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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
  • Feb 6, 2023 · 3 hr 16 min

    Topps' Most Valuable Player In The World, 1952 World Series Game 7

    It's the 1952 World Series with the Yankees and Dodgers taking it to Game 7. On the Yankees line-up is a certain Mickey Mantle, and his 1952 season is one for the record books. This was the year of the Topps Mickey Mantle Baseball Card… the most expensive baseball card in the world Although Topps' cards debuted in 1951, that year saw a pack more akin to playing cards. 1952 saw the cards we know and love; the picture, the text, and the candy. 407 players, in three sets, but it was Mantle's card which (ahem) came out on top, with a recent auction of one of these cards fetching $12.6 million. But would the player with the most valuable card become the most valuable player in the World Series decider? Mel Allen with Red Barber calls the action. You can find the boxscore here. This game was played on October 7th, 1952.

  • Jan 30, 2023 · 2 hr 37 min

    The All-Star Game of All-Star Games, 13th July, 1971

    You expect to see the big names in any All-Star Game. But in 1971, the two rosters between them featured 21 players who would eventually reach the Hall Of Fame. Of the 16 position players, 10 would reach Cooperstown. Willie Mays opens up the batting; Roberto Clemente makes his last All-Star appearance; Hank Aaron reaches the fence for the first time in the Summer Classic; heck, even Pete Rose pops up. If you want to watch out for something special, count off how many home runs are hit, and how many are hit by future Hall of Fame'es. You'll never listen to another game like this one. Calling the game for NBC Radio are Jim Simpson and Sandy Koufax. You can find the boxscore here. This game was played on July 13th, 1971.

  • Jan 23, 2023 · 2 hr 59 min

    Luis Aparicio Steals The Season, Yankees at White Sox, 20th May, 1960

    Who can steal bases? Luis Aparicio can steal bases. With nine consecutive years as the American League leader in stolen bases between 1956 and 1964, and over 500 in his career, Aparicio is one of the legendary base runners. And that's before you look at his record number career hits as a shortstop… only beaten by the New York Yankees' Derek Jeter in 2009. Is it any wonder the Chicago White Sox retired his #11? In today's classic, we join the 1960 White Sox as they welcome, of course, the Yankees to Comiskey Park. The White Sox, 17-10, are leading the American League with the Yankees fourth, two and a half games behind. You can find the boxscore here. This game was played on May 20th, 1960.

  • Jan 16, 2023 · 2 hr 38 min

    Goodbye Forbes Field, Cubs at Pirates, 28th June, 1970

    After 61 years, the Pittsburgh Pirates said goodbye to Forbes Field in the middle of the season before moving to Three Rivers Park. Built in 1909 it was the home not only of the Pirates, but also the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers, and the University of Pittsburgh's Pitt Panthers. We join Bob Prince, Nellie King, and Gene Osborn on KDKA for the second game in the double-header. The Pirates took the first game 3-2, can they close out their time at Forbes Field with a final victory? You can find the boxscore here. This game was played on June 28th, 1970.

  • Jan 9, 2023 · 2 hr 17 min

    One Final Chance To Win, Mets At Cubs, 30th September 1962

    As the regular season of 1962 comes to a close, the New York Mets have already claimed a daunting record… the most losses in a season. Having passed the Athletics 1916 record of 117 losses on September 23rd, the Mets headed to Wrigley Field for the final game of the season with a record of 40-119 (plus one tied game). Could the players find a bit of honor to close out the debut season with a win, or would they reach the talismanic mark of 120 losses? Bob Murphy, supported by Ralph Kiner and Lindsey Nelson, calls the game on WABC. You can find the boxscore here. This game was played on September 30th, 1962.

  • Jan 2, 2023 · 2 hr 59 min

    Satchell Paige And His World Series First, World Series 1948, Game 5

    Satchell Paige spent over forty years playing baseball at various levels, but his mark in history is a simple one… he was the first African-American to pitch in the American League, and the seventh player to integrate into the majors. He did that when he was 42, and he remains the oldest debutant in either league. He was also the first African-American to pitch in a World Series, and it's that game we join today. It's Game 5 of the World Series, and Paige's Cleveland Indians are up against the Boston Braves. Bob Feller is the starting pitcher, defending a 3-1 series lead for the Indians. Mel Allen and Jim Britt are behind the microphone for the Braves radio broadcast. You can find the boxscore here. This game was played on October 10th, 1948.

  • Dec 26, 2022 · 2 hr 13 min

    The Year Of Four 20-Win Pitchers, Angels At Orioles, 6th May, 1971

    The Baltimore Orioles won the 1970 World Series, but the 1971 campaign would match a pitching record that stands to this day. The four starting pitchers Pat Dobson (20-8), Dave McNally (21–5), Mike Cuellar (20–9), and Jim Palmer (20–10) all posted 20 or more wins. The only other team in the history of the majors to have four pitchers on 20-plus wins in a season are the 1920 White Sox. We join the Orioles for the second game in a double-header with the California Angels. The teams would meet throughout the year, eventually contesting the ALCS. As Pat Dobson takes to the mound, the Orioles are 4-1 against the Angels for the season Chuck Thompson and Bill O’Donnell are your announcers on Baltimore Orioles Radio. You can find the boxscore here. This game was played on May 6th, 1971.

  • Dec 19, 2022 · 2 hr 20 min

    Bob Gibson’s Strikeout Masterclass, Tigers at Cardinals, 1968 World Series Game 1

    1968 is known as ‘The Year Of The Pitcher’, and there was no finer pitcher than Bob Gibson of the St Louis Cardinals. Since then, no pitcher has come close to matching his ERA of 1.12. The Cardinals were not just one pitcher though, and the whole team worked together to top the American League and take on the Detroit Tigers in the World Series (1968 was the last year before the playoff system was introduced). The Cardinals had home-field advantage for Game 1, and they put Bob Gibson on the mound. On the biggest baseball stage in the world, Gibson is about to set a World Series record that stands to this day. We join the NBC Radio Network, with Ernie Harwell and Pee Wee Reese behind the microphone. You can read the boxscore here. This game was played on 2nd October, 1968.

  • Dec 12, 2022 · 2 hr 28 min

    Goodbye Milwaukee, Mets at Braves, 18th July, 1965

    1965 would be the last year that the Braves would play in Milwaukee. The plan had been to say goodbye to the city and move to Atlanta at the end of the 1964 season, but their stadium lease saw them play out one more year. The Braves maintained an impressive win record throughout their time in Milwaukee with two pennants and one World Series, and never once posting a losing record. We join the second game of a double-header against the New York Mets at Milwaukee County Stadium, the stadium that kept them in place for that final year. The box-score can be found here. This game was played on 18th July, 1965.

  • Dec 5, 2022 · 3 hr 13 min

    Striking Out The Greatest, The All Star Game, 10th July 1934.

    The 1933 Chicago World’s Fair saw what was planned to be a one-off "All Stars" exhibition game, with two rosters selected by the fans of each league. Following its success, including a significant charitable donation from ticket sales, the Midsummer Classic returned in 1934. Stepping up to the plate for the American League are five bona fide legends, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons and Joe Cronin. Facing them on the mound for the National League was Cal Hubbell and his classic screwball. Pitching in his home field, Hubbell is about to set a strikeout streak that remains one of the greatest fannings of all time. The box score can be found here. This game was played on July 10th, 1934.

  • Nov 28, 2022 · 2 hr

    Don Larsen's Perfect Game, Dodgers at Yankees, 1956 World Series Game 5

    It’s Game 5 of the 1956 World Series. Pitching for the Yankees is Don Larsen. Following four walks and four unearned runs given up in Game 2 before the end of the second inning, there was little indication that Larsen was about to throw the only perfect game in World Series history. Bob Wolff and Bob Neal call the game for MBS Radio, and as is tradition, never mention the no-hitter is on, let alone a perfect game… although Wolff might drop a few hints. See if you can spot them. The box score can be found here. This game was played on October 8th, 1956.

  • Nov 21, 2022 · 2 hr 19 min

    Astrodome Opening Day, Yankees at Astros (on Astros Radio)

    The 1965 season saw the opening of the Houston Astrodome, and the first Major League Baseball games to be played indoors. For Opening Day, the Yankees were invited to the Astros for an exhibition game to open the Dome. With recordings available for both team broadcasts we can contrast two different legends behind the microphone. In this episode, our second visit to this game, we can hear the Astros Radio broadcast of the exhibition, with Harry Kalas, Loel Passe, and Gene Elston. This game was played on April 9th, 1965.

  • Nov 14, 2022 · 2 hr 57 min

    Astrodome Opening Day, Yankees at Astros (on WCBS Yankees Radio)

    The 1965 season saw the opening of the Houston Astrodome, and the first Major League Baseball games to be played indoors. For Opening Day, the Yankees were invited to the Astros for an exhibition game to open the Dome. With recordings available for both team broadcasts we can contrast two different legends behind the microphone. In this episode, the Yankee’s broadcasting team of Red Barber, Phil Rizzuto, Jerry Coleman and Joe Garagiola, for WCBS. This game was played on April 9th, 1965.

  • Nov 7, 2022 · 2 hr 24 min

    Goodbye, Washington. Yankees at Senators, April 9th, 1971

    1971 was the last year of the Washington Senators, with the team moving to Arlington to become the Texas Rangers. It’s the Senators' third game as they welcome the New York Yankees to RGK Stadium for a four-game series. The box score can be found here. This game was played on April 9th, 1971.

  • Oct 31, 2022 · 2 hr 34 min

    Who Will Challenge The Yankees? Red Sox at White Sox, August 2nd, 1936 (Double Header, Game Two)

    Following a four-game series with a single day of rest, the Red Sox once more took to the field at Comiskey Park and faced the White Sox in a double-header. With both teams chasing the New York Yankees for the pennant, this series was vital in setting up the Bronx Bombers’ challenger in the back half of the 1936 season. The box score can be found here. This is the second game of the double header played on August 2 1936.

  • Oct 24, 2022 · 2 hr 7 min

    Someone Has To Challenge The Bronx Bombers. Red Sox at White Sox, August 2nd, 1936 (Double Header, Game One)

    Following a four-game series with a single day of rest, the Red Sox once more took to the field at Comiskey Park and faced the White Sox in a double-header. With both teams chasing the New York Yankees for the pennant, this series was vital in setting up the Bronx Bombers’ challenger in the back half of the 1936 season. The box score can be found here. This is the first game of the double header played on August 2 1936.

  • Oct 17, 2022 · 2 hr 28 min

    One Goes Up, One Goes Down. Mets at Cubs, July 14, 1969

    For the opening half of the 1969 season - the first season with the AL and NL having two divisions in each league - the Cubs were on .700, but would eventually fall to .568 and lose to the Mets’ .617 following a collapse in the back half. We join the Mets on the road to the Cubs as the season starts to turn its way The box score can be found here (link). This game was played on July 14 1969.

  • Oct 10, 2022 · 3 hr 2 min

    Before They Were Legends, Scully calls for Koufax, Cubs vs Dodgers, June 4th 1957

    A regular season game with a pair of young Dodgers legends; Sandy Koufax, barely two years into his career, takes the mound, while up in the radio booth you have a 29-year-old Vin Scully calling the first three innings. You can find the box score here (Link). This game was played on June 4 1957.

  • Sep 6, 2022 · 2 hr 48 min

    A Final Day Decider In The AL. Yankees vs Red Sox, October 2nd, 1949

    The American League Pennant came down to the final day in 1949 The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox were deadlocked on 96 wins… and that final day saw the Yankees take on the Red Sox in a nerve-wracking title decider at Fenway Park. This game was played on October 2 1949.