 · 2 hr 21 min
The Gashouse Gang's World Series Ejection, Cardinals at Tigers, October 9, 1934
St Louis' 'Gashouse Gang' are back in the World Series. Following victories in 1926 and 1931, and their fifth National League pennant in nine years, they are very much the favourites to earn their rings. Facing them are the Detroit Tigers who are coming off a massive 101-53 season (that .656 record is a mark the club has never beaten to this day). It's no surprise that the two teams would push each other to a World Series Game 7. Yet the 1934 Fall Classic has something even more unique. It is the only MLB game in history when the Commissioner of Baseball exercised their right to eject a player. With the Detroit crowd's hostility at the Cardinals' Joe Medwick due to a hard slide into third baseman Marv Owen growing, Medwick is assaulted by anything the crowd could throw at him. Commissioner Kenesaw Landis decided to throw Medwick out of the game for his safety and to calm the mutinous crowd. It's a memorable game, and guiding you through it are NBC's Tom Manning, Ford Bond, and Don Wilson. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET193410090.shtml This game was played on October 9, 1934.
Oct 30, 2023 · 2 hr 33 min
The Unbearable Tension Of A World Series Game Seven, Yankees at Giants, October 16, 1962
No matter how you reach the Fall Classic, dreams are made at the World Series. Once in a while, the players create something legendary. That's the case with the 1962 World Series. Let's set the scene. The Giants have won their first National League Pennant since moving to San Francisco, although they needed a three game play-off series against the LA Dodgers. The Yankees have won five of the last ten World Series, including a win in the previous year. This World Series has been heavily disrupted. Thanks to the NL play-off the first game was pushed back 24 hours. Rain in both New York and San Francisco saw both Game 5 and Game 6 pushed back. As the curtain rises on Game 7, the teams have been duking it out over 13 days. Now everything is on the line. The dream is there, the legend awaits. Behind the microphone to bring you this epic are Joe Garagiola and George Kell You can find the boxscore here. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN196210160.shtml This game was played on October 16, 1962.
Oct 23, 2023 · 2 hr 38 min
When You Need A First Baseman, Call For Stan "The Man" Musial, Cardinals at Dodgers, June 16, 1957.
Starting out as a pitcher in the minors, injury pushed Stan Musial to first base. In a Majors career that spanned twenty-three years and three world Series rings, Musial established himself as one of the greatest hitters of all time. You want numbers? How about a career average of .331 over 3660 hits, 1951 RBIs, and 475 home runs. In 1949 he was on course to win a Triple Crown in the National League, falling short by one home run… that he had a home run in a game subsequently rained off robbed him not only of the crown, but robbed the record books of the one player in the twentieth century who would have topped the league's single season tables in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, runs, hits, double, triples, and home runs. That's why Musial put the "The "in "The Man". For this week's game, we head to 1957. The Brooklyn Dodgers welcome St Louis Cardinals to Ebbets Field. Musial is third in the batting order and is going to go three from five in a productive day for his bat. But can the rest of the team back him up? Behind the microphones you have Vin Scully for the first three innings, with Al Helfter for the final six. And keep listening to the very end of the broadcast; with the last few plays missing, the team here at Classic Baseball Radio have reconstructed the calls and game summary. It's not an edit, more of a post-broadcast "here's what you missed". You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BRO/BRO195706161.shtml This game was played on June 16 1957.
Oct 16, 2023 · 2 hr 34 min
The Terrific Tom Seaver Guide To Striking Out Everybody, Padres at Mets, April 22, 1970.
The New Yorks Mets have just won the World Series, in no small part to star pitcher Tom Seaver. The expansion franchise starts the new season with every intention of continuing that winning form, as does Seaver. How dominant? Only twenty pitchers have struck out 18 or more batters in a regular 9-innings game. As the Mets welcome the San Diego Padres, Seaver is about to become part of that exclusive club in an utterly commanding performance. 9 innings, 2 hits, 1 earned run, 2 walks, and 19 strikeouts. Taking you through a memorable mets game are the classic trio of Bob Murphy, Lindsey Nelson and Ralph Kiner. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN197004220.shtml This game was played on April 22, 1970.
Oct 9, 2023 · 2 hr 21 min
Ron Blomberg Was The First Designated Hitter In The Majors, Yankees at Orioles, June 28th, 1973.
The Designated Hitter rule was adopted by the American League in 1973. Nearly fifty years later, and with much debate that has started to quieten down, the National League followed. In that time leagues at every level around the world introduced the pitcher's replacement bat. Somebody had to be first though. And the first was the New York Yankees' Ron "Boomer" Blomberg. It was April 6th, 1973, the wind blowing out to right field, and Blomberg faces Luis Tiant… five pitches later, Boomer walks to first base. All designated, no hits, but on base. That'll do nicely. We don't have the actual game where Blomberg was the first DH, but we do have a game a few months later. The Yankees are visiting Memorial Stadium to take on the Baltimore Orioles. Boomer is fifth in the order, with the still-unusual DH letters beside his name. Behind the microphone is the platoon of Frank Messer, Bill White, and Phil Ruzzuto. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197306280.shtml This game was played on June 28th, 1973.
Sep 25, 2023 · 2 hr 31 min
He Catches, He Hits, He Homers, He's Ted Simmons, Cardinals at Pirates, August 14th, 1971.
Ted Simmons was one of the MLB's greatest catchers. Two games with the St Louis Cardinals in 1968 started his career in the game, but after a year in AAA his natural debut came in 1970. When he retired after 21 years in the majors, he held the catcher records for 2,472 career hits (with 483 doubles), ranked second for RBIs with 1389 runs, and 10th for home runs with 248 out of the park. Throw in seven years batting over .300, and catching two no-hitters with the Cardinals, and you get an idea of how much confidence he gave to his pitchers. We're going to pick up his career in 1971, with Simmons now established as the starting catcher for the Cardinals. On the mound is another legend, pitcher Bob Gibson. What magic can they produce as they visit the Pittsburg Pirates? Jack Buck is behind the KMOX microphone. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT197108140.shtml This game was played on August 14th, 1971.
Sep 18, 2023 · 2 hr 37 min
Bert Campaneris Can't Stop Stealing Bases, Orioles at Athletics, April 17th, 1968.
With MLB's changes to the 2023 season has seen a resurgence in aggressive base running and stolen bases. It's not yet back to the levels seen in the seventies and eighties, but a new dimension has returned to the diamond. Which leads us to the Athletics' Bert Campaneris. In the eight years between 1965 and 1972, Campaneris led the American League in Stolen Bases for six of those years. When he retired, he was seventh in career steals with 649 and is currently sitting 14th in the all-time table. Let’s not forget the records he holds at the A's, career games played (1795), hits (1882) and at bats (7180). A true legend. Today's classic baseball game is early in the 1968 season, a season which would see the Athletics posting their first winning season since 1952. It's mid April as they welcome the Orioles to the Coliseum. Campaneris is happily playing at shortstop at the top of the batting order. Al Helfer and Monte Moore split commentating duties behind the microphone. You can find the boxscore here. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK196804170.shtml This game was played on April 17th, 1968.
Sep 11, 2023 · 2 hr 38 min
Tearing Down Roger Maris' Home Run Asterisk Myth, Yankees at Tigers, September 17, 1961.
Going in to the 1961 season, the single-season record for home runs was 60, held by Babe Ruth. Leaving the 1961 season, that record was earned by Roger Maris and his 61 Bronx Bombs. Except some argued that 1961's longer season meant it shouldn't be seen as a record. Baseball Commisioner Ford Frick announced that the record was for 154 games, not 162, so it should be shown seperately with a distinctive mark, such as an asterisk. Let's be clear, that's a load of baloney. This record stood in the American League until Aaron Judge's 2022 season, clearly showing just how legendary Maris' mark was. There was never an asterisk. Roger Maris was the record holder with 61 home runs. Let's listen to one of them, as the New York Yankees play their 151st game at the Detroit Tigers. Phil Rizzuto and Mel Allen are behind the microphones. You can find the boxscore here. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET196109170.shtml This game was played on September 17th, 1961.
Sep 4, 2023 · 3 hr 8 min
The Silver Fox Of Center Field, Duke Snider and the Dodgers at Phillies, April 16 1957.
Duke Snider was, arguably, the first poster-boy for the Dodgers following their move to Los Angeles, but his legendary status (and seven consecutive All-Star appearances) was earned while the team was based in Brooklyn. During his career, this Center Fielder was named to the National League All-Star team eight times, appeared in six World Series, won the Fall Classic in both 1955 and 1959, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1980. What put him there? How about a high-water mark of 1031 runs batted in during the 1950s? Hitting four home runs in two different World Series? Or the record for most home runs off a single pitcher? Those 19 dings put Robin Roberts in the record books as well, albeit for a stat a pitcher would not want. So let's celebrate Snider's time in the show. It's opening day of the 1957 season, the last year the Dodgers would be in Brooklyn, and Snider owns center field. Can the Dodgers start a landmark season with a win? And how will the Phillies pitcher Robin Roberts' pitch count go? Roy Campanella and his team take you through the game. You can find the boxscore here. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI195704160.shtml This game was played on April 16th, 1957.
Aug 28, 2023 · 2 hr 46 min
Can You Hit Phil Niekro's Knuckleball? Braves at Astros, June 18th, 1967.
The Knuckleball… a pitch that is turbulent, unpredictable, and rarely mastered. One player who did was Phil Niekro. With 318 career victories he currently sits 16th on the All-time Winners list, the highest of any knuckleball pitcher. Of course the knuckelball is a fickle mistress. Niekro may have had three 20-win seasons, but he also had two 20-loss seasons as well; and to top it all off he is the sole MLB pitcher to pick up 20 wins and 20 losses in a single season, throwing 21-20 for the Atlanta Braves in 1979. With 24 seasons under his belt, there's a lot games to choose from. For today's classic, we're heading back to 1967, as the Braves visit the Houston Astros.Phil Niekro is on the mound, facing a pitching duel with the Astro's Don Wilson Behind the microphone are Gene Elston, Loel Passe, and Harry Kalas to take you through the game. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196706180.shtml This game was played on June 18th, 1967.
Aug 21, 2023 · 2 hr 1 min
Bob Feller Was The Fastest Pitcher You Ever Saw, Braves at Indians, October 6th 1948.
For many, Bob Feller is the fastest pitcher the baseball world has ever seen, with a reported 107 mph pitch once leaving his hand. And if Ted Williams says that's true, who is going to argue with that> In an interrupted career, Feller posted a lifetime ERA of 3.25 on 266 wins from 570 games, including 44 shutouts, 12 one-hitters, and three no-hitters. On retirement, he was the number three all-time strikeout pitcher (with just Cy Young and Walter Johnson ahead of him). Those records could well have been higher, but Feller volunteered for military service following Pearl Harbour, reaching the rank of Chief Petty Officer. On leaving the Navy at the end of the war, he started to make his way back to Cleveland… he was pitching two days later. After hanging up his glove, Feller became the first President of the Major League Baseball Players Association and fought hard for a fairer deal for the Union's members. To celebrate the life of Bob Feller, we're going back to 1948, and the first game of the World Series. Feller is on the mound for his beloved Indians, while Johnny Sain is pitching for the Boston Braves. Behind the microphone are Mel Allen and Jim Britt. You can find the boxscore here; https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BSN/BSN194810060.shtml This game was played on October 6th, 1948.
Aug 14, 2023 · 2 hr 44 min
Eddie Mathews Was Once, Twice, And Three Times A Brave, Mets at Braves, May 18th 1962
For 1.944 games, Eddie Mathews played Third Base for the Braves; first the Boston Braves, then the Milwaukee Braves, and then the Atlanta Braves. Travelling for the team as it moved cities in the fifties and sixties. And he posted an impressive record; 12 All-Star appearances, two World Series victories, and nine consecutive season with thirty or more home runs. He retired with 512 homers, putting him sixth on the all-time home run record table… today he still sits in an impressive 23rd place. Mathews is rightly regarded as one of the greatest third basemen of all time. Let's join him in his golden years. It's 1962 and the Milwaukee Braves are in County Stadium welcoming the New York Mets to their home for the very first time. Mathews is the clean-up hitter, with his legendary team-mate Warren Spahn on the mound. Sharing the microphone thorugh the game are Lindsey Nelson, Ralph Kiner, and Bob Murphy. You can find the boxscore here. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MLN/MLN196205180.shtml This game was played on May 18th, 1962.