1959 World Series — Game 2
Date: October 2, 1959
Venue: Comiskey Park (I), Chicago
Attendance: 47,653
Final Score: Los Angeles Dodgers 4, Chicago White Sox 3
Series: Tied 1–1
Context
The 1959 World Series was steeped in nostalgia and novelty:
The White Sox were in their first Series since 1919.
The Dodgers, in only their second year in Los Angeles, brought West Coast flair to a very Midwestern setting.
The OTR broadcast by Mel Allen and By Saam is a gem — calm pacing, ambient hum of Comiskey Park’s crowd, and that warm ribbon-mic tone that makes it ideal for your Sleep to Baseball series.
Game Summary (as heard on radio)1st–3rd Innings — Early Sox Edge
Chicago kept its Game 1 energy, scoring in the 1st: Nellie Fox singled and Ted Kluszewski lashed an RBI double off the left-field wall — 1-0 White Sox.
The Comiskey crowd has a low, constant roar in the background of the broadcast; you can hear Mel Allen’s smile as he says, “They love their baseball here on the South Side.”
Pitchers Bob Shaw (CHW) and Johnny Podres (LAD) settled in quickly, working fast. You hear By Saam gently noting the time of day and the light breeze over the microphone.
Charlie Neal jolted the game open with a solo homer to left-center, tying it 1-1.
Mel Allen, on the call: “And there she goes — deep to left center… and Neal has evened this ballgame!”
The crowd quiets briefly, replaced by faint organ notes between innings.
Neal struck again, doubling home two runs after Jim Gilliam reached on an error.
The Dodgers led 3-1, and Mel Allen’s tone turned crisp but measured — you can hear vendors faintly shouting in the background as By Saam describes the “beautiful symmetry of Comiskey Park in the late afternoon light.”
Ted Kluszewski, already a Game 1 hero, delivered again with a sharp single scoring Fox to make it 3-2.
The old carbon microphones pick up the rhythmic clapping and brass band between innings — one of the warmest sound textures of any ’50s broadcast.
The Dodgers answered in the top of the 7th: Charlie Neal again — a towering home run to deep left, his second of the day, putting L.A. up 4-2.
In the bottom of the 8th, the Sox clawed within one: Al Smith singled, Aparicio doubled him home — 4-3.
Larry Sherry, the Dodgers’ rookie reliever, came in and quieted the rally, his curveball heavy and low in the mix.
In the 9th, Chicago put the tying run on first, but Sherry induced a double play — a soft grounder to Neal, flipped to Wills, over to Hodges to end it.
You can hear Mel Allen’s classic “That’s all, folks!” echo through the static as the crowd’s murmur fades into applause.
Charlie Neal (LAD): 3-for-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI — offensive engine.
Johnny Podres: 5 ⅔ IP, steady early work before handing off to Sherry.
Larry Sherry: 3 ⅓ IP, 1 R, closed it out and earned the save.
Ted Kluszewski (CHW): 2 RBI, now with 7 RBI through two games.
For your Sleep to Baseball format, the Mel Allen / By Saam radio feed is gold:
Ambient hum: You can hear the Comiskey crowd breathing — a low, oceanic murmur.
Mic hiss: Gentle, tape-warm, non-intrusive.
Organ breaks: “Chicago That Toddlin’ Town” and “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” between innings.
Cadence: Mel Allen’s voice is smooth and deliberate; By Saam fills quiet stretches with weather and field observations — perfect for a calming listen.
Los Angeles Dodgers 4 — Chicago White Sox 3
Series tied 1–1.
The Dodgers would go on to win the Series in six games, clinching in Los Angeles for their first championship since moving west.
4th Inning — Dodgers Tie It5th Inning — Dodgers Go Ahead6th–7th Innings — Sox Fight Back8th–9th Innings — Tight Finish
And now back to something to sleep or relax to - the 1959 MLB All-Star Game — Game 1
1959 MLB All-Star Game — Game 1
Date: July 7, 1959
Venue: Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, PA
Attendance: 35,277
Final Score: National League 5, American League 4
Context
1959 was the first year MLB held two All-Star Games, part of a short-lived plan to boost the players’ pension fund.
This first game in Pittsburgh was defined by its soft summer atmosphere — a hazy afternoon at Forbes Field with distant organ music, the hum of a full crowd, and that unmistakable old-radio timbre. The National League snapped a four-year losing streak to the AL with a comeback win.
Game Summary1st–3rd Innings
The game opened calmly, the crowd buzzing softly under the Forbes Field trees.
Both Don Drysdale (NL) and Early Wynn (AL) traded scoreless frames early. You can almost hear the faint streetcar bells outside the park in the old broadcast recordings — a serene start.
The American League took a 3–1 lead thanks to key hits from Nellie Fox and Al Kaline.
Ted Williams drew a walk, Killebrew followed with a deep RBI fly, and Fox singled home another. The AL appeared in control.
The National League began its comeback:
In the 5th, Eddie Mathews doubled in a run.
In the 6th, Willie Mays singled, stole second, and scored on Hank Aaron’s base hit.
The crowd began chanting “Willie, Willie” — one of the most atmospheric audio moments from the surviving radio copy.
The decisive frame: Ernie Banks lined a double off Jim Bunning, and Wally Moon (PH) delivered the go-ahead RBI single.
The NL now led 5–4, and the park erupted with a low, rolling cheer that echoed under the broadcast canopy.
National League reliever Elroy Face, pitching in his home park (Forbes Field), closed it out with two scoreless innings.
His slider dipped under bats, and the gentle crowd noise rises and falls beautifully in the old recording — quintessential 1950s baseball ambience.
Wally Moon (NL): Pinch-hit RBI single for the win.
Willie Mays (NL): 2-for-3, two runs, a stolen base, and constant energy.
Elroy Face (PIT, NL): Saved the game before his home fans.
Luis Aparicio (AL): Sparked early rallies with sharp defense and a single.
Final Score
Dodgers 10, Reds 5.
With this win the Dodgers took a 1–0 lead in the best-of-3 series.
The Dodgers got off to a fast start: In the bottom of the 1st inning, Shohei Ohtani hit a leadoff solo home run off Reds starter Hunter Greene.
In the bottom of the 3rd inning, the Dodgers broke things open: Teoscar Hernández hit a three-run homer, followed by a solo shot from Tommy Edman — turning it into a 5-0 lead.
In the bottom of the 5th, Teoscar Hernández added his second home run of the game (solo) to make it 6-0.
In the bottom of the 6th, Ohtani blasted his second home run of the game, pushing the lead to 8-0.
The Reds began to respond: In the top of the 7th, Elly De La Cruz had an RBI single and Tyler Stephenson followed with an RBI double, cutting the deficit to 8-2.
The Dodgers added two more runs in the bottom of the 7th to make it 10-2.
In the top of the 8th inning the Reds scored three runs (via a walk-in and an RBI single) to make it 10-5.
The Dodgers’ bullpen closed out → they held on despite the Reds’ late push.
Blake Snell (Dodgers starter) went 7 innings, allowed 4 hits and 2 runs, struck out 9.
Hunter Greene (Reds starter) had a rough outing: 3 innings, six hits, 5 runs allowed (including multiple home runs).
Offensively for the Dodgers: Ohtani and Hernández each had two home runs.
The five home runs by the Dodgers tied a franchise postseason record for a single game.
The early offensive explosion by the Dodgers put the Reds in a deep hole from which they couldn’t fully recover.
The Reds’ pitching plan (starting Greene) back-fired, giving the Dodgers momentum.
Although the Reds mounted a partial comeback, the deficit was too large and the Dodgers’ early lead held.
This win gave the Dodgers the commanding edge in a short best-of-3; psychological advantage going into Game
Mets @ Astros - October 15, 1986 – (NLCS Game 6)
in one of the most iconic games in baseball history, the New York Mets triumphed over the Houston Astros 7–6 in a 16-inning marathon at the Astrodome, clinching their first National League pennant since 1973. The game featured a dramatic comeback, with the Mets scoring three runs in the ninth inning to tie the game, and later adding three more in the top of the 16th. Astros' Billy Hatcher responded with a solo home run in the bottom of the 16th, but Mets' reliever Jesse Orosco struck out Kevin Bass with the tying and winning runs on base to secure the victory.
The broadcast was called by legendary sportscaster Keith Jackson, known for his distinctive voice and memorable catchphrases. This game marked one of Jackson's final baseball broadcasts, adding to its historical significance.
1986 NLCS Game 6, Mets vs. Astros, 16-inning game, Keith Jackson broadcast, Jesse Orosco strikeout, Billy Hatcher home run, Astros vs. Mets 1986, NLCS history, baseball classics, October 1986 baseball
Game Summary — Dodgers 5, Blue Jays 1 (Series tied 1–1)
The Los Angeles Dodgers bounced back to take Game 2 by a 5–1 margin, evening the series at one game apiece.
The performance of the night was Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who threw a complete game — four hits allowed, eight strikeouts, zero walks, and retired the final 20 batters he faced.
This was the first complete game in a World Series since 2015.
He became the first pitcher to throw multiple complete games in the same postseason since Madison Bumgarner in 2014, and the first to do so in back-to-back postseason starts since Curt Schilling in 2001.
Los Angeles scoring breakdown:
The Dodgers struck first in the 1st inning: Freddie Freeman doubled and later scored on a Will Smith RBI single to make it 1–0.
The game remained tight until the 7th inning, when back-to-back solo home runs by Will Smith and Max Muncy put L.A. ahead 3–1.
In the 8th inning, Toronto’s pitcher Jeff Hoffman threw a wild pitch that allowed a run to score, and then Smith grounded into a force, driving in another run to make it 5–1. Wikipedia+2AP News+2
Toronto’s lone run came earlier: they scored via a sacrifice fly (hit by Alejandro Kirk) in the 3rd inning.
On the mound for Toronto was Kevin Gausman, who allowed 4 runs (3 earned) over 6⅔ innings, striking out six and walking none.
With that win, the Dodgers forced the series back to Los Angeles for Game 3, as the teams were now tied 1–1.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said:
“He could have went another, you know, 30, 40 pitches tonight.”
He also lauded Yamamoto’s composure: “I just feel that part of his DNA is to just perform at a high level in big spots, and control his heartbeat and just continue to make pitches.”
From Roberts on Yamamoto’s mindset going into the series:
“He said before the series, losing is not an option & he had that look tonight.”
Game 7 — Overview & Final Line
Game Flow & Key Moments
Early Innings: Back-and-Forth
So after five innings, Seattle seemed in control, up two runs.
Turning Point: 7th Inning Drama
This homer by Springer has historical significance: it was the first time in MLB postseason history that a team trailing by multiple runs in the 7th inning or later hit a go-ahead home run in a Game 7
Final Innings: Closing It Out
ignificance & Storylines
Game Summary — October 17, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers at Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
Attendance: 52,883
Final Score: Dodgers 5 – Brewers 1
2025 NLCS: Dodgers Sweep Brewers
The Dodgers defeated Milwaukee 4–0 in the best-of-seven series to win the 2025 National League Championship Series and advance to the World Series.
They allowed only 4 runs in the entire series, and the Brewers’ team batting average was just .118 — the lowest ever by a team in a postseason series (of at least 3 games)
Shohei Ohtani was named NLCS MVP thanks to an awe-inspiring Game 4 performance: he struck out 10 and hit three home runs while pitching into the 7th inning, leading the Dodgers to a clinching 5–1 victory
Game 4 (Series-clincher): Dodgers 5, Brewers 1
Key moments / highlights:
Ohtani did it all: on the mound he struck out 10 and allowed just two hits over six-plus innings; at the plate he became the 12th player in MLB postseason history to launch three homers in a single game.
His homers came in the 1st, 4th, and 7th innings.
The Brewers’ lone run came in the 8th via an RBI fielder’s choice, off reliever Anthony Banda.
In relief, Rōki Sasaki closed the 9th with a scoreless frame to seal the sweep.
The game lasted 2h 41m at Dodger Stadium with attendance of 52,883.
Game Summary: September 11, 1983
Angels at White Sox
On Sunday, September 11, 1983, the Chicago White Sox secured a 5–4 victory over the California Angels in a thrilling 10-inning game at Comiskey Park. The game was highlighted by a dramatic walk-off single by Harold Baines in the bottom of the ninth inning, driving in Julio Cruz for the win. This victory completed a perfect 7–0 homestand for the White Sox, marking their third such homestand in franchise history. The win improved their record to 84–59, extending their lead in the American League West division.
Commentators: The broadcast opened with Ken Wilson, with Joe McConnell calling play-by-play and Ken Wilsonproviding color commentary throughout the game.
The highlight of the game came with Harold Baines’ walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th, driving in Julio Cruz for the decisive run.
This victory capped off a perfect 7–0 homestand for the White Sox, marking a remarkable stretch in the 1983 season.
With the win, the White Sox improved their record to 84–59, solidifying their lead in the American League West.
1986 World Series – Game 6: Boston Red Sox @ New York Mets
October 25, 1986 – Shea Stadium, New York
Game 6 of the 1986 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets is one of the most famous games in baseball history. Broadcast nationally on NBC with Vin Scully and Joe Garagiola, the game was filled with tension and unforgettable ambience.
The Red Sox took the lead early and were just one strike away from their first championship since 1918. But in the bottom of the 10th at Shea Stadium, the Mets staged a legendary comeback. Gary Carter, Kevin Mitchell, and Ray Knight kept the inning alive with clutch hits. A wild pitch tied the game, and then came the moment that defined the Series: Mookie Wilson’s ground ball that rolled through Bill Buckner’s legs. The error allowed Ray Knight to score, giving the Mets a stunning 6–5 victory.
This “Buckner game” is remembered as the ultimate collapse for Boston and one of the greatest comebacks in Mets history. The crowd at Shea erupted, Vin Scully’s iconic call captured the moment, and baseball lore was forever changed.
Final Score: Mets 6, Red Sox 5 (10 innings).
1989 World Series – Game 3: Oakland Athletics @ San Francisco Giants
October 17, 1989 – Candlestick Park, San Francisco
Game 3 of the ’89 Series was set to be a classic Bay Area matchup, but it will forever be remembered for what happened before the first pitch. At 5:04 PM local time, just minutes before the scheduled start, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the Bay Area. The broadcast from ABC cut out mid-introduction, with commentators Al Michaels, Tim McCarver, and Jim Palmer initially thinking it was just technical difficulties—until the reality set in. The sound of the crowd, the shaking of Candlestick Park, and the stunned silence afterward created one of the most surreal ambiences in baseball history.
The earthquake forced a 10-day postponement of the Series. When play finally resumed on October 27, 1989, the atmosphere was unlike any other World Series game—somber, reflective, but also filled with relief that baseball could provide a sense of normalcy.
Al Michaels’ on-air reaction to the earthquake in Game 3 (“I’ll tell you what, we’re having an earthqua—”) is one of the most famous moments in sports broadcasting history.
On the field:
The Oakland A’s, already up 2–0 in the series, dominated again, winning 13–7.
For Oakland: Dave Stewart gave another strong performance on the mound, and the lineup was relentless. José Canseco doubled in a pair of runs, Carney Lansford added key hits, and Terry Steinbach’s bat helped open the game wide. Dave Henderson made a highlight defensive play in right field, tracking down a deep fly.
For San Francisco: The Giants showed fight with big swings late in the game—Matt Williams and Candy Maldonado both provided RBI hits, and Kevin Mitchell crushed a home run that gave the crowd a reason to roar despite the deficit.
Though the A’s bats overpowered the Giants, the game is remembered less for the scoreboard and more for the unprecedented ambience: the tension of the earthquake’s aftermath, the resiliency of the Bay Area, and the unique commentary of Al Michaels, whose live reaction to the quake became one of sports broadcasting’s defining moments.
Final Score: Oakland 13, San Francisco 7.
The A’s took a commanding 3–0 lead, setting up what would become a Series sweep—forever marked as the “Earthquake Series.”
Date & Venue: October 26, 1997 – Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Florida
Final Score: Florida Marlins 3, Cleveland Indians 2 (11 innings)
Summary:
Game 7 of the 1997 World Series was a tense, rain-soaked, extra-innings thriller that ended with the expansion Florida Marlins winning their first championship in only their fifth season of existence.
The Cleveland Indians struck first in the 3rd inning when Tony Fernández singled in a run, giving them a 1–0 lead. The game remained tight as both starters . Jaret Wright for Cleveland and Al Leiter for Florida , battled effectively.
In the 9th inning, the Indians were just three outs away from clinching their first championship since 1948. They held a 2–1 lead thanks to a sacrifice fly from Fernández in the top of the frame. Manager Mike Hargrove turned to closer José Mesa to finish it.
But the Marlins rallied. In the bottom of the 9th, Moisés Alou singled, and Craig Counsell hit a sacrifice fly that scored Alou, tying the game at 2–2 and sending it into extra innings.
In the 11th inning, the Marlins mounted their historic rally. With the bases loaded and one out against Charles Nagy, Édgar Rentería hit a soft single up the middle, scoring Counsell with the winning run. The Marlins walked off with a 3–2 victory and the 1997 World Series championship.
Key Performances:
Historical Significance:
Game Summary
Pitching Performance & Key Stats
Offensive & Other Highlights
Context & Backstory
Commentators / Broadcast Information
thank you
nathankc for putting this game on my radar, classic!
Chicago White Sox vs. California Angels — October 5, 1980
Ballpark: Comiskey Park (the original, South Side of Chicago) City: Chicago, Illinois
Occasion: Final day of the MLB regular season and the final White Sox broadcast on WSNS Channel 44 before their games moved to another station.
So this one wasn’t a thriller like a World Series Game 7 — but as a last-day-of-the-season snapshot at old Comiskeywith Harry Caray and Jimmy Piersall signing off WSNS
The Game Flow
Pitching & Key Players
1960 World Series – Game 7
Date: October 13, 1960
Location: Forbes Field, Pittsburgh
Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Yankees
The Game Summary
This was one of the most dramatic and unusual World Series finales ever played.
The Pirates jumped out early with a 4–0 lead, sparked by Rocky Nelson’s two-run homer and a Roberto Clemente RBI.
The Yankees, with their thunderous lineup (Mantle, Maris, Berra), clawed back. Yogi Berra hit a key three-run homer to put New York ahead 5–4.
By the top of the 8th, the Yankees had stretched it to 7–4, and it looked all but sealed.
But the Pirates roared back in the bottom half. Hal Smith smashed a three-run homer off Jim Coates, giving Pittsburgh a 9–7 lead and sending Forbes Field into a frenzy.
In the 9th, the Yankees tied it again. Mickey Mantle’s clutch single scored the tying run, making it 9–9.
Bottom of the 9th, tied 9–9: Bill Mazeroski led off against Ralph Terry. On a 1–0 pitch, Mazeroski swung and sent the ball over the left-field wall.
It was the first and only Game 7 walk-off home run in World Series history. Pirates win, 10–9.
Final: Pirates 10 – Yankees 9
Series: Pittsburgh wins 4–3
Mel Allen was the announcer
1986 NLCS Game 6
New York Mets @ Houston Astros – October 15, 1986
Location: Astrodome, Houston, TX
Final Score: Mets 7, Astros 6 (16 innings)
Series Result: Mets win NLCS, 4–2
Game Summary:
Game 6 of the 1986 NLCS was an epic, exhausting, and dramatic classic that stretched across 16 innings and nearly 5 hours—a test of endurance, willpower, and championship resolve. The Astros, behind starter Bob Knepper, dominated early, taking a 3-0 lead into the 9th inning. With just three outs to go and ace Mike Scott looming for Game 7, it looked all but over for the Mets.
But New York wasn’t done.
In the top of the 9th, the Mets strung together clutch hits, including a critical RBI double from Wally Backman and a game-tying sacrifice fly by Lenny Dykstra to stun the home crowd and send the game into extra innings at 3–3.
From there, the game turned chaotic and unforgettable.
Both teams missed chances in extra frames. The Mets took a 4–3 lead in the 14th, only for Billy Hatcher to crush a game-tying homer off the foul pole in the bottom half. In the 16th, the Mets broke through with three runs, helped by a Ray Knight RBI single and a wild pitch.
Even then, Houston wasn’t finished. The Astros scored two runs in the bottom of the 16th and brought the winning run to the plate before Jesse Orosco struck out Kevin Bass with the tying and winning runs on base, ending the instant classic and sending the Mets to the World Series.
Why It’s One of the Greatest Comebacks in Baseball History:
Quote from Mets Manager Davey Johnson:
“If I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t believe it.”
Game 3 – October 3, 1951 @ Polo Grounds (NY)
On October 3, 1951, the Giants staged a dramatic come‑from‑behind comeback in the bottom of the ninth at the Polo Grounds when Bobby Thomson hit the legendary walk-off homer off Ralph Branca, turning a 4–2 deficit into a 5–4 pennant win. The radio broadcast, carried on WMCA in New York, featured broadcaster Russ Hodges, whose repeated exclamation “The Giants win the pennant!” became one of the most timeless calls in sports history.
Why It Still Matters
One of baseball’s most-cinematic finishes from a 13½-game deficit in mid-August to a pennant-clinching home run. ☑️
The first major league game ever televised coast-to-coast, opening a new era radio remained the emotional centerpiece for that moment. sabr.org
Russ Hodges’ radio narration, captured by a lucky fan on home tape recorder, ensures that moment lives on even decades later.
Radio Broadcast: “The Giants win the pennant…”
Local Giants radio home broadcasts on WMCA (New York) featured Russ Hodges at the mic, with his partner Ernie Harwell (listed as Giants radio team for the season), though for Game 3 Harwell was assigned to national TV while Hodges handled the radio alone. Russell Hodges’ ecstatic call, "The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!", repeated four times, became the most famous call in baseball history. sabr.org
This game was also carried on multiple networks, including the Mutual and Liberty systems, as well as Dodgers’ and Giants’ local affiliate feeds. Dodgers’ radio voice Red Barber, calling the play for Brooklyn fans, had his own classic ending:
“It is … a home run! And the New York Giants win the National League pennant and the Polo Grounds goes wild!”
On October 4, 1955, the Brooklyn Dodgers secured their first World Series title by defeating the New York Yankees 2–0 in Game 7 at Yankee Stadium. This victory marked a significant moment for the Dodgers, who had previously lost five World Series to the Yankees.
Game Summary
The game's standout performer was 23-year-old left-handed pitcher Johnny Podres, who delivered a complete-game shutout. He allowed only eight hits and no runs over nine innings, earning his second win of the series and being named the World Series MVP.
Offensively, the Dodgers scored their first run in the fourth inning and added another in the sixth. Key contributions came from players like Gil Hodges, who provided crucial RBIs. The Yankees threatened in the sixth inning with runners on base, but a pivotal defensive play by left fielder Sandy Amoros, who made a remarkable catch and initiated a double play, helped preserve the Dodgers' lead.
Radio Broadcast
The radio broadcast of Game 7 featured renowned announcers Mel Allen and Vin Scully, who provided play-by-play commentary for NBC Radio. Their broadcast captured the excitement and tension of the game, bringing the historic moment to fans across the nation.
This game was the first-ever World Series televised in color.
Key Moments Packed Into 2 Action‑Filled Minutes
Johnny Podres’ Comeback Legacy
Despite a modest regular season (he was 9–10), the 23-year-old lefty delivered a five-hit complete-game shutout, one of two brilliant starts in the series, and earned World Series MVP—the first ever awarded
Gil Hodges: Two clutch RBIs
Hodges drove in runs with a two-out single in the 4th inning and a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the 6th, both set up by aggressive baserunning from Campanella and Reese.Wikipedia
Sandy Amorós to Reese to Hodges — game‑saving double play
In the 6th, with Yankees threatening and runners on first and second, Amorós made a diving catch in left‑field corner on a Yogi Berra liner. He then threw to Pee Wee Reese, who relayed to Hodges to complete a double play, ending the rally.
Defining moments with runners in scoring position
The Yankees scattered eight hits but had just one with two men in scoring position. In the 3rd inning, a Rizzuto-RBI grounder resulted in an out at third base on Phil Rizzuto being awarded first—the play was viewed by Dodgers as a pivotal “omen.
Pee Wee Reese finishes it off
The final out came one batter earlier than usual: Elston Howard hit a ground ball to Reese at short, who flipped to Hodges at first—and Brooklyn broke their long “curse” over the Yankees.
Jackie Robinson's only Series absence
Remarkably, this was the only World Series game Robinson never appeared in—Don Hoak started at third base in Game 7.
Personally ,this is a holy grail find.
I was looking for games from the 1950's that had a sense of ambience, and found this.
Not an awful lot happens on this Tuesday night game from June 4th, 1957 but the ambience, sound and most of all, commentary from Vin Scully, Jerry Doggett, Al Helfer and Tex Rickards is top shelf.
Incredible mood, there is no dramatic steals or series‑clinching tension in this game just a great atmosphere.
I’ve split it into two parts, applied a gentle EQ roll‑off to tame the ultra–high frequencies while preserving everything I love about the sound of this.
as for the game itself -
Game Summary
Final Score: Dodgers 7, Cubs 5
Winning Pitcher: Sandy Koufax (in relief)
Save: Clem Labine
Scoring Highlights:
Dodgers: Roy Campanella crushed a 2‑run double off the scoreboard in the 1st inning; Duke Snider homered in the 3rd; Gil Hodges in the 5th.
Cubs: Randy Jackson Speake homered in the 6th; Ernie Banks pulled one in the 8th.
Noteworthy: Joe Pignatano made his MLB debut after Campanella was plunked in the 3rd inning; the game's ambient energy is captured in full on the original WOKO‑preserved radio broadcast
Broadcast Team -
Vin Scully (opened the broadcast, first 3 innings + middle-inning shifts)
Jerry Doggett (handled most of the mid- & late innings)
Al Helfer (between innings & post‑game summary)
Tex Rickards (public-address announcer at Ebbets)
Personally ,this is a holy grail find.
I was looking for games from the 1950's that had a sense of ambience, and found this.
Not an awful lot happens on this Tuesday night game from June 4th, 1957 but the ambience, sound and most of all, commentary from Vin Scully, Jerry Doggett, Al Helfer and Tex Rickards is top shelf.
Incredible mood, there is no dramatic steals or series‑clinching tension in this game just a great atmosphere.
I’ve split it into two parts, applied a gentle EQ roll‑off to tame the ultra–high frequencies while preserving everything I love about the sound of this.
as for the game itself -
Game Summary
Final Score: Dodgers 7, Cubs 5
Winning Pitcher: Sandy Koufax (in relief)
Save: Clem Labine
Scoring Highlights:
Dodgers: Roy Campanella crushed a 2‑run double off the scoreboard in the 1st inning; Duke Snider homered in the 3rd; Gil Hodges in the 5th.
Cubs: Randy Jackson Speake homered in the 6th; Ernie Banks pulled one in the 8th.
Noteworthy: Joe Pignatano made his MLB debut after Campanella was plunked in the 3rd inning; the game's ambient energy is captured in full on the original WOKO‑preserved radio broadcast
Broadcast Team -
Vin Scully (opened the broadcast, first 3 innings + middle-inning shifts)
Jerry Doggett (handled most of the mid- & late innings)
Al Helfer (between innings & post‑game summary)
Tex Rickards (public-address announcer at Ebbets)
In Summary
Ken Johnson’s April 23 outing was a pitcher’s dream and nightmare in one: dominant on the mound, but undone by tiny errors. A rare and unforgettable slice of baseball history.
Why It Matters
Johnson's game stands as a unique oddity in modern baseball lore—a heartbreaking masterpiece.
The story also underscores how defensive miscues, not just pitching performances, can shape a game’s fate.
Despite this gem, the Colt .45s struggled all season, finishing 9th in the NL with a 66–96 record
Scoring Breakdown
In the top of the 9th, Reds’ Pete Rose laid down a bunt. Johnson’s errant throw allowed Rose to reach second
Two batters later, Vada Pinson grounded out but Nellie Fox committed a critical error on the play—scoring Rose from second
That lone, unearned run decided the entire game.