Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Classic Baseball Daily Highlights
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Classic Baseball Daily Highlights
Classic Baseball Daily Highlights episodes
- Koufax and Drysdale Holdout February 28 1966
On February 28, 1966 — Refusing to report to spring training, Los Angeles Dodger pitchers Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale begin their joint holdout, asking for a $1 million, three-year contract, to be divided equally between them. The deal, equivalent to an annual salary of $167,000 for each hurler, will make them the best-paid players in baseball, easily surpassing Willie Mays’ $125,000 yearly paycheck with the Giants. Although the deal didn’t happen, On March 30, Drysdale and Koufax will end their holdouts, with each signing one-year contracts worth under $150,000. Koufax, however, will become the highest-paid player in the game.
Join the Daily Rewind - Join.
Classic Baseball Broadcasts - reconnect with baseball history.
Classic Baseball Broadcasts
Mentioned in this episode:
Classic Baseball Broadcasts
Classic Baseball Broadcasts
Mentioned in this episode:
New CBB Podcast Intro
Post Roll March 26
11 min - Duke Snider Passes Away February 27
February 27, 2011 — The “Duke of Flatbush”, Hall of Famer Duke Snider dies in Escondido, CA at age 84. Snider was a power-hitting centerfielder for the great Brooklyn Dodgers teams of the 1950s and is immortalized in Terry Cashman’s song “Willie, Mickey and the Duke”.
Snider was Brooklyn’s entry into one of the most passionate debates in baseball history. New York sportswriter Red Smith once wrote, “(Duke) Snider, (Mickey) Mantle, and (Willie) Mays. You could get a fat lip in any saloon by starting an argument as to which was the best.”
Sharing the big city spotlight with fellow future Hall of Fame centerfielders Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle, Snider was part of a magical period in New York baseball that saw a team from the nation’s largest city win the World Series in nine out of the 10 seasons between 1949 and 1958. The Dodgers appeared in the Fall Classic five times during that time, winning their only championship in Brooklyn in 1955. Although the Dodger lineup also featured other outstanding performers such as Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, and Gil Hodges throughout much of the period, no one on the team wielded a more potent bat than Snider. And, even though the Brooklyn centerfielder usually came out third best in comparisons to Mays and Mantle, Snider hit more home runs during the 1950s (326) than any other player in baseball.
Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner once noted, “I’d say Duke covers more ground, wastes less motion, and is more consistent than anyone since DiMaggio.” And Stan Musial named Snider, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron as his all-time National League outfield.
What could have been – after the failed playoff series in 1951 Snider later recalled, “I went to Walter O’Malley and told him I couldn’t take the pressure. I told him I’d just as soon be traded. I told him I figured I could do the Dodgers no good.”
Mentioned in this episode:
Classic Baseball Broadcasts
Classic Baseball Broadcasts
Mentioned in this episode:
New CBB Podcast Intro
Post Roll March 26
27 min - Babe Ruth released February 26
On February 26, 1935, the New York Yankees release longtime star outfielder Babe Ruth, freeing him to sign a $20,000 contract with the National League’s Boston Braves. Ruth’s new contract with the Braves also gives him a share of the team’s profits. In 1934, Ruth had endured one of his worst seasons with the Yankees, at least by his lofty standards, with a .288 batting average, 22 home runs, and 84 RBIs.
This season, he will play just only 28 games for the Braves before announcing his retirement on June 2nd at the age of 40. Ruth will hit the final three home runs of his major league career on May 25th against the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving him a total of 714. His last home run will clear the right field grandstand at Forbes Field and will travel an estimated 600 feet.
Join the Daily Rewind - Join.
Classic Baseball Broadcasts - reconnect with baseball history.
Mentioned in this episode:
Classic Baseball Broadcasts
Classic Baseball Broadcasts
Mentioned in this episode:
New CBB Podcast Intro
Post Roll March 26
11 min - Steve Carlton to the Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher Rick Wise
February 25, 1972, the St. Louis Cardinals trade future Hall of Famer Steve Carlton to the Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher Rick Wise. The trade will prove to be one of the best in the history of the Philadelphia franchise, as Carlton will win an amazing 27 games for the last-place Phillies in 1972. During his career with the Phillies, Carlton will win 241 games and four Cy Young awards. Carlton will also help the Phils win 6 NL East crowns, 2 National League pennants, and the 1980 World Series.
Join the Daily Rewind - Join.
Classic Baseball Broadcasts - reconnect with baseball history.
Mentioned in this episode:
Classic Baseball Broadcasts
Classic Baseball Broadcasts
Mentioned in this episode:
Post Roll March 26
New CBB Podcast Intro
13 min - Dick Williams resigns for Padres
February 24, 1986, Dick Williams resigns as manager of the San Diego Padres, eleven weeks after Padres executives attempt to buy out his contract, only to be thwarted by team owner Joan Kroc, and is replaced by Steve Boros. In 1985, Williams guided the Padres to a record of 83-79. The previous year, Williams led the Padres to their first post-season berth and World Series appearance and compiled a 337-311 (.520) record during his four seasons in San Diego.
Join the Daily Rewind - Join.
Classic Baseball Broadcasts - reconnect with baseball history.
Mentioned in this episode:
Classic Baseball Broadcasts
Classic Baseball Broadcasts
Mentioned in this episode:
New CBB Podcast Intro
Post Roll March 26
8 min - Smoky Joe Wood Sold by Red Sox
On February 24, 1917 – – Smoky Joe Wood, his arm dead at 26, is sold by the Boston Red Sox to Cleveland for $15,000. He will become an outfielder after one last, losing start on the mound, and will play five more years.
Wood had slipped on wet grass while fielding a bunt in a game against the Detroit Tigers. He fell and broke his thumb, and pitched in pain for the following three seasons. Although he maintained a winning record and a low ERA, his appearances were limited, as he could no longer recover quickly from pitching a game. Wood sat out the 1916 season and most of the 1917 season, and for all intents and purposes ended his pitching career.
When Wood was sold to the Cleveland Indians, he rejoined former teammate Tris Speaker. Always proficient with the bat, he embarked on a second career; like his former teammate Babe Ruth, Wood ended his career as an outfielder. His hitting statistics, however, were far more pedestrian than those of Ruth. Nonetheless, Wood finished in the top 10 in the American League in runs batted in two seasons (1918 and 1922), and in 1918 he also finished in the top ten in home runs, doubles, batting average, and total bases. Wood pitched seven more times, all but one game in relief, winning none and losing one. He also appeared in four games in the 1920 World Series becoming the only player besides Ruth to be a starting pitcher and starting outfielder in a World Series game.
Wood finished his major league career after the 1922 season with a pitching record of 117–57 and an ERA of 2.03. His lifetime batting average was .283. In his final season with the Indians, he had his highest hit total for a season with 150, and also set a personal mark for RBI with 92.
Join the Daily Rewind - Join.
Classic Baseball Broadcasts - reconnect with baseball history.
Mentioned in this episode:
Classic Baseball Broadcasts
Classic Baseball Broadcasts
Mentioned in this episode:
New CBB Podcast Intro
Post Roll March 26
47 min - Elston Howard Greatest Thrill
February 23, 1929 in St. Louis, MO The Yankees’ first black player, Elston Howard was forced to play the outfield through much of his first five seasons because Yogi Berra was behind the plate. By 1960, Howard was the starting catcher and Berra was more often in the field. Howard was an exceptional defensive catcher; his .993 career fielding average is one of the highest ever, and he pioneered the use of a hinged catcher’s mitt that led to the modern one-handed catching techniques. He was also highly regarded as a handler of pitchers. He was named to the AL All-Star team nine consecutive years.
Join the Daily Rewind - Join.
Classic Baseball Broadcasts - reconnect with baseball history.
Show Notes & Featured Audio- Greatest Sports Thrill
- Elston Howard Tops on Sports
- Elston Howard over 100 Games
Mentioned in this episode:
Classic Baseball Broadcasts
Classic Baseball Broadcasts
Mentioned in this episode:
Post Roll March 26
New CBB Podcast Intro
19 min - Walter Johnson and The Silver Dollar - February 22
On February 22, 1936, Walter Johnson fires a silver dollar over the Rappahannock River, estimated to be a 386-foot toss. The spectacle—it took place in the backyard of Washington’s childhood home in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
I will tell you the story through Bobby King II research and words. Afterward, I will bring you something that was hard to find, the voice of Walter Johnson doing a radio broadcast for the Senators.
Join the Daily Rewind - Join.
Classic Baseball Broadcasts - reconnect with baseball history.
Show Notes & Featured Audio- Walter Johnson No Hitter
- walter Johnson audio vault
- Walter Johnson Broadcast
Mentioned in this episode:
Classic Baseball Broadcasts
Classic Baseball Broadcasts
Mentioned in this episode:
Post Roll March 26
New CBB Podcast Intro
10 min - Rollie Fingers
February 21, 1986, Rollie Fingers passes up an opportunity to return to the majors. Fingers is invited to spring training by the Cincinnati Reds, who ask him to shave off his handlebar mustache to comply with team rules. Fingers refuse to do so and decides to retire.
The future Hall of Fame reliever, who leaves the game with 341 saves, had been offered a contract by Cincinnati’s skipper Pete Rose after being released by the Brewers at the end of last season
Mentioned in this episode:
Classic Baseball Broadcasts
Classic Baseball Broadcasts
Mentioned in this episode:
Post Roll March 26
New CBB Podcast Intro
26 min - Billy Ball
February 20, 1980 — The Oakland Athletics sign Billy Martin to a two-year contract for $125,000 as manager. Martin, who was fired by the Yankees only four months earlier, will popularize the notion of “Billy Ball” with the A’s and lead the team to a split-season crown in 1981. He will compile a 215-218 record and destroy the young arms of several would be long term starting pitchers. His style also allowed Ricky Henderson to run free on the bases and set the all-time record for stolen bases in a season.
Join the Daily Rewind - Join.
Classic Baseball Broadcasts - reconnect with baseball history.
Billy Martin Audio Vault
Mentioned in this episode:
Classic Baseball Broadcasts
Classic Baseball Broadcasts
Mentioned in this episode:
New CBB Podcast Intro
Post Roll March 26
23 min
About Classic Baseball Daily Highlights
From the publisher's feed
We bring you back through baseball history and as much as possible let the players tell the stories. You can hear Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Walter Johnson and hundreds of others.