Classic Baseball Radio

Some weeks, we pick out a game that is a pivotal moment in a team's history. Other weeks, we have a classic matchup. Maybe it's a game of a storied player early in their career?Not today. Today, it's just a game of baseball. Admittedly, it's one from nearly ninety years ago, but our game is still our game. Sit back as the Senators (31-45) take on the White Sox (50-33).You can find the boxscore here:https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA193707210.shtmlThis game was played on July 21, 1937.

The 1969 season is underway, and the Minnesota Twins' Rod Carew is already raking up the hits. After seven games, he's posting .388. That form will continue through the rest of the year, his eventual .322 winning him the AL Batting Trophy for the first of seven times—enough for the title to carry his name from 2016. If you want another 1969 stat, Carew steals home seven times (just one short of Ty Cobb's record of eight).Carew's career record notably contains 15 consecutive seasons batting over .300, starting in 1969; seven 5-hit games; and an overall .328, and elected to the Hall of Fame in 1991. As for legendary status, how about becoming only the 16th player in baseball history to reach 3000 hits?For today's game, we're early in the season, though, and the 6-6 California Angels are visiting the 7-4 Twins at Metropolitan Stadium. Monte Moore & Al Helfer take you through the game.You can find the boxscore here:https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN196904210.shtml.This game was played on April 21, 1969.

The New York Mets put up a strike-less game in the 2024 National League Championship game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. It's a rare feat, but even rare are both sides forgetting to get any strikes. That was the case in the pivotal Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. Naturally, everything is on the line. We know that starting pitchers Bob Turley and Vern Law will impress, but the journey makes it wonderful. So here's the journey, with Bob Prince and Mel Allen taking you through to the fairytale finish. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT196010130.shtml This game was played on October 13, 1960.

MLB's first three years of post-season action saw the Baltimore Orioles appear each year. In 1971, the Oakland Athletic appeared for the first time and would have their own consecutive run of five years, reaching the fall knockout. The Orioles had come out on top in 1969 and 1970, winning the league pennant and making it to the World Series both years. Standing in front of them are the Athletes, looking to reach the World Series for the first time since the Philadelphia Athletics in 1931. Your national broadcast callers are Bill O'Donnell and Chuck Thompson. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197110040.shtml This game was played on October 4, 1971

As the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves meet for Game 161 and Game 162 to decide who goes into the 2024 Postseason, it's a chance to look back at some of the tiebreakers in the regular season, and specifically the last significant tiebreaker before the postseason expanded from just the World Series into the knockout format we recognise today. It's back to 1962 and as the season ends, the Giants and the Dodgers are tied at the top of the National League on 101 wins. With just a single spot in the World Series, the teams faced each other over a three-game series. They split the first two games, leading to a win-or-go-home Game 165 and the record for the longest season in Major League history. This is Game 165. George Kell and Al Helfer take you through a remarkable quirk of a game. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN196210030.shtml This game was played on October 3, 1962.

He started in the major with the Pirates, and 21 years later, he retired from the majors, having never left Pittsburgh. But Willie Stargell was more than a one-club baseball player; he was the club. That's why the Pirates called him Pops. They could also have called him Power. Stargell was one of the big hitters of the sixties and seventies, with a career .282 from 2,232 hits and 475 home runs. That career included two World Series rings and 7 All-Star appearances. For today's game, we turn to a late-season match-up against the Phillies. The Pirates are at the top of the NL East, and the Phillies are 5.5 games back with 20 games left to play. This is a chance for the Phillies to draw themselves closer to the post-seasons and for the Pirates to cement their lead. We join the Pirates broadcast with Bob Prince and Nelson King taking us through the game. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI197409110.shtml This game was played on September 11, 1974.

In a decade packed with legends that echo through history, there will be players who rarely grab the historical spotlight. Brooks Robinson might not be the household name of the former, but he's very much a legend. Starting his major league career in 1955, he played all of his 23 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles. In that time, he made third base his own and is arguably one of the greatest third baseman the game has ever seen, with 18 call-ups to the All-Stars, 16 consecutive Gold Gloves, and 2 World Series rings. To this day, he still holds the record for putouts (2,697), assists (6,205), total chances, and double plays at third base (618). For today's game, we're going to early in 1964. Robinson had an offensive slump in the back half of 1963 and has been working with the Orioles hitting coach to find his form again. Listen out for his at bats as the Orioles welcome the Yankees to Memorial Stadium. It's the familiar team of Phil Rizzuto, Jerry Coleman, and Mel Allen… although 1964 is Allen's debut year, so enjoy his first steps into the radio world. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL196404180.shtml This game was played on April 18, 1964.

Brought up into the majors by the Detroit Tigers in 152, Al Kaline spent 22 years playing for the Tigers before becoming the Tiger's color commentator until 2003, before heading into the front office until he died in 2020. His playing record is impressive, passing the 3000-hit mark just before he retired in 1974. Today, nearly fifty years later, Kaline sits at number 32 in the all-time hits table, with 3007 hits to his name. That record includes eighteen all-star games, ten Gold Gloves, and one World Series ring from 1968. For today's game, we're going back to the final series of the 1972 season. The Red Sox are in first place, just half a game ahead of the Tigers. With three games in the series, both teams need to take two wins to lift the pennant. Detroit took the first game on October 2nd. One more victory and the season belongs to the Tigers. With four hits and two runs in the first game, Kaline wants to do the same and lift his team over the line. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET197210030.shtml This game was played on October 3, 1972.

When you win eleven Gold Gloves in eleven years, you know you're one of the best. Keith Hernandez knew he was one of the best. A contact hitter with a career .296, he won two World Series rings, five All-Star appearances, and picked up the NL batting championship award in 1979. Five years into his career, he cracked the .300 ceiling and never looked back. Yet for this week's game, we will go back to the very first month of his MLB career. It's September 14th, and Hernandez has been in The Show for three weeks. He was brought up from the minors by the St Louis Cardinals for a challenging September as they unsuccessfully chased the Pittsburg Pirates for the NL East top spot. Today, they're on the road to the Philadelphia Phillies, who have fallen out of the pennant race but still want a head-to-head victory over the Cardinals. Hernandez is fifth in the order and looking to make a difference… Your KMOX Cardinals radio team of Jack Buck, Mike Shannon and Bob Starr take you through the game. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI197409140.shtml This game was played on September 14,1974.

When you look for the winning pitcher across the 1960s, it's impossible to ignore Juan Marichal. The 'Dominican Dandy' gave the Giants their first no-hitter in San Francisco, the first no-hitter seen in Candlestick Park, the first Latin-american no-hitter in MLB history, and the first Dominican player to enter the Hall of Fame. He also received one of the highest accolades any player can achieve… in 1975, the Giants immortalized his beloved #27, a testament in part to Marichal's majestic run of 191 victories during the sixties. Today's game takes us back to the start of his time in the majors. It's June 1962, and the Giants are on a roll with a .690 record. They're on the road to a .518 St Louis, and Marichal is facing Bob Gibson, another name soon to become a legend in his own right. How about one more legend… your play-by-play comes from one Harry Caray (joined today by Jack Buck). You can find the boxscore here. This game was played on June 9, 1962. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

What is there to say about Willie Mays, who passed away peacefully last night? Legend. There's only one game we could choose. There's only one moment we could highlight. It's Game 1 of the 1954 World Series, Mays is in centre field, and in the top of the 8th, Vic Wertz is going to send an impossible-to-catch ball deep to the outfield of the Polo Grounds. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NY1/NY1195409290.shtml This game was played on September 29, 1954. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

As the four-time NL batting champion, Bill Madlock has an impressive reputation as a hitter. It's even more impressive when you realise he is one of only three right-handed hitters to lift multiple NL batting titles since 1960. The other two are Roberto Clemente and Tommy Davis. He finished his playing career over the .300 and 2000 mark, with a .305 batting average and 2,008 hits in total, 3 All-Star appearances, and one World Series Ring from 1979. For today's classic game, we're going right back to the beginning. It is September 1973, and Madlock debuted in the MLB at the start of the month. In the dog days of the Rangers' season, he's finding his footing in The Show. As his team visit the Angels, Madlock is covering third base, and is seventh in the batting order. Don Drysdale and Dick Enberg take you through the game. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL197309250.shtml This game was played on September 25, 1973. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

Frank Robinson could hit the ball hard. He ran the base paths even harder. A formidable player who has been named MVP for both the AL and NL, the triple crown in 1966, 14 All-Star appearances, and 2 World Series rings. To this day, he holds the record for walk-off hits, with 26 winning moments to his credit. In the final years of his playing career, he became the player-manager for Cleveland in 1975 and continued managing until he retired in 2006. Today's broadcast celebrates the life and achievement of Frank Robinson as we turn the clock back to 1972. Robinson is debuting with the Dodgers on an Opening Day visit to the Reds. The Reds hold a special place in Robinson's career; he debuted in the Majors and won his first World Series with them. Behind the microphone, you have Jerry Dogget and Vin Scully You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN197204150.shtml This game was played on April 15, 1972. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

It's the opening day of the 1955 season, and leading off for the Cardinals is Wally Moon, who won "Rookie Of The Year" in 1954, memorably hitting a home run during his first At Bat in the Majors. Second in the line-up is Bill Virdon, who would go on to win "Rookie Of The Year" for 1955, giving the Cardinals back-to-back Rookies. Both would go on to pick up Gold Gloves and World Series Rings, although Moon would eclipse Virdon with three All-Star appearances and three rings, compared to Virdon's two rings. Virdon would head down the managers' route after retiring in 1968, finishing with a winning record of .519. Today's broadcast goes back to the start, with the 54 Rookie and 55 Rookie leading off against the Chicago Cubs. Gene Elston, Jack Quinlan, and Bert Wilson call the game. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN195504120.shtml This game was played on April 12, 1955. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

Dave McNally is a legend, first as a starting pitcher and finally as an arbitration reliever. He won more than 20 games in four consecutive seasons, was a three-time All-Star, won two World Series rings, and was the AL wins leader in 1970. He was part of the 1971 Orioles rotation that saw himself, Dobson, Palmer, and Cuellar all post 20 or more wins. He left Baltimore as the then greatest Orioles pitcher to date, with an 181-113 record and a 7-4 postseason record. But it was his short stint with the 1975 Expos that made history. Following poor starts after the trade, McNally pulled himself from the team, there's no ray of hope that it'll get better.” This moment changed baseball forever because McNally never signed his retirement players. Planning a legal challenge to the annual reserve clause, McNally's status not being under contract yet still bound by the reserve clause saw McNally—a former Union Rep himself—named in the case… an insurance against the still-active Andy Messersmith being placed under contract before the arbitration date. The insurance was never needed, yet McNally's contribution guaranteed the case would proceed and ended Major League Baseball's reserve clause. Rather than a dry court transcription, let's head to the 1974 American League Championship Series, with McNally on the mound for the Orioles, facing off against the Athletics' Ken Holtzman. Your commentators are Herb Carneal & Darrell Johnson. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK197410060.shtml This game was played on October 6, 1974. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

As Baseball evolved during the expansion era, so did the role of the pitcher. Where the norm was once for starters to go for the full nine innings, the use of relief pitchers and the emergence of the closing pitcher took over. And there is no better example of this new role than Rollie Fingers… and his flamboyant moustache. He set the franchise record for saves at his three major league clubs (the Athletics, the Padres, and the Brewers), was the first pitcher to reach 300 saves (retiring with 341 saves), and continues to hold the record for 'long saves' that stretched over two or more innings, with 135 recorded. Today's classic game sees the Oakland Athletics welcome the Baltimore Orioles to the Coliseum. The A's aren't yet at full power they would need to win three World Series in a row… but they're getting there. Your radio team are Bill O'Donnell and Chuck Thompson. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK197104290.shtml This game was played on May 29, 1971. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

Bill James called him “the slowest man who played baseball,” yet his ten years with a batting average over .300 would make him attractive to any team. In his seventeen years, he was the first catcher to earn two NL Batting Awards. He finished with a career .306, but it was one lapse of concentration in Game 4 of the 1939 World Series he would be remembered for. Taking a hard-hit ball without a protective cup in the tenth inning left him dazed while the World Series winning run stole home. Rather than the fateful Game 4, let's step back a few days and remind ourselves that a World Series is more than a single play. Lombardi is still catching, Bucky Walters is his starting pitcher, and the game is in the oppressive and hostile Yankee Stadium. The classic team of Red Barber and Bob Elson are behind the microphone. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA193910050.shtml This game was played on October 5, 1939. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

There are pitchers who have storied careers, workhorses who can support a team's offence for many years, and pitchers who shine brightly and burn out in a single season. Fritz Peterson was a workhorse. He had a winning record in seven of his eleven years in the Majors and posted a career 133-131 record. His time and productivity with the New York Yankees puts him currently in ninth-place in the all-time games started, and tent on innings pitched. However, it was the year 1970 that truly illuminated his career. With a career-best winning percentage of .645, he reached the psychological milestone of 20 wins on the last day of the season. This was also the year he received his only call up to the All-Star Game, a testament to his exceptional performance. Yet, despite these achievements, he never had the opportunity to play in a post-season game. As the Yankees visit the Athletics, Peterson holds a 2-2 record and he's looking to establish himself in the rotation. Frank Messer and Bob Gamere share play-by-play and color duties in today's classic game. You can find the boxscore here. This game was played on May 7, 1970. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

Legendary manager and player Whitey Herzog died this week at the age of 92. Here at Classic Baseball Radio, we'd like to take a moment to remember a career that caught fire after the playing ended, with one of his last appearances on the diamond. Herzog made it to the majors, playing for the Washington Senators in 1956. He spent time with the Athletics, Orioles, and Tigers before retiring from on-field duty in 1963. Only then, with his playing career no longer a hindrance, would Herzog and his bleached near-white hair find the place the Baseball Gods had carved out for him. Working through various backroom roles, from scout and coach to general manager and director, Herzog found his joy one step back from the diamond. As a manager, he excelled, racking up six division wins, three pennants, and one World Series-winning team. For today's game, we're returning to the dead-rubber days of September 1961. The New York Yankees have the pennant pretty much sewn up, and the Orioles have earned third place. Herzog bats in the heart of the order, facing Ralph Terry of the Yankees. Phil Rizzuto takes you up to the sixth inning, with Mel Allen closing out the microphone game. You can find the boxscore here. This game was played on September 20, 1961. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

Imagine your playing career saw you selected seven times to play in the All-Star game, led the league in stolen bases, posted four seasons of .300 plus baseball, had a hitting streak of 34 games, and averaged over 100 runs per season throughout your career. Yet his name is one that never stood out, partly because he's on a Red Sox team with the greatest hitter who ever lived… and his older brother was Joe DiMaggio. This is the life of Dom DiMaggio, who spent eleven years of his eleven-year career in the Majors with the Boston Red Sox. As with almost every player in the forties, the prime playing career was given to service during World War 2. David Halberstam called him "the most underrated player of his day”, and it's not hard to see why. Let's remember Dom with today's game, which is a classic. It's 1949, and the Red Sox are facing the New York Yankees. Boston's finest have posted a 96-57 season against the Yankees 96-57. Yep, it's a winner-takes-all game on the final day of the regular season. Dom is leading off for the Red Sox, with his brother Joe in the clean-up spot for the Yankees. Speaking of legends… Mel Allen and Curt Gowdy will take you through this crunch game. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA194910020.shtml This game was played on October 2, 1949. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

Can you go through an entire season on First Base without having an error charged to you? Unless your name is Steve Garvey, the answer is no. As you might have surmised, Garvey did just that, posting his yet-to-be-equalled feat in 1984 with the San Diego Padres. With a career .294 on 2599 hits and 272 home runs, Garvey's no slouch. A standout number, though, has to be his 1270 consecutive games played. Let's rewind the clock to 1973. It's September 28th, and the Dodgers have sewn up the division and are in a dead rubber with the San Diego Padres. Garvey is camping out, as always, on first base. Years down the line, he'll join the Padres from the Dodgers, but there were a few All-Star appearances and one World Series ring before that point. Vin Scully has the microphone. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SDN/SDN197309280.shtml This game was played on September 28, 1973. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

899 games pitched, all in relief, with a lifetime 99-76 record; the delightfully named Sparky Lyle was an era-defining relief pitcher. Take his 1977 Cy Young award, the first AL reliever to do so, twice picking up the AL saves record, and three all-star appearances. Then you have his back-to-back World Series in 77 and 78, plus writing the book on the 78 season ('The Bronx Zoo'). Lyle has the numbers, the prestige, and the passion to lay claim to being one of the most important relievers in the history of the game. He found his grove with the Boston Red Sox before being traded to the New York Yankees… a move which boosted his career but on reflection one the Red Sox might have wished they could have taken back. Let's unite the old and new for today's game as Lyle's Yankees welcome the Lyle-less Red Soxs. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA197107100.shtml This game was played on July 10, 1971. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

Apart from the occasional “one and done” years, the only team to have a winning record over .500 in every year they played is the Milwaukee Braves. There were losing years under the Boston Braves and Atlanta Braves banners, but the thirteen years in Milwaukee stand apart not just in this franchise but in every franchise. From the pennant-winning streak between 53 and 59, through record-breaking appearances, to a World Series win in 1957, this is a storied part of the team's history. Let's pick up one of those stories for today's game. It's May 1957; not only have the Braves rushed out to a 17-7 record, but their divisional rivals, the Dodgers, are struggling to find their footing. Visiting Country Stadium with a 13-10 record, the Dodgers are hoping the legendary Don Newcombe can pitch them into a winning streak. And don't forget who's behind the microphone… an incredibly young Vin Scully. You can find the boxscore here. This game was played on May 14, 1957. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

Johnny Bench was the acknowledged leader of the Big Red Machine, the Cincinnati Reds' era-defining team that won six divisional titles, four pennants, and two World Series. A master of both offence and defence, Bench held the record for home runs by a catcher for over thirty years, along with two years leading the National League for home runs and three years leading with RBIs. Alongside those awards sit ten Golden Gloves, 100 games or more behind the plate for 13 straight years Bench is arguably Baseball's greatest catcher. Let's celebrate that with a trip to 1974, with Bench posting 108 runs, 33 homers, 129 RBIs, and 315 total bases. As always, the Reds are chasing the Dodgers. Behind 7.5 games at the start of Augst, the Reds are just two games behind as the Pittsburgh Pirates visit Riverfront Stadium Nellie King and Bob Prince are your guides behind the microphone. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN197408130.shtml This game was played on August 13, 1974. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

He's probably the greatest first basemen of all time, with a career .273, 2,583 hits, 1,305 runs, and 1,636 RBI; he was called up to the All-Star game fourteen times, and was the ninth player to reach 500 home runs. Yet Ernie Banks never won a World Series ring. The simple answer is that he started his Major League career with the Chicago Cubs, played with them for eighteen years, and retired from the Majors as a Cub. His one-club career earned him the nickname “Mr. Cub,” which he wore with pride and a smile. Unfortunately, the Cubs' record over a near two-decade span is best forgotten (especially the 1969 collapse of 17 losses in the last 25 games of the regular season). For today's game, we're going back to September 1962. The New York Mets are finishing up their first season in their temporary home of the Polo Fields. The baseball world expected this to be the final game at the hallowed ground (but some fun and games at Shea Stadium meant the Mets would return here in 1963).  The team of Lindsey Nelson, Ralph Kiner, and Bob Murphy calls what they think is the final Polo Ground game. The Cubs are 57-100 and second-last in the league, and the Mets are last. In the head-to-head, the bottom of the table teams are level at 7-7 with four games to play… You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN196209230.shtml This game was played on 23 September, 1962. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

Who's the best pitcher baseball ever saw? There's a lot of names to cosndier. Who's the best left-handed pitcher baseball ever saw? That list is a lot shorter, and near the top - perhaps at the very top - is Lefty Grove. There's 's no louder-than-life personality to help us remember him by; there's no stunning images on early TV coverage, nor are there mythical stories to pass on. As the image of baseball moved on in the fifties, the exploits of Grove and many of his compatriots faded from sight. Yet Grove's numbers show we're missing something. He has 300 career wins, four times annual winner in the American League, nine times the annual ERA leader, and seven times the strikeout leader. Throw in six All-Star call-ups, and you have a storied career. We join Grove on the mound in 1936. He's moved on from the record-breaking days of the Philadelphia Athletic to the Boston Red Sox… and still breaking records. 1935 saw a 20-12 season a league-winning ERA of 2.90. 1936 is shaping up to be more of the same. The Chicago White Sox welcome Grove and the Red Sox, and George Watson and Hal Totten are taking us through the plays. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA193607310.shtml This game was played on 31 July, 1936. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

If you're looking for the greatest baseball dynasty, you have to consider the Alou brothers. Three exceptional ball players—Felipe, Matty and Jesús—hold a joint first as the first 'three brothers on one team' when they all played for the Giants against the Mets on September 10, 1963. Between them, they gather World Series rings, All-Star appearances, and batting championships before moving into the back offices of various clubs and influencing countless up-and-coming players, including Felipe's son Luis (who would go on to manage the New York Mets in 2019). It's Felipe Alou we're going to highlight. As well as seventeen years playing in the majors, his fourteen years of managing put him in rare company… only himself, Joe Torre, and Frank Robinson have racked up 2000 hits, 200 home runs, and 1,000 managerial wins. All that is ahead of him. For today's classic game, Alou is Milwaukee's lead-off hitter as they visit Shea Stadium in a doubleheader against the New York Mets. The Braves took the first game 8-2. Can they build on their 10-10 record for the year? Over to WGY Radio for the second game. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN196505092.shtml This game was played on 9 May, 1965. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

Eleven years after becoming the first expansion team in the American League, the Washington Senators left the capital, headed to Texas, and became the Rangers. It wasn't an easy start, with 100 losses picked up in both 72 and 73. The Rangers would bounce back with 74 and 75's records above .500. Titles would take a little longer, with the franchise not picking up a league title until 1996, a first pennant in 2010, and a first World Series victory in 2023. For this week's broadcast, we're returning to that turbulent 1972. Coming off the All-Star break, The Rangers are on the road and facing a doubleheader against the Yankees. With 40 games left in the season, the Rangers are 26 games behind .500, hoping for a streak to help them lift the spirits of its new fanbase. It would be a futile chase. The Yankees' Frank Messer, Bill White, and Phill Rizzuto broadcast team take you through the game. You can find the boxscore here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA197208291.shtml This game was played on 29 August, 1972. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

For the 1961 season, the Washington Senators moved out of the capital to play ball in Minnesota as the Twins. Marque names such as Harmon Killebrew, Bob Allison, and Jim Perry helped the team make its mark in its new home. Four years later, the Twins would win the AL pennant and bring it to Minnesota for the first time. As for Washington, the city would not be left without a baseball team. Immediately replacing the Washington Senators in 1961 were… the Washington Senators. The team with an old name was one of two AL expansion teams, and success did not come easy. The team's first pennant was in 2010, but by then, they had moved to Arlington as the Texas Rangers. That first year saw them finish behind everyone else in the AL, posting a 61-100 record. 1961 was the year of a dominant Yankees team, finishing 47 and a half games ahead of the Senators. But what of their head-to-head? We join the Senators at Yankee Stadium on 2nd July; the two teams' record is 3-3, and we have Bob Delaney hosting, with Phil Rizzuto and Red Barber on the play-by-play. You can find the boxscore here. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA196107020.shtml This game was played on 2 July, 1961. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

A gentleman in demeanour but a superman when slugging. That was Harmon Killebrew, Idaho's greatest home-run hitter and a legend at the plate. He was a 13-times All-Star, a 6-time AL home-run leader, a 3x AL RBI leader, and the 1969 MVP. When he retired, he was fifth in the all-time Home Run record, and his 573 bombs are still enough to hold twelfth place today. He could easily reach the edge of the yard, notably being the first of only four players to ever bat over the left field roof of Tiger Stadium in Detroit. The batting earned him the nickname of "killer" no doubt helped by his name, yet he was seen as one of the politest players in the game. And he's definitely not the slugger in the MLB logo. We join Killebrew and the Twins as they welcome the Yankees to the Metropolitan Stadium. The twins have a commanding 53-29 record—they are on their way to a 102-win season and the first AL pennant for the Twins in Minnesota. Killebrew is in his beloved role as the cleanup hitter and is facing the Yankees Al Downing. Jerry Coleman and Red Barber share the microphone for the Yankees Radio Network. You can find the boxscore here. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN196507110.shtml This game was played on 11 July, 1965. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

He was the the first Caribbean and the first  Latin-American player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame; he hit .317 over 17 years with exactly 3000 hits in a career cut short in a tragic plane crash. He was selected for 15 All-Star games, won 12 Gold Gloves as an outfielder, and led the NL batting tables for four years. On top of that, he undertook countless opportunities to work with charities, always looking to make a difference in people's lives. When the MLB renamed its trophy to the player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team”, The Roberto Clemente Trophy, you know that Clemente's name will echo through the ages. Given his quiet yet powerful presence, let's skip over the World Series and Championship games. A mid-season game feels more appropriate, so we'll turn to the 45-48 Pirates as they visit the 29-63 Expos in 1969. Can Pittsburg keep climbing back up, and reach .500 before the All-Star break? Dave Van Horne and Russ Taylor will take you through the game. You can find the boxscore here. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MON/MON196907170.shtml This game was played on 17 July 1969. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

The Cleveland Indians were the team to beat in 1954, and frankly, nobody in the American League that year showed anything like the form needed to offer a consistent challenge. With a record of 111-43, the Indians walked away with the pennant and a record of .721—a record in the shorter 154-game seasons. They were the clear favorites going into the 1954 World Series, so it was a shock to lose two on the road to the New York Giants. With Game 3 in Cleveland, it was time to regain control from the Giants and get back on track to win the World Series. At least, that's what the Lakefront crowd hoped for. We've got Al Helfer and Jimmy Dudley taking us through the third game of the Fall Classic. You can find the boxscore here. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CLE/CLE195410010.shtml This game was played on October 1, 1954. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

Knuckleballer Wilbur Wood may not be one of the first names that come to mind when you ask about notable pitchers, but he left his mark in the books. Take the 1968 season, where he set the record for games pitched (88). He held the AL record for starting games for four years running, with a record 49 games started in 1972.  And in 1972 he set a record that stands to this day. 376 and two-thirds innings pitched in a single season. Let's skip over the other record he still holds, namely the most hits allowed in a single season, with 381 in the 1973 campaign. Today's game is part of that marathon 1972 season. Wilbur Wood is the starting pitcher for the Chicago White Sox as they welcome the Boston Red Sox… the team that gave Wood his first MLB start back in 1961. Ned Martin and Dave Martin split commentary duties. You can find the boxscore here. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA197208201.shtml This game was the first game of a double-header on August 20, 1972. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/classicbaseballradio/message