Podcast appearances and mentions of Polo Grounds

Due to a personal conflict, Mike was unable to help with a new episode this week. So, in honor of Memorial Day, we are re-running a very early episode of TWIB History, in which Mike and Bill celebrate the life and career of Eddie Grant, an underappreciated Phillies, Reds, and Giants third baseman who gave his life in the Argonne Forest in the closing days of World War I. Grant's sacrifice was commemorated by the Giants 104 years ago this week with a touching memorial at the Polo Grounds, which was stolen after the Giants' final game there and disappeared from the historical record. Also happy birthday to Larry Jackson and Eric Davis.

It was obviously too good to be true.

When is it ok to invite someone to a party that you're not hosting?

We're joined by Jason Cannon, author of A Time for Reflection: The Parallel Legacies of Baseball Icons Willie McCovey and Billy Williams. Plus, Robert Eugene Rubino reads "They Didn't Play Polo at the Polo Grounds" from our 19th issue. ⁠Buy A Time for Reflection⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Twin Bill Lit Journal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the Podcast⁠⁠⁠Buy Early Innings⁠⁠Buy Short Relief⁠Hosted by Scott BolohanMusic by Mark Bolohan

Recorded on April 5th 2025 This episode looks at Coppin State in the month of March after the Georgetown game and their series against NEC newcomers Mercyhurst Introduction Mercyhurst Name Game Ep67 Answer Bill Buckner but we forget to edit out the answer after telling J at end of episode oops Ep68 V Edward S #1 Was born in the Bronx, New York and as he lived near the Polo Grounds and because he was a member of the NYC Police Athletic League and Catholic Youth Organization, he was able to attend games for free #2 Played Baseball at Fordham University More clues at end of show. Outro Twitter Handles Follow Jackson @JGB_Jackson Follow Graham @MGBgraham Follow our Network @VisGlobalMedia The following music was used for this media project: Music: Celebration by Kevin MacLeod Free download: filmmusic.io/song/5051-celebration License (CC BY 4.0): filmmusic.io/standard-license

The 1934 NFL Championship Game, renowned as one of the most remarkable comebacks in the annals of football history, serves as the focal point of our discussion today. In this riveting contest, the New York Giants, faced with daunting adversity, overcame a significant deficit against the formidable Chicago Bears, ultimately securing a 27 to 13 victory. The inclement weather conditions, which transformed the Polo Grounds into a treacherous surface, played a pivotal role in this dramatic turn of events. The Giants' strategic decision to don sneakers, borrowed from a nearby college basketball team, provided them with the necessary traction to execute a stunning offensive resurgence in the second half. This episode encapsulates the essence of resilience and innovation in sports, illustrating how a single game can etch itself into the collective memory of a league.Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up to get daily football history headlines in your email inbox @ Email-subscriberDon't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts.Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

One more day of bitter cold weather in New York...Residents of the Polo Grounds Houses now have their heat and hot water back...5 people hurt in a 2-alarm fire in Brooklyn...1010 WINS rides the subway with Adams on the overnight full 594 Wed, 22 Jan 2025 10:47:32 +0000 oXkbuBrhZJEGIoPo28mNC6z7BX3VIM1f news 1010 WINS ALL LOCAL news One more day of bitter cold weather in New York...Residents of the Polo Grounds Houses now have their heat and hot water back...5 people hurt in a 2-alarm fire in Brooklyn...1010 WINS rides the subway with Adams on the overnight The podcast is hyper-focused on local news, issues and events in the New York City area. This podcast's purpose is to give New Yorkers New York news about their neighborhoods and shine a light on the issues happening in their backyard. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc.

Yesterday's Sports is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.EPISODE SUMMARYJoin us for a captivating episode of Yesterday's Sports as host Mark Morthier welcomes Kristine Sader, the great-niece of former professional boxer Ace Hudkins, also known as the Nebraska Wildcat. Kristine shares insights from her book, "Boxing with the Nebraska Wildcat," which chronicles Ace's extraordinary boxing career from 1922 to 1932. Discover how Ace earned his fierce nickname, his transition from wrestling to boxing, and his relentless fighting style that led to an impressive record of 92 fights without a knockout loss.Kristine delves into Ace's journey from Nebraska to California, his remarkable ability to fight across multiple weight classes and his close encounters with boxing legends like Mickey Walker. Learn about the historic challenges Ace faced, including controversial decisions and near title shots, along with his post-boxing career as a stuntman in Hollywood. Tune in for a fascinating exploration of a boxing legend whose story continues to inspire!YESTERDAY'S SPORTS BACKGROUNDHost Mark Morthier grew up in New Jersey just across the river from New York City during the 1970s, a great time for sports in the area. He relives great moments from this time and beyond, focusing on football, baseball, basketball, and boxing. You may even see a little Olympic Weightlifting in the mix, as Mark competed for eight years. See Mark's book below.No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training: A Guide For People With Limited TimeRunning Wild: (Growing Up In The 1970s)CHAPTERS(00:45) Ace started wrestling before switching to boxing; by age 19, he had 45 fights(06:49) Ace fought in 92 different weight divisions and never got knocked out(12:30) Charles Lindbergh fought Ace Hutkins in 1927 at the Polo Grounds(17:15) In 1928, Ace fought Mickey Walker for the middle late title(24:19) Ace Dundee almost fought future heavyweight champion Max Baer(29:20) They wouldn't accept Wikipedia, but they wouldn't believe it(29:45) Tell us a little about what Ace did after retiring from boxing(32:23) Are any of these films, like, on YouTube or anything

Exploring the rich tapestry of the New York Giants' history, this episode invites listeners to journey through the evolution of one of the NFL's most storied franchises. The discussion begins with the origins of the Giants' name, tracing back to the baseball team that captured the hearts of New Yorkers long before the football team took the field. Host Darren Hayes delves into the significance of branding and identity in sports, highlighting how Tim Mara's decision to adopt the 'Giants' name in 1925 was a strategic move to leverage the popularity of the baseball team while establishing a unique identity in the burgeoning world of professional football. Through insightful anecdotes and historical context, Hayes paints a vivid picture of the early years of the Giants, their struggles, and their triumphs as they carved out a place in the hearts of fans.As the conversation progresses, the episode transitions into a detailed exploration of the various stadiums that have served as the Giants' home over the decades. From the Polo Grounds to Yankee Stadium, and later to Giants Stadium and MetLife Stadium, each venue tells a story of change, adaptation, and the evolving nature of American football. The host provides fascinating facts about each location, discussing the team's relocation strategies and the impact of these moves on their fan base and overall franchise culture. The narrative unfolds in a dynamic manner, allowing listeners to appreciate not just the geographical shifts, but also the emotional connections fans have with each stadium, underscoring the Giants' enduring legacy in the NFL.The episode culminates in a reflective discussion about the Giants' centennial season, looking ahead to what the future holds for the franchise. With a tone that inspires nostalgia while embracing the excitement of new beginnings, Darren Hayes invites listeners to engage with the Giants' history in a way that honors the past while eagerly anticipating future accomplishments. This exploration of the New York Football Giants is not just a recounting of dates and events; it is a celebration of football culture, identity, and the enduring spirit of one of the league's most iconic teams.Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up to get daily football history headlines in your email inbox @ Email-subscriberDon't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts.Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

October 5, 2007 The Cleveland Indians can thank a bug infestation at Jacobs Field for helping them defeat the New York Yankees, 2 - 1 in 11 innings, and take a 2-0 lead in the ALDS. The bugs are at their worst in the eighth inning, when a flustered Joba Chamberlain gives up the tying run on a wild pitch. The bugs descended upon Jacobs Field in the eighth inning of Game Two like a Biblical plague come to destroy the New York postseason. Indian Pitcher Fausto Carmona pitched through the swarm unaffected for the win.October 5, 1921 - New York is host to the first one-city World Series since 1906 and the Polo Grounds is the site for all nine games. Carl Mays of the Yankees needs 86 pitches to set the Giants down on five hits, four of them by Frankie Frisch, as Babe Ruth drives in the first run of the Series in the opening inning of the 3 - 0 Yankees win.October 5, 1929 - New York Giants Mel Ott and Chuck Klein of the Philadelphia Phillies go into a head-to-head doubleheader tied at 42 home runs apiece. In the opener, Klein homers for the Phillies off Carl Hubbell in his first at-bat to take the home run lead. In the nightcap, Phillies pitchers intentionally walk Ott five times rather than give him a chance to tie Klein. The last walk comes with the bases loaded. Lefty O'Doul of the Phillies has six hits on the day for a National League season-record of 254 hits.October 5, 1953 - The New York Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game Six of the World Series. Billy Martin collects his 12th Series hit, a single to center field in the bottom of the ninth inning, that gives the Yankees their fifth World Championship in a row.Historical Recap performed by:Robyn Newton from - Robyn Says

October 5, 2007 The Cleveland Indians can thank a bug infestation at Jacobs Field for helping them defeat the New York Yankees, 2 - 1 in 11 innings, and take a 2-0 lead in the ALDS. The bugs are at their worst in the eighth inning, when a flustered Joba Chamberlain gives up the tying run on a wild pitch. The bugs descended upon Jacobs Field in the eighth inning of Game Two like a Biblical plague come to destroy the New York postseason. Indian Pitcher Fausto Carmona pitched through the swarm unaffected for the win.October 5, 1921 - New York is host to the first one-city World Series since 1906 and the Polo Grounds is the site for all nine games. Carl Mays of the Yankees needs 86 pitches to set the Giants down on five hits, four of them by Frankie Frisch, as Babe Ruth drives in the first run of the Series in the opening inning of the 3 - 0 Yankees win.October 5, 1929 - New York Giants Mel Ott and Chuck Klein of the Philadelphia Phillies go into a head-to-head doubleheader tied at 42 home runs apiece. In the opener, Klein homers for the Phillies off Carl Hubbell in his first at-bat to take the home run lead. In the nightcap, Phillies pitchers intentionally walk Ott five times rather than give him a chance to tie Klein. The last walk comes with the bases loaded. Lefty O'Doul of the Phillies has six hits on the day for a National League season-record of 254 hits.October 5, 1953 - The New York Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game Six of the World Series. Billy Martin collects his 12th Series hit, a single to center field in the bottom of the ninth inning, that gives the Yankees their fifth World Championship in a row.Historical Recap performed by:Robyn Newton from - Robyn Says

Author Scott H. Longert joins the show this week to talk about his latest book, "Love and Loss: The Short Life of Ray Chapman" (Ohio Univ. Press 2024). Cleveland shortstop Ray Chapman was hit by a pitched ball in the temple during a ballgame against the Yankees at the Polo Grounds on August 16, 1920. He succumbed to his injuries the next morning. He is the only player in Major League history to die from injuries sustained during an MLB ballgame. Longert's book examines Chapman's idyllic life and his sudden, tragic death, combining detailed research with compassion for the ballplayer and his family, friends and teammates. Scott Longert's website - https://scottlongert.com/ Scott Longert on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/scott.longertOhio Univ. Press - https://www.ohioswallow.com/9780821425664/love-and-loss/Errata - Shohei Ohtani hit 54 home runs and stole 59 bases this season. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig at BlueskyRex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeritus:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat)     This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024.  

Despite its reputation as a game with roots in rural America, Kevin Baker explains on this episode that baseball is rooted in New York City, and that it became the engine of the Big Apple. He also explains how the city itself influenced the game through its rules, its teams, its stadiums and its superstars. From Christy Mathewson to Babe Ruth, from the Highlanders to the Trolley Dodgers, from rundown streets to the Polo Grounds, Kevin Baker shows how New York and baseball grew up together.Kevin Baker's Website can be found at https://kevinbaker.info/Information on his book can be found at https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/7503/the-new-york-game-by-kevin-baker/Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy** "Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at https://twitter.com/axelbankhistoryhttps://instagram.com/axelbankhistoryhttps://facebook.com/axelbankhistory

September 29, 1954 - Willie Mays makes his famous running catch off the bat of Vic Wertz in game one of the World Series. In the eighth inning with a 2-2 tie and men on 1st and 2nd, Wertz slammed a 420 foot shot to the cavernous center field of the Polo Grounds. Mays was playing shallow, since Giants pitcher Don Liddle was a groundball pitcher, and had to turn his back to the infield sprinting for the outfield wall. Mays made an over the shoulder catch and a quick turn firing the ball to the infield holding Larry Doby at 3rd base and preserving the tie. As much as has been made of the catch, Mays himself did not consider it the best defensive play he ever made.September 29, 1974 - Lou Brock steals his 118th and last base on the final day of the season setting the record for steals in a single season. Ricky Henderson would break that record in 1982 with 130 thefts.September 29, 1978 - Jim Rice doubles and singles against the Toronto Blue Jays in Fenway Park. Rice is the first American Leaguer to amass 400 total bases since Joe DiMaggio in 1937.September 29, 2004 - MLB officially announces that the Montreal Expos franchise will move to Washington, DC in 2005. Hours after this, the Expos play their final game in Montreal, a 9 - 1 loss to the Florida Marlins before a crowd of 31,395 at Olympic Stadium.September 29, 1957 Ted Williams becomes the oldest batting champ when the 39-year old finishes the season with a .388 average.

September 29, 1954 - Willie Mays makes his famous running catch off the bat of Vic Wertz in game one of the World Series. In the eighth inning with a 2-2 tie and men on 1st and 2nd, Wertz slammed a 420 foot shot to the cavernous center field of the Polo Grounds. Mays was playing shallow, since Giants pitcher Don Liddle was a groundball pitcher, and had to turn his back to the infield sprinting for the outfield wall. Mays made an over the shoulder catch and a quick turn firing the ball to the infield holding Larry Doby at 3rd base and preserving the tie. As much as has been made of the catch, Mays himself did not consider it the best defensive play he ever made.September 29, 1974 - Lou Brock steals his 118th and last base on the final day of the season setting the record for steals in a single season. Ricky Henderson would break that record in 1982 with 130 thefts.September 29, 1978 - Jim Rice doubles and singles against the Toronto Blue Jays in Fenway Park. Rice is the first American Leaguer to amass 400 total bases since Joe DiMaggio in 1937.September 29, 2004 - MLB officially announces that the Montreal Expos franchise will move to Washington, DC in 2005. Hours after this, the Expos play their final game in Montreal, a 9 - 1 loss to the Florida Marlins before a crowd of 31,395 at Olympic Stadium.September 29, 1957 Ted Williams becomes the oldest batting champ when the 39-year old finishes the season with a .388 average.

September 29, 1954 - Willie Mays makes his famous running catch off the bat of Vic Wertz in game one of the World Series. In the eighth inning with a 2-2 tie and men on 1st and 2nd, Wertz slammed a 420 foot shot to the cavernous center field of the Polo Grounds. Mays was playing shallow, since Giants pitcher Don Liddle was a groundball pitcher, and had to turn his back to the infield sprinting for the outfield wall. Mays made an over the shoulder catch and a quick turn firing the ball to the infield holding Larry Doby at 3rd base and preserving the tie. As much as has been made of the catch, Mays himself did not consider it the best defensive play he ever made.September 29, 1974 - Lou Brock steals his 118th and last base on the final day of the season setting the record for steals in a single season. Ricky Henderson would break that record in 1982 with 130 thefts.September 29, 1978 - Jim Rice doubles and singles against the Toronto Blue Jays in Fenway Park. Rice is the first American Leaguer to amass 400 total bases since Joe DiMaggio in 1937.September 29, 2004 - MLB officially announces that the Montreal Expos franchise will move to Washington, DC in 2005. Hours after this, the Expos play their final game in Montreal, a 9 - 1 loss to the Florida Marlins before a crowd of 31,395 at Olympic Stadium.September 29, 1957 Ted Williams becomes the oldest batting champ when the 39-year old finishes the season with a .388 average.

Boxing was very popular on radio during the medium's golden age. Floyd Patterson and Tommy Hurricane Jackson battled for the heavyweight crown at the Polo Grounds in New York in 1957. Patterson was the world heavyweight champion twice between 1956 and 1962. At the age of 21, he became the youngest boxer in history to win the title, and was also the first heavyweight to regain the title after losing it. Jackson fought Patterson in 1956 and lost in a 12 round split decision. We have the rematch. Floyd Patterson was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.  More at http://krobcollection.com

Why is Mel Ott such an enigma? For all of his accomplishments, we really know very little about the stocky little right fielder who made hittiing at the Polo Grounds an art. So, on the 79th anniversary of his 500th homer, Mike and Bill go looking for the best hitter no one talks about today. Plus, happy birthday to Freddie Fitzsimmons and Larry Doyle! And farewell to Hank Foiles and John Upham.

Time for the Lighter Side of Sports. Today, Gresh brings up a new ESPN advertisement. ESPN is attempting to enter the sports tourism business, they want to offer a VIP tour of MLB's most famous stadiums on Memorial day weekend. Take me out to the ballparks. Private tour of Jackie Robinson museum. Meet and greet with David Cohn, Michael Kay, Buster Olney. For only $6,999 per person! "What is this? This is not a big deal. Let's go to Polo Grounds!" says Fauria. 

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author William "Bill" Ecenbarger is our guess this week to discuss his latest book, "Work, Fight, or Play Ball: How Bethlehem Steel Helped Baseball's Stars Avoid World War I" (Temple University Press 2024). The book chronicles how Bethlehem Steel's "safe shelter" industrial league in 1917 and 1918 helped Major League players like "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, Dutch Leonard and a young Babe Ruth avoid the draft and military service during World War I. In part two, Craig and Rex discuss the possible real-life "Natural."William Ecenbarger's websiteSources, Part Two: Rob Edelman, "Eddie Waitkus and “The Natural”: What is Assumption? What is Fact?" (sabr.com accessed June 17, 2024)Jack Bales, "The Show Girl and the Shortstop: The Strange Saga of Violet Popovich and Her Shooting of Cub Billy Jurges" (sabr.com accessed June 17, 2024)Errata: Homestead Gray Luke Easter hit the first home run into the center field bleachers at the Polo Grounds in 1948. Easter went on to play for Cleveland in the American League. Leon Cadore (Brooklyn) and Joe Oeschger (Boston) battled 26 innings to a 1-1 tie on May 1, 1920. Game time: 3 hours, 50 minutes.Episodes Mentioned:189 - Baseball, Chemical Warfare and The Great War w/ Jim Leeke 186 - "I've Got Babe Ruth" The Old Ballparks Project, Part 3 184 - Class Warfare in Detroit!: The Old Ballparks Project, Part 2 148 - Baseball Is the Story of America w/ Derick McDuff 127 - The Old Ballparks Project, Part I -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok -  https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)     This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.    

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick and Buster discuss the passing of baseball legend Willie Mays, how Bob found out about Mays' death, the Rickwood game turning into a celebration of his life, Mays excitedly talking about being struck out by Satchel Page, and if MLB should make Mays the logo. Then, Hembo on the Blue Jays going up in smoke, missing out on watching Mookie Betts do something historic, the Mariners burying the Rangers and Astros, and why Steven Kwan is a different hitter this season. Later, former major leaguer Cleon Jones talks about celebrating the Negro Leagues with the game at Rickwood in Birmingham, Ala., playing against Willie Mays in his first game as a Met at the Polo Grounds, meeting Hank Aaron at a school assembly, getting inner cities involved with the game, and his work in the Africatown community in Mobile. 8:52 Bob Kendrick 27:01 Hembo 41:17 Cleon Jones 59:58 Tim Kurkjian on Willie Mays for SportsCenter 1:03:49 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick and Buster discuss the passing of baseball legend Willie Mays, how Bob found out about Mays' death, the Rickwood game turning into a celebration of his life, Mays excitedly talking about being struck out by Satchel Page, and if MLB should make Mays the logo. Then, Hembo on the Blue Jays going up in smoke, missing out on watching Mookie Betts do something historic, the Mariners burying the Rangers and Astros, and why Steven Kwan is a different hitter this season. Later, former major leaguer Cleon Jones talks about celebrating the Negro Leagues with the game at Rickwood in Birmingham, Ala., playing against Willie Mays in his first game as a Met at the Polo Grounds, meeting Hank Aaron at a school assembly, getting inner cities involved with the game, and his work in the Africatown community in Mobile. 8:52 Bob Kendrick 27:01 Hembo 41:17 Cleon Jones 59:58 Tim Kurkjian on Willie Mays for SportsCenter 1:03:49 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Baseball has lost one of its most legendary figures with the passing of Willie Mays.  Our Chris Dimino was lucky enough to have spoken with Willie about his career and the game of baseball a few years ago.  This is a must listen.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the greatest baseball players ever, some think he's the greatest and made the greatest catch of all time at the Polo Grounds. Who's on the Pittsburgh sports Mount Rushmore?

Hour one with Joe Starkey, Paul Zeise and Bob Pompeani Willie Mays has passed away at 93. One of the greatest baseball players ever, some think he's the greatest and made the greatest catch of all time at the Polo Grounds. A Willie Mays 1975 card is a part of Starkey's Card of the Week and the original card in the Card of the Week contest is an autographed Paul Skenes card.

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

Braves updates & rainout, Hawks legend passes away, taking a baseball to the neck, The Masters awaits the storm but enough about Greg Norman's return, running into Braves legend at Truist Park, bullpen troubles, Mariano Rivera's pick for President, Augusta National Golf Club trivia, a women's tourney at Augusta? NFL in Brazil, Nate's bad joke of the day, Masters history, Minneapolis Lakers, Canadiens, The Rifleman played ball, John Madden & Dandy Don Meredith, Ken Griffey Jr.'s hijinks, Jackie Robinson news, JFK shows off his arm, Polo Grounds destroyed, Andy "Channel 17" Messersmith, Carlton Fisk breaks BoSox fans hearts, Motown hit a hit in Motown, Pro tip of the Day: Do not praise Fidel Castro in Miami, Vin Scully blows off Dodgers for golf, plus Pete's Tweets, This Day in Sports History, Ripley's Believe It or Not!, and a baseball quote from Casey Stengel

Baseball, as American as apple pie, really is “the New York game.” While its precursors come from many places – from Jamestown to Prague – the rules of American baseball and the modern ways of enjoying it were born from the urban experience and, in particular, the 19th-century New York region. The sport (in the form that we know it today) developed in the early 1800s, played in Manhattan's many open lots or New Jersey public parklands and soon organized into regular teams and eventually leagues. The way that New Yorkers played baseball was soon the way most Americans played by the late 19th century.But it wasn't until the invention of regular ball fields – catering to paying customers – that baseball became truly an urban recreational experience. And that too was revolutionized in New York.Just in time for spring and the new Major League baseball season, Tom and Greg are joined by the acclaimed Kevin Baker, author of The New York Game: Baseball and the Rise of a New City to discuss the early history of the sport and its unique connections to New York City.This show is truly the ultimate origin story of New York baseball, featuring tales of the city's oldest and most legendary sports teams – the Yankees, the Dodgers, and the Giants. AND the New York Metropolitans – a different team than today's Mets located in Queens.Where was baseball played? Kevin shares the secrets of New York baseball's earliest venues – from the many Polo Grounds in upper Manhattan to Ebbets Field in BrooklynThis is a true five-borough origin story! With stops at Hilltop Park (Manhattan), Yankee Stadium (Bronx), Fashion Race Course (Queens), Washington Park (Brooklyn), and St. George Cricket Grounds (Staten Island) among many other sites.FEATURING the surprising link between baseball and Boss Tweed and his notorious political machine Tammany HallPLUS How did segregation distort the game and where did Black ballplayers play the sport? What was baseball like before Jackie Robinson?Visit our website for more information

This week Craig and Rex conclude the three-part series ranking the first generation concrete and steel ballparks build prior to the Great Depression. This episode includes the Polo Grounds and Yankee Stadium in New York City, Comiskey Park and Wrigley Field in Chicago and Fenway Park in Boston. Episodes Mentioned127 - The Old Ballparks Project, Part I184 - Class Warfare in Detroit!: The Old Ballparks Project, Part 2Sources:Philip J. Lowry, "Green Cathedrals: The Ultimate Celebration of Major League and Negro League Ballparks (Walker & Co. 2006).Al Kamen, "High Court Throws Out Baseball Suit," Washington Post (Oct. 12, 1988) (accessed January 13, 2024).Wikipedia for the ballparks and ball clubs mentioned and the sources cited therein.www.baseball-reference.com-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok -  https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)    

8 World Series Titles.  10 World Series losses. The Giants began playing in 1883 in the Polo Grounds and never played in another stadium in New York.  They went to the Bay Area in 1958 and appeared in the World Series in 1962 but not again until 1989, finally winning their 1st WS in 56 years in 2010? Hall of Famers abound in Giants history particularly in the outfield.  But not as much outside of 1st base in the infield. We also discuss HOFers that were Giants but not for very long. Thanks to all of our listeners and followers.  We appreciate you!Watch on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/D0qZzx1h6BQPlease subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at Almostcooperstown@gmail.com.  You can also follow us on Twitter/X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel.  If you can please give the podcast 4 or 5 star rating!www.almostcooperstown.com

TVC 628.1: From November 2013: Part 2 of our special joint edition of The Sounds of Lost Television and This Week in TV History featuring Phil Gries, Tony Figueroa, and Donna Allen that looks back at how network television news covered the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963—a seminal moment in U.S. history and in the lives of many Baby Boomers and a seminal moment in the history of network TV news. In this segment, Phil plays audio from Aaron Brown's interview with Walter Cronkite on CNN in November 2003 in which Cronkite recalls the moment when he briefly lost his composure on camera after he announced the death of President Kennedy. Also in this segment: More highlights from Phil's exclusive interview with Don Pardo in May 1998 in which Pardo discusses his early career at NBC, including the times when he did play-by-play in 1946 as part of experimental TV broadcasts of Major League Baseball games at Yankee Stadium, Ebbets Field, and the Polo Grounds. Want to advertise/sponsor our show? TV Confidential has partnered with AdvertiseCast to handle advertising/sponsorship requests for the podcast edition of our program. They're great to work with and will help you advertise on our show. Please email sales@advertisecast.com or click the link below to get started: https://www.advertisecast.com/TVConfidentialAradiotalkshowabout Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Shibe Park, Crosley Field, the Polo Grounds, Forbes Field and Comiskey Park already in our BKP collection, this week we add the grand-daddy of all the throwback cribs; the iconic and majestic Ebbets Field of Flatbush, Brooklyn. The former home of dem bums, the Brooklyn Dodgers. Throughout sports, there are certain franchises, that have such a storied tradition, that their legacy never dies. The Brooklyn Dodgers fit this bill, as the team, and their ballpark, dominated the Brooklyn borough landscape for over 40 years. #BrooklynDodgers #Flatbush #Brooklyn #CharlesEbbets #Pigtown #CrownHeights #WashingtonPark #RedBarber #JohnnyVandermeer #LarryKing #RogerKuhn #OldGoldCigarettes #AbeStarKs #WalterOMalley #RobertMoses

With Shibe Park, Crosley Field, the Polo Grounds, Forbes Field and Comiskey Park already in our BKP collection, this week we add the grand-daddy of all the throwback cribs; the iconic and majestic Ebbets Field of Flatbush, Brooklyn. The former home of dem bums, the Brooklyn Dodgers. Throughout sports, there are certain franchises, that have such a storied tradition, that their legacy never dies. The Brooklyn Dodgers fit this bill, as the team, and their ballpark, dominated the Brooklyn borough landscape for over 40 years. #BrooklynDodgers #Flatbush #Brooklyn #CharlesEbbets #Pigtown #CrownHeights #WashingtonPark #RedBarber #JohnnyVandermeer #LarryKing #RogerKuhn #OldGoldCigarettes #AbeStarKs #WalterOMalley #RobertMoses

October 5, 2007 The Cleveland Indians can thank a bug infestation at Jacobs Field for helping them defeat the New York Yankees, 2 - 1 in 11 innings, and take a 2-0 lead in the ALDS. The bugs are at their worst in the eighth inning, when a flustered Joba Chamberlain gives up the tying run on a wild pitch. The bugs descended upon Jacobs Field in the eighth inning of Game Two like a Biblical plague come to destroy the New York postseason. Indian Pitcher Fausto Carmona pitched through the swarm unaffected for the win.October 5, 1921 - New York is host to the first one-city World Series since 1906 and the Polo Grounds is the site for all nine games. Carl Mays of the Yankees needs 86 pitches to set the Giants down on five hits, four of them by Frankie Frisch, as Babe Ruth drives in the first run of the Series in the opening inning of the 3 - 0 Yankees win.October 5, 1929 - New York Giants Mel Ott and Chuck Klein of the Philadelphia Phillies go into a head-to-head doubleheader tied at 42 home runs apiece. In the opener, Klein homers for the Phillies off Carl Hubbell in his first at-bat to take the home run lead. In the nightcap, Phillies pitchers intentionally walk Ott five times rather than give him a chance to tie Klein. The last walk comes with the bases loaded. Lefty O'Doul of the Phillies has six hits on the day for a National League season-record of 254 hits.October 5, 1953 - The New York Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game Six of the World Series. BillyMartin collects his 12th Series hit, a single to center field in the bottom of the ninth inning, that gives the Yankees their fifth World Championship in a row. Historical Recap performed by:Robyn Newton from - Robyn Says

In September 1957 baseball's Dodgers, who'd called Brooklyn home since 1884, and Ebbets Field since 1913, played their final games in Flatbush. They'd been World Champions just two years earlier. Simultaneously, over in northern Manhattan, The New York Giants, champions in 1954, and at home near Coogan's Bluff since 1883, played their final game overlooking the Harlem River. Both teams would move three-thousand miles west to California. The Dodgers would settle in Los Angeles, first at Memorial Coliseum and then in the famed Dodger Stadium, winning the 1959 World Series, and five more in the years since. The Giants moved to San Francisco, played their home games at the mercilessly windy Candlestick Park, before moving to a new stadium in 2000, winning three world titles in the twenty-first century. New York would be left without a National League team to rival the cross-town Yankees for five years, until the New York Metropolitans, colloquially known as the Mets, were formed. They're winners of two world championships of their own. In 1960 hall of fame pitcher Bob Feller, hosting a syndicated show, spoke about that last Giants baseball weekend at the Polo Grounds. There's an old adage that says “change is life's only constant.” Post-War hope turned into labor strife and a baby boom, which gave rise to the most profitable radio year in history—1948—leading directly to the TV era. The new deal was more than ten years old and an urban diaspora, guided by white flight and atomic fear, brought families to newly blossomed suburban communities and left cities wondering what the future held. More uncertainty lay ahead. Four days into October, the USSR would launch Sputnik I, the first artificial Earth-orbiting satellite. Everybody's lives got a little nearer, and yet a little further apart. But, if they wanted to feel close, all they had to do was tune on a radio to a CBS affiliate Sunday afternoons as George Walsh breathed “and now” to open for Suspense. They'd perhaps remember a time when Jack Benny drove radio ratings, while his cast drove him crazy. To a time when Tuesday nights meant NBC with Fibber Mcgee and Molly, Bob Hope, and Red Skelton. When Thursdays meant Crosby, Suspense, and Burns and Allen. And to a time when Norman Corwin helped remember what brought us home. It's where we're all going anyway. More specifically, it's where we're heading next month.

President Kennedy speaks out on Vietnam; Governor Wallace blocks integration of Alabama public schools; two young women are brutally murdered in New York City; the Beatles take Britain by storm; Whitey Ford joins an elite group; a blast from the past at the Polo Grounds. Newscaster: Joe Rubenstein. Support us on Patreon!

7/10/1934 - All-Star Game - Polo Grounds in New York - The 1934 MLB All-Star Game was the second year that the game was played, but it's the first baseball game in which an audio recording still exists. The game featured an unbelievable 28 future hall of famers and is well known among baseball historians for the performance of starting pitcher Carl Hubbell. Be sure to listen closely to the first inning when, Hubbell strikes out five of the game's best hitters in succession: – Hall of famers Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons and Joe Cronin The game was played at the Polo Grounds in New York and was broadcast on NBC radio by announcers Tom Manning, Ford Bond, and Graham McNameeAmerican League Starting Lineup1 - 2B - Charlie Gehringer2 - LF - Heinie Manush3 - RF - Babe Ruth4 - 1B - Lou Gehrig5 - 3B - Jimmie Foxx6 - CF - Al Simmons7 - SS - Joe Cronin8 - C - Bill Dickey9 - P - Lefty Gomez-National League Starting Lineup1 - 2B - Frankie Frisch2 - 3B - Pie Traynor3 - LF - Joe Medwick4 - RF - Kiki Cuyler5 - CF - Wally Berger6 - 1B - Bill Terry7 - SS - Travis Jackson8 - C - Gabby Hartnett9 - P - Carl Hubbell

In 1929, at the Polo Grounds, the New York Giants become the first team to use a public address system.1947 - Larry Doby becomes the first black to appear in the American League. Striking out as a pinch hitter in an Indian 6 - 5 loss to the White Sox, the 22-year old and The former Newark Eagles standout will play in the major leagues for 13 years, amassing 1,515 hits, just three less than Jackie Robinson.1951 - At Ebbets Field, After sweeping the Giants in the 3-game series, Dodger manager Chuck Dressen declares, "We knocked 'em out. They won't bother us anymore." The Dodgers now lead the Giants by 7 1/2 games but will be surpassed by season's end when Bobby Thompson hits his historic homerun. Also on this day in 1951 future Hall of Famer, Rich "Goose" Gossage is born in Colorado Springs, CO.2002: Baseball legend Ted Williams, considered by many the greatest hitter in the history of the game, dies of cardiac arrest at the age of 83. The first-ballot Hall of Famer, who was a lifetime .344 hitter, won the Most Valuable Player Award and the Triple Crown twice, led the American League in batting six times, and hit .406 in 1941 during his 19-year career with the Boston Red Sox. Williams was also a vetrain of two wars servering as a pilot for the United States Marines.Historical Recap performed by:Robyn Newton from - Robyn Says This Day In Baseball is Sponsored by - www.vintagebaseballreflections.com - Join the membership today and listen to 50 years of baseball history told to you by the folks who were there! As a special offer, all our listeners can use the term - thisdayinbaseball at the membership check out. Trivia is provided by -Horseshide Trivia This Day In Baseball - This day in baseball, provides information about what happened on specific day, career highlights.

By Davy Crockett You can read, listen, or watch Read the full story of Frank Hart in my new book: Frank Hart: The First Black Ultrarunning Star By 1888, Hart had competed in about 30 six-day races in nine years. He had reached 100 miles or more in about 40 races and had so far won at least 30 ultras. Perhaps because of his color, he had not been given enough credit as being a dominant champion during his career. There certainly were some who were better six-day pedestrians, but he was at least in the top-10 of his era. Racist labels against blacks such has “laziness” were often heaped on him, which bothered him terribly. He worked very hard. How could anyone who competed in six-day races be referred to as lazy? He did have a serious problem with his finances and likely had a gambling addiction. He looked for new ways to make money in the sport, including race organizing and had been criticized for not paying runners fairly. He was so mad at the reaction that he vowed that he was retiring from the sport. Get Davy Crockett's new book, Strange Running Tales: When Ultrarunning was a Reality Show. This book highlights the most bizarre, shocking, funny, and head-scratching true stories that took place in extreme long-distance running, mostly during a 30-year period that began about 1875. O'Brien's Six Day Race Hart's retirement did not last long. He entered the next big international six-day race held on May 7, 1888, in Madison Square Garden. For this race, 96 men entered and 44 started. One rejected runner claimed he could go 750 miles. In this race was, George Littlewood (1859-1912) of Sheffield, England, the world record holder for walking 531 miles in six days, reached 100 miles in less than 16 hours. After the first day, Hart was already more than 20 miles behind. On the morning of day two, after running 122 miles, in seventh place, Hart was said to look lazy and quit the race as he was falling in the standings. He realized that he would not finish in the money. Littlewood went on to win with 611 miles. Throughout 1888, Hart competed in several 75-hour races in New York, Connecticut, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, winning most of them, but earning less than hoped for. Feeling rejected by Boston, he now claimed to be from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fox Diamond Belt Six Day Race Hart competed in the most historic six-day race in history, held November 26-December 1, 1888, in Madison Square Garden. There were 100 race entries, but they approved only 40 starters. Richard Kyle Fox (1846-1922), editor and publisher of the sporting publication, The Police Gazette, put it on. Leading up to the race, Hart trained at the Polo Grounds in Upper Manhattan each day “under the watchful eyes of trainers and admirers” with several other entrants, including Littlewood. It would be the last six-day race held in the original Madison Square Garden, previously called Gilmore's Garden, and P.T. Barnum's Hippodrome, made from an old train depot. The old building would begin to be demolished on August 7, 1889. It was located on the block that currently holds the New York Life Building. The Start Nearly 10,000 people filled the building for the start with 37 contestants. Through the first night, it became obvious why the building needed to be replaced. “The ring in the center of the garden looked as if it had been swept by a hurricane. Booths were overturned and the floor was flooded with melted snow, which had dropped through the crevices in the roof.” It didn't seem to bother Littlewood, who covered 77.4 miles in the first 12 hours. Original Madison Square Garden Hart was about 12 miles behind and struggled early. “Several doses of bug juice were taken, and the Haitian youth was wobbly in the legs, and his eyes rolled in a fine frenzy for some hours.” He covered 113 miles on day one, in 11th place. Again, racist comments were made by reporters that he was being lazy.

Radio ratings peaked in 1948 and the networks used excess profits to help launch TV. By 1950 NBC, CBS, and ABC were filling their entire primetime TV schedule. After eighteen years as one of radio's highest-rated weekly shows, the just-heard Fibber McGee and Molly began airing five nights per week for fifteen minutes on October 5th, 1953. As America moved west after World War II, turning farms into suburbs and western towns into cities, the pattern of radio listening was changing. The desire to expand the Major Leagues into new cities gained traction thanks to an upstart league known as The Continental League. In order to block its entry into the marketplace, Major League Baseball finally expanded in 1961. When the Washington Senators moved to Minnesota before the ‘61 season to become the Twins, Washington received a new Senators franchise. Thanks to the success of the Dodgers, The American League added the Los Angeles Angels, upping the junior circuit to ten teams. The following year, the National League added two new teams: The Colt 45s, who, in 1964 changed their name to the Astros, and the New York Metropolitans, colloquially known as the Mets. One by one, old ballparks were being torn down—Ebbets field in 1960, The Polo Grounds in 1964. Both sites are now occupied by housing projects. New stadiums were often multipurpose —able to accommodate both football and baseball. Like with baseball, how America got its entertainment was also changing. By 1960, scripted radio drama was dying out as shows either moved to TV or were canceled. Although baseball would still be broadcast on the radio, fans now tuned into TV for their favorite games. A new generation of sportscasters emerged, like former Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto. He called Roger Maris' record-breaking sixty-first home run at Yankee Stadium on October 1st, 1961. Rizzuto had a respectable playing career—winning the 1950 AL MVP award, but it was his work as a Yankees announcer that got him voted into the MLB Hall Of Fame in 1994. In 1956, while the Dodgers were still in Brooklyn, Jackie Robinson was putting the finishing touches on his remarkable career. That December 13th, the Dodgers traded Robinson to the Giants for Dick Littlefield and thirty-thousand dollars. Jackie Robinson opted to retire, rather than report and move to San Francisco. Within a few years he was hosting his own syndicated radio show, Jackie Robinson's Radio Shots. In 1960, he interviewed perhaps the most famous African-American pitcher in history, Satchel Paige. Jackie Robinson was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. Robinson was also the first African-American television analyst in MLB history, and the first African-American vice president of a major corporation, Chock full o'Nuts. On October 15th, 1972, at the second game of the World Series between the Oakland Athletics and the Cincinnati Reds, at Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium, Jackie Robinson was invited to throw out a ceremonial first pitch in honor of his twenty-five years of service to Major League Baseball. Complications from heart disease and diabetes made him almost blind by middle age. He used the opportunity to make one last statement to the baseball establishment. It would be Jackie Robinson's last public appearance. Jackie Robinson died nine days later at his home. He was fifty-three. His Manhattan funeral service attracted twenty-five hundred mourners. Many of his former teammates were pallbearers. Reverend Jesse Jackson delivered the eulogy. On April 15th, 1997, the fiftieth anniversary of Jackie Robinson's first game at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, Major League Baseball unanimously retired Robinson's number forty-two across the league. He is the only man to receive such an honor.

In 1954, it took a historic season to dethrone the Yankees who were five-time defending world champions. Although they won one-hundred three games, the Cleveland Indians won a then-American League record one-hundred eleven. The Indians were led by Center Fielder Larry Doby, the first African-American player in the AL, Third Basemen Al Rosen, and slugger Vic Wertz. Their pitching staff was anchored by Early Wynn, Bob Lemon and Bob Feller. In the National League, the pennant winners were the underdog New York Giants, who won ninety-seven games, once again beating out the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Giants drew 1.15 million fans to the Polo Grounds, second in the National League. Built in a hollow overlooking Coogan's Bluff near the western shore of the Harlem River in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan, a Polo Grounds ballpark had been on this site since 1890. The quirky park was shaped like a bathtub. It was only two-hundred-eighty feet from home plate down the left field line, and only two-hundred-sixty feet down the right. Center field however was over four-hundred-eighty feet away. But, the surrounding neighborhood was changing and Giants owner Horace Stonham began to wonder if he could draw more fans elsewhere. In the eighth inning of game one, the score was tied at two. Cleveland's Al Rosen and Larry Doby had both reached base on Giants pitcher Sal Maglie. Vic Wertz came up to bat. Wertz hit a ball to deep center field, where Giants superstar Willy Mays was playing. Mays ran straight backwards and caught the ball over his shoulder with his back to the field. Later nicknamed “the catch,” it changed the entire complexion of the series. The Giants would go on to sweep the Indians to claim the 1954 World Series title. It would be their last World Championship in New York. Baseball's economic model was changing. As great as the Yankees were, their dominance over the game created a league problem. The G.I. Bill was bringing families to the suburbs in the 1950s — and most of these families were white — radio and TV were embedding deeper into local markets. Major League cities were struggling to support two teams. After the 1952 season, the National League's Boston Braves, unable to compete with the Red Sox, moved to Milwaukee and won the World Series in five years. The AL St. Louis Browns moved to Baltimore after the 1953 season and became the Orioles, where they won 6 American League pennants in their first thirty years. The next year the Philadelphia Athletics moved to Kansas City, where they would remain until moving again, to Oakland, in 1968. Oakland won three consecutive championships in the 1970s. Although fans of every other team loved to hate the Yankees, the franchise was a lightning rod for celebrities and other heroes. Throughout the years Mel Allen had many interesting guests in the booth, like noted Pirates fan Bing Crosby. The team the Yankees often defeated in the World Series? The Brooklyn Dodgers, who lost to the Yankees in 1941, 1947, 1949, 1952, and 1953. In 1955 the tide finally turned and the Bums from Brooklyn became World Champions. Later, retired Hall of Fame player and then broadcaster Frankie Frisch was inside the Brooklyn Dodgers clubhouse speaking to the victorious team. Two years later, owner Walter O'Malley was in a dispute with New York City Park's Commissioner Robert Moses. Ebbets Field, open since 1913 was falling apart. The success of the Dodgers, and the population explosion in Brooklyn had made Ebbets Field too small. The 1957 seating capacity was a tiny thirty-two thousand. Yankee Stadium could seat nearly double. O'Malley wanted to build a stadium at the intersection of Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues in Brooklyn. Robert Moses wanted the team moved to Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens.

1951 seemed like the season it would all finally come together in Brooklyn. The Dodgers were led by Catcher Roy Campanella, First baseman Gil Hodges, Outfielder Duke Snider, and now second-baseman, Jackie Robinson. Through one-hundred sixteen games, Brooklyn had seventy wins. On August 11th the New York Giants trailed the Dodgers in the standings by thirteen games. Then, Giants manager Leo Durocher put coach Herman Franks in the Polo Grounds offices in the Giants' clubhouse beyond center field. His objective was to steal opposing catchers' signals. Franks used a telescope to relay signs through an electrical-buzzer system to the Giants' bullpen. From there, the signs would be flashed to the Giants' hitters. The Giants won thirty-seven of forty-four games down the stretch. It forced a tie with the Dodgers in the standings. A three game series was announced to decide the winner of the pennant. At Ebbets field in Game 1, Giants pitcher Jim Hearn out-dueled Dodgers starter Ralph Branca, and the Giants won three to one behind solo home runs from Andy Pafko, Bobby Thomson, and Monty Irvin. The second game, played at The Polo Grounds was a rout, but in favor of Brooklyn. Jackie Robinson had three hits, including a home run, and Dodgers starter Clem Labine went nine. October 3rd, 1951: Game three. The tight, tense affair was played before more than thirty-four thousand fans at the Polo Grounds. Brooklyn struck first when Jackie Robinson had an RBI single in the first inning. The Giants tied it in the seventh when Bobby Thomson hit a Sacrifice Fly. But the Dodgers struck right back, scoring three runs in the eighth. Jackie Robinson was once again in the middle of the action. With Dodgers pitcher Don Newcombe dealing, the game seemed all, but over. Then in the bottom of the 9th, The Giants put back-to-back men on. Whitey Lockman doubled to center field to score two runs. It made the score four-to-three. The winning run came up to bat. Ralph Branca came in to relieve Newcombe. Bobby Thompson was the Giants batter. The Giants would face the Yankees in the World Series and the Dodgers would again have to wait until next year.

In forty-four seasons from 1921 to 1964, The New York Yankees won the World Series twenty times. The dynasty began with Babe Ruth's sale from the Boston Red Sox after the 1919 season. Ruth learned his craft in an orphanage in Baltimore, making the Red Sox as a teenager in 1914. He quickly established himself as the best left-handed pitcher in the American League, but he could hit a ball further than anyone had seen. Over the next few seasons, the Red Sox slowly converted him into an outfielder. In 1919, he broke the Major League record, hitting twenty-nine home runs. The Red Sox drew 417,000 fans to Fenway Park, but they finished in sixth place. After that season, Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold Ruth to the Yankees. The Red Sox had won five of the first fifteen world championships. They wouldn't win another for eighty-six years. The 1919 Yankees were competitive. They finished seven games out of first place and drew 619,000 fans to the Polo Grounds. But the stadium's main tenant was The New York Giants. The Giants drew 708,000 fans. Neither team won the pennant. The National League was represented by The Cincinnati Reds, while the American League champions were the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox lost the series five games to three under suspicious circumstances, and eight men — including Shoeless Joe Jackson — were barred for life for throwing games. Baseball needed a hero and Babe Ruth, now in the nation's biggest city, was that man. In 1920, his first year with the Yankees, the team drew 1.2 million fans. The Giants drew 929,000 fans. Giants manager John McGraw wasn't happy with Ruth's popularity. McGraw was a savage competitor who'd been involved in baseball since the late nineteenth century. Grantland Rice's show once dramatized a story about McGraw. Meanwhile in Brooklyn, The Robbins drew 613,000 people to Ebbets Field in Flatbush. New York was the capital of baseball. The Giants and Yankees would meet in three straight World Series, and the Yankees would open up Yankee Stadium in the Bronx in 1923. Throughout the course of his legendary career, Babe Ruth hit .342 with 714 Home Runs, a lifetime on-base percentage of .474, and a lifetime Slugging percentage of .690. Bill Stern interviewed The Babe for his March 22nd, 1946 Colgate Sports Newsreel. Any conversation about Ruth's Yankees always included teammate Lou Gehrig, who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 1939 and forced to retire. Lou Gehrig's farewell speech was broadcast on Independence Day, 1939. His disease is now also known by his name. Lou Gehrig passed away on June 2nd, 1941. He was thirty-seven.

Johnny visits the Polo Grounds, east Harlem's most notorious housing projects, and gives a history of the violence of the crack era along with Unique Mecca, the former drug kingpin who was responsible for much of that violence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pitcher Elroy Face is a Pittsburgh legend and at 94, he is the oldest living former member of the Montreal Expos. He joins me this week to talk about playing in the most exciting World Series in baseball history (1960), having Roberto Clemente as a teammate and what it was like to play at the Polo Grounds, Crosley Field, Yankee Stadium and Forbes Field.Support the show

Five-time Emmy Award winner, former ESPN Sports Anchor and National Radio Hall of Famer Charley Steiner will begin his 19th season as a play-by-play announcer for the Dodgers.  He joins me on this episode of the podcast to talk about attending his first games at Ebbets Field, the Polo Grounds and Yankee Stadium.Support the show

With a full year of touring finally under their belt, the last three episodes of 2022 will feature a few of the best from each leg. We start off with an interesting one that took place on the west coast leg emanating from Fresno, CA. The band was in a tough spot with Matt Cameron still being sidelined due to Covid, but sometimes unfortunate situations can breed special moments. With Josh Klinghoffer and Richard Stuverud still back behind the kit to help out, they also recruited their original drummer, Dave Krusen, to take the stage for ten (double meaning there) songs for the first time at a Pearl Jam show since 1991. This performance was like comfort food for the old time fan who loved Dave's groove off of Ten from the time they were a teenager. They played nearly every song from the record and gave Dave his moment to shine, something that he always deserved as a founder of the band. Drummer drama isn't the only hurdle they had to jump in Fresno. Ed was dealing with a bout of food poisoning that he claimed to be one of the worst he's had aside from the infamous Polo Grounds show from 1995 where Neil Young replaced him in the set. Most of the songs prove to be a challenge for Ed vocally leading to some clunky performances in the beginning. But there is a certain movie character we compare him to once Krusen steps in and Ed suddenly seems much better. Can you guess who? Question of the week we ask here is what songs do you think that Krusen could have been a good fit on if he had stuck around for later records.   Visit the Concertpedia - http://liveon4legs.com Donate to the Show - http://patreon.com/liveon4legs

Lincoln Mitchell (San Francisco Year Zero) returns to talk the future of both San Francisco and the San Francisco Giants as well as the war against Ukraine. Plus tales: The clouded conception of a Negro Leaguer and the distorted memory of a crucial Giants-Reds game that turns out not to have been all that crucial, but is still certain to meet your expectorations. TABLE OF CONTENTSHerb Souell's Mom*The Day the Giants Didn't Win the Pennant*Lincoln Mitchell: To Rent or Buy in San Francisco*How Do the Giants Rebuild?*The Potential of a Mediocre Champion*Thyroid Estrada*Regression on the Farm*“1920 and ‘22”*Putinconfusion*The Great Illusion*Aaron Judge to San Francisco?*Dodgers Gear at the Giants Game*Goodbyes.The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out?

The majority of the New York City Council members are new, and are part of a class that is the most diverse and progressive in city history. Over the next year Brian Lehrer will get to know all 51 members. This week, Councilmember Robert Holden talks about his priorities for District 30, which includes Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village, Ridgewood, Woodhaven and Woodside. On today's '51 Council Members in 52 Weeks,' District 30's @CMBobHoldenNYC brought a chair from the old Yankee Stadium that he keeps in his office. His father worked there, plus Shea Stadium, Ebbets Field & Polo Grounds: pic.twitter.com/5fT38C2DNC — The Brian Lehrer Show and A Daily Politics Podcast (@BrianLehrer) August 1, 2022 Catch up with all the interviews here.

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley answer listener emails about why players in the dugout seem so confident in pitch locations, whether it would ever help to wear two gloves, MLB Big Inning and other baseball equivalents of NFL RedZone, the extreme dimensions of the Polo Grounds, what makes it so impressive that some players perform […]