Retro Sports Radio: Classic Games from History

- Ernie Harwell

- Bob Harris

In this 2006 audio segment, Ernie Harwell, the legendary voice of baseball, shares his experiences from his early broadcasting career with the New York Giants and the Baltimore Orioles, prior to his iconic tenure with the Detroit Tigers. Known for his warm, eloquent delivery and deep connection with baseball fans, Harwell’s recounting of his time with these two teams offers a rare insight into the formative years of his illustrious career. The clip provides a glimpse into Major League Baseball during the mid-20th century, through the eyes of one of its most eloquent narrators. At this point, Harwell had been retired, yet his narratives and memories continued to resonate with a sense of timelessness and passion for the game.

Reflecting on the period before he became synonymous with Detroit baseball, Harwell discusses the distinct atmospheres, key players, and memorable games associated with the Giants and Orioles. His tenure with these teams laid the foundation for a broadcasting career that would endear him to millions of fans and leave an indelible mark on the sport. This segment is not just a trip down memory lane but a masterclass in the history and evolution of baseball broadcasting. It showcases the early stages of a career that would profoundly influence how the sport was experienced by fans around the world.

#ErnieHarwell #BaseballHistory #NewYorkGiants #BaltimoreOrioles #SportsBroadcasting

- 1979 MLB Standings

- Saturday, May 26, 1979

- Start Time: 7:39 p.m. Local

- Attendance: 20,512

- Venue: County Stadium

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- Radio Announcers

- Merle Harmon

- Bob Uecker

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- Starting Lineups

- 1979 Oakland Athletics

- 1 - CF - Dwayne Murphy

- 2 - RF - Larry Murray

- 3 - DH - Mitchell Page

- 4 - 1B - Jeff Newman

- 5 - 3B - Wayne Gross

- 6 - LF - Glenn Burke

- 7 - C - Jim Essian

- 8 - SS - Mario Guerrero

- 9 - 2B - Mike Edwards

- - P - Rick Langford

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- 1979 Milwaukee Brewers

- 1 - 2B - Jim Gantner

- 2 - SS - Robin Yount

- 3 - 1B - Cecil Cooper

- 4 - DH - Dick Davis

- 5 - LF - Ben Oglivie

- 6 - RF - Sixto Lezcano

- 7 - 3B - Sal Bando

- 8 - CF - Gorman Thomas

- 9 - C - Charlie Moore

- - P - Jim Slaton

- 1969 MLB Standings

- Sunday, May 11, 1969

- Start Time: 1:15 p.m. Local

- Attendance: 18,572

- Venue: Wrigley Field

- Radio Announcers

- Russ Hodges

- Bill Thompson

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- Starting Lineups

- 1969 San Francisco Giants

- 1 - CF - Bobby Bonds

- 2 - 3B - Bobby Etheridge

- 3 - 1B - Jim Davenport

- 4 - LF - Ken Henderson

- 5 - C - Jack Hiatt

- 6 - RF - Bob Burda

- 7 - 2B - Don Mason

- 8 - SS - Hal Lanier

- 9 - P - Ray Sadecki

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- 1969 Chicago Cubs

- 1 - SS - Don Kessinger

- 2 - 2B - Glenn Beckert

- 3 - LF - Billy Williams

- 4 - 3B - Ron Santo

- 5 - 1B - Ernie Banks

- 6 - C - Randy Hundley

- 7 - RF - Jim Hickman

- 8 - CF - Adolfo Phillips

- 9 - P - Ken Holtzman

- 1957 MLB Standings

- Thursday, May 30, 1957

- Start Time: 1:07 p.m. Local

- Venue: Forbes Field

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- Radio Announcers

- Vin Scully

- Jerry Doggett

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- Managers

- Walter Alston

- Bobby Bragan

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- Starting Lineups

- 1957 Brooklyn Dodgers

- 1 - 2B - Jim Gilliam

- 2 - LF - Gino Cimoli

- 3 - CF - Duke Snider

- 4 - RF - Carl Furillo

- 5 - 1B - Gil Hodges

- 6 - C - Roy Campanella

- 7 - SS - Pee Wee Reese

- 8 - 3B - Don Zimmer

- 9 - P - Sal Maglie

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- 1957 Pittsburgh Pirates

- 1 - 2B - Bill Mazeroski

- 2 - 1B - Dee Fondy

- 3 - RF - Roberto Clemente

- 4 - LF - Frank Thomas

- 5 - SS - Gene Baker

- 6 - 3B - Gene Freese

- 7 - CF - Bill Virdon

- 8 - C - Hank Foiles

- 9 - P - Vern Law

- Don Drysdale

- Dazzy Vance

In this 1975 audio clip, baseball legend Don Drysdale reflects on the early career of another baseball giant, Dazzy Vance, focusing particularly on Vance's first game. Drysdale, an accomplished pitcher in his own right, brings a unique perspective, having observed and learned from the previous generations of players. By 1975, Drysdale had been retired for several years, ending a distinguished career that saw him as a key figure in the Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching staff. In contrast, Dazzy Vance's prime years were with the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1920s and early 1930s, a time when he was known for his exceptional fastball and striking out capabilities, leading the National League in strikeouts for seven consecutive years.The overview provided by Drysdale offers insights into the challenges and achievements that marked Vance’s debut in Major League Baseball. While Vance struggled in his early years, he eventually found his rhythm, becoming one of the most feared pitchers of his era. Drysdale's recollections serve as a bridge between different baseball eras, providing listeners with a rare glimpse into the early days of the sport through the lens of those who lived it. This audio clip not only celebrates the achievements of two great pitchers but also enriches our understanding of baseball's evolving landscape over the decades.#DonDrysdale #DazzyVance #BaseballHistory #1975Baseball #PitchingLegends

- 1972 MLB Standings

- Wednesday, May 10, 1972

- Attendance: 11,031

- Venue: Parc Jarry

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- Radio Announcers

- Lon Simmons

- Bill Thompson

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- Managers

- Charlie Fox

- Gene Mauch

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- Starting Lineups

- 1972 San Francisco Giants

- 1 - SS - Chris Speier

- 2 - 2B - Tito Fuentes

- 3 - RF - Bobby Bonds

- 4 - 1B - Dave Kingman

- 5 - CF - Ken Henderson

- 6 - 3B - Al Gallagher

- 7 - LF - Garry Maddox

- 8 - C - Dave Rader

- 9 - P - Sam McDowell

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- 1972 Montreal Expos

- 1 - 2B - Ron Hunt

- 2 - 1B - Mike Jorgensen

- 3 - RF - Clyde Mashore

- 4 - 3B - Bob Bailey

- 5 - LF - Ken Singleton

- 6 - CF - Ron Woods

- 7 - C - John Boccabella

- 8 - SS - Bobby Wine

- 9 - P - Bill Stoneman

- Jackie Robinson

In a 1960 radio speech, Jackie Robinson, an iconic figure in baseball and civil rights, shares his experiences and strategies on stealing home, a move he famously executed with skill and daring throughout his career. Given the context, Robinson likely offers insights into the technical and psychological aspects of this bold play, reflecting on its significance in his career and baseball at large.

#JackieRobinson #BaseballStrategy #StealingHome #1960Radio #MLBLegends

- 1973 NFL Standings

- Sunday Dec 16, 1973

- Start Time: 1:00pm

- Stadium: Shea Stadium

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- Radio Announcers

- Marty Glickman

- Larry Grantham

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- Head Coaches

- Lou Saban

- Weeb Ewbank

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- Top Players

- 1973 Buffalo Bills

- RB - O.J. Simpson

- RCB - Dwight Harrison

- RDE - Earl Edwards

- LDE - Walt Patulski

- LCB - Robert James

- RG - Joe DeLamielleure

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- 1973 New York Jets

- QB - Al Woodall

- RB - Emerson Boozer

- WR - Jerome Barkum

- TE - Rich Caster

- FB - John Riggins

- LCB - Delles Howell

- LLB - Ralph Baker

- RDE - Mark Lomas

- RT - Winston Hill

- 1961 MLB Standings

- Tuesday, May 30, 1961

- Attendance: 19,592

- Venue: Fenway Park

- Radio Announcers

- Bob Delaney

- Phil Rizzuto

- Mel Allen

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- Starting Lineups

- 1961 New York Yankees

- 1 - 3B - Clete Boyer

- 2 - SS - Tony Kubek

- 3 - RF - Roger Maris

- 4 - CF - Mickey Mantle

- 5 - LF - Yogi Berra

- 6 - 1B - Bill Skowron

- 7 - C - Johnny Blanchard

- 8 - 2B - Bobby Richardson

- 9 - P - Ralph Terry

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- 1961 Boston Red Sox

- 1 - 2B - Chuck Schilling

- 2 - CF - Gary Geiger

- 3 - 1B - Vic Wertz

- 4 - RF - Jackie Jensen

- 5 - 3B - Frank Malzone

- 6 - C - Jim Pagliaroni

- 7 - LF - Carroll Hardy

- 8 - SS - Don Buddin

- 9 - P - Gene Conley

- 1971 NHL Standings

- May 18, 1971

- Stanley Cup Final Game 7

- Arena: Chicago Stadium

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- Radio Announcers

- Lloyd Pettit

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- Head Coaches

- Al MacNeil

- Billy Reay

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- Top Players

- 1971 Chicago Black Hawks

- C - Lou Angotti

- G - Gerry Desjardins

- L - Bobby Hull

- R - Cliff Koroll

- R - Chico Maki

- L - Dan Maloney

- R - Eric Nesterenko

- R - Jim Pappin

- L - Gerry Pinder

- D - Bill White

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- 1971 Montreal Canadiens

- C - Jean Beliveau

- R - Yvan Cournoyer

- D - Guy Lapointe

- L - Jacques Lemaire

- L - Frank Mahovlich

- C - Pete Mahovlich

- R - Mickey Redmond

- C - Henri Richard

- L - Marc Tardif