December 5th, 1937-June 22nd, 1956

The Bill Stern Colgate Sports newsreel from Hollywood was a radio show on the NBC radio network, sponsored by Colgate Shave Cream and hosted by sportscaster Bill Stern. A series of fifteen-minute interviews with notable public figures from the sports and entertainment industries. 

Today's topic: Ellery Queen.                         

December 5th, 1937-June 22nd, 1956

The Bill Stern Colgate Sports newsreel from Hollywood was a radio show on the NBC radio network, sponsored by Colgate Shave Cream and hosted by sportscaster Bill Stern. A series of fifteen-minute interviews with notable public figures from the sports and entertainment industries. 

Guest: Frank Sinatra                                                                                            

December 5th, 1937-June 22nd, 1956

The Bill Stern Colgate Sports newsreel from Hollywood was a radio show on the NBC radio network, sponsored by Colgate Shave Cream and hosted by sportscaster Bill Stern. A series of fifteen-minute interviews with notable public figures from the sports and entertainment industries. 

Guest: Henny Youngman                                                                                               

December 5th, 1937-June 22nd, 1956

The Bill Stern Colgate Sports newsreel from Hollywood was a radio show on the NBC radio network, sponsored by Colgate Shave Cream and hosted by sportscaster Bill Stern. A series of fifteen-minute interviews with notable public figures from the sports and entertainment industries. 

Guest: Brace Beemer who portrayed The Lone Ranger on radio.                                   

December 5th, 1937-June 22nd, 1956

The Bill Stern Colgate Sports newsreel from Hollywood was a radio show on the NBC radio network, sponsored by Colgate Shave Cream and hosted by sportscaster Bill Stern. A series of fifteen-minute interviews with notable public figures from the sports and entertainment industries. 

Guest: Sonja Henie                                                                                    

December 5th, 1937-June 22nd, 1956

The Bill Stern Colgate Sports newsreel from Hollywood was a radio show on the NBC radio network, sponsored by Colgate Shave Cream and hosted by sportscaster Bill Stern. A series of fifteen-minute interviews with notable public figures from the sports and entertainment industries. 

Guest: Eddie (Rochester) Anderson, Jack Benny Show.                                                                        

December 5th, 1937-June 22nd, 1956

The Bill Stern Colgate Sports newsreel from Hollywood was a radio show on the NBC radio network, sponsored by Colgate Shave Cream and hosted by sportscaster Bill Stern. A series of fifteen-minute interviews with notable public figures from the sports and entertainment industries. 

Guest: Orson Welles                                                                                                                                     

December 5th, 1937-June 22nd, 1956

The Bill Stern Colgate Sports newsreel from Hollywood was a radio show on the NBC radio network, sponsored by Colgate Shave Cream and hosted by sportscaster Bill Stern. A series of fifteen-minute interviews with notable public figures from the sports and entertainment industries. 

Annual Christmas Show                                                                                                                                            

December 5th, 1937-June 22nd, 1956

The Bill Stern Colgate Sports newsreel from Hollywood was a radio show on the NBC radio network, sponsored by Colgate Shave Cream and hosted by sportscaster Bill Stern. A series of fifteen-minute interviews with notable public figures from the sports and entertainment industries. 

Guest: Frank Leahy                                                                                                                                                     

December 5th, 1937-June 22nd, 1956

The Bill Stern Colgate Sports newsreel from Hollywood was a radio show on the NBC radio network, sponsored by Colgate Shave Cream and hosted by sportscaster Bill Stern. A series of fifteen-minute interviews with notable public figures from the sports and entertainment industries. 

Guest: Former heavyweight champion James Braddock.                                                                                                                                                              

December 5th, 1937-June 22nd, 1956

The Bill Stern Colgate Sports newsreel from Hollywood was a radio show on the NBC radio network, sponsored by Colgate Shave Cream and hosted by sportscaster Bill Stern. A series of fifteen-minute interviews with notable public figures from the sports and entertainment industries. 

Guest: William Powell subbing for Bill Stern.                                                                         

December 5th, 1937-June 22nd, 1956

The Bill Stern Colgate Sports newsreel from Hollywood was a radio show on the NBC radio network, sponsored by Colgate Shave Cream and hosted by sportscaster Bill Stern. A series of fifteen-minute interviews with notable public figures from the sports and entertainment industries. 

Guest: Doak Walker (football player)                                                                                                       

December 5th, 1937-June 22nd, 1956

The Bill Stern Colgate Sports newsreel from Hollywood was a radio show on the NBC radio network, sponsored by Colgate Shave Cream and hosted by sportscaster Bill Stern. A series of fifteen-minute interviews with notable public figures from the sports and entertainment industries. 

Guest: The Four Horsemen                                                                                                                  

December 5th, 1937-June 22nd, 1956

The Bill Stern Colgate Sports newsreel from Hollywood was a radio show on the NBC radio network, sponsored by Colgate Shave Cream and hosted by sportscaster Bill Stern. A series of fifteen-minute interviews with notable public figures from the sports and entertainment industries. 

Guest: George Raft                                                                                                                           

December 5th, 1937-June 22nd, 1956

The Bill Stern Colgate Sports newsreel from Hollywood was a radio show on the NBC radio network, sponsored by Colgate Shave Cream and hosted by sportscaster Bill Stern. A series of fifteen-minute interviews with notable public figures from the sports and entertainment industries. 

Today: Boris Karloff                                       

Joe Louis meets Ezzard Charles for the heavyweight boxing  championship of the world. Charles wins a unanimous fifteen round decision becoming the only man to go the full fifteen rounds with Louis and win.                      

The Liberty Network, WCFL, Chicago aircheck. 
The National League Championship game number three,  that included the famous game-ending home run by Bobby Thompson ("The Shot Heard Round the World"). 

This radio broadcast is actually a re-creation, using data about the game sent in by wire. The announcer is Gordon McLendon, who owned the Liberty Network. 

                    

   
   Recorded coverage beginning in the last of the ninth inning, with the New York Giants Whitey Lockman at bat; the score 4 to 2 Brooklyn. Announcer Russ Hodges calls the play by play, as Bobby Thomson hits a homerun ("The Shot heard Round the World"), winning the best two out of three playoff series (the FIRST nationally televised baseball series ever broadcast, coast to coast). 

Wrap up of the game is heard by Bob Prince (baseball announcer for the Pittsburgh Pirates 1948-1975), who attended the game and sat along side best friend Russ Hodges in the booth. 

Post game clubhouse (New York Giants) interviews begin with Steve Ellis, Ernie Harwell and Russ Hodges behind the mike. Those interviewed, in a emotional celeritous Giant clubhouse, are Herman Franks, Alvin Dark, Larry Jansen, Eddie Stanky, Charlie Dressen, Ford Frick, Horace Stoneham, Bill Rigney, Hank Sims, Walter O'Malley, Bobby Thomson, Charley Finney, Jim Hearn, Eddie Bracket, Art Flynn, Leo Durocher, Chris Durocher (son), Willie Mays, Whitey Lockman, Sal Maglie, Monte Irvin Paul Richards, Duke Snider, Roy Campanella, Sheldon Jones and Willard Marshall.   

NOTE:
 In addition to NBC's TV crew, six radio networks set up shop in the press box attached to the underside of the upper deck.

•	Russ Hodges did the Giants' broadcast solo because NBC hired his partner, Ernie Harwell, to handle their telecast. Hodges's friend Bob Prince, the Pirates' announcer, sat next to him as a guest, and filled in for Hodges and Harwell in the celebratory New York Giant’s locker room after the game ended with a wrap up summary prior to the beginning of the many interviews that would follow and captured on audio.

•	Red Barber and Connie Desmond would, as usual, call the game for the Dodgers (WMGM).

•	The Liberty Broadcasting Network, which recreated most of its baseball and football broadcasts from its studio in Dallas, sent "The Old Scotsman" Gordon McLendon to call the game live. His broadcast is the only one that survives as complete, on audio tape.

•	Al Helfer reported the action on the Mutual Broadcasting System, largest in the nation.

•	Harry Caray of the Cardinals broadcast the game for a group of Midwest stations.

•	Buck Canel and Felo Ramirez did the Spanish broadcast for Latin America.

Russ Hodges:  “The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! Bobby Thomson hits into the lower deck of the left-field The Giants win the pennant! And they’re going crazy! They are going crazy! Oh-oh!”

 “Everybody remembers it now,” said Bobby Thomson. “But you have to understand the feeling between those teams. I didn’t think of the pennant — only that we beat the Dodgers.” 

Hodges: “I don’t believe it! I do not believe it! Bobby Thomson hit a line drive into the lower deck of the leftfield stands, and the whole place is going crazy! The Giants Horace Stoneham is now a winner. The Giants won it by a score of 5 to 4, and they’re picking Bobby Thomson up and carrying him off the field!”

NOTE:
Before videotape (1956/1957), to reproduce a television broadcasts, as it aired live, a film camera had to film (usually on black & white 16mm Kodak reversal film stock) a TV screen to monitor and record a copy of a broadcast, a process called kinescoping. “Kinescopes were fuzzy and extremely bulky, a costly to accomplish, so the networks of the 1950s saved almost nothing. Few professionals and lay persons even had a radio reel-to-reel recorder (sold commercially only a few years before) which were hard to carry around, expensive to purchase as well as the cost incurred to purchase audio tape 1/4" reels, so the average person didn’t have one. 
However, In Brooklyn, a restaurant waiter Laurence Goldberg did own one. Goldberg was a New York Giant fan from the time he was 8 years old. Having to leave for work in Manhattan, he instructed his mother, Sylvia, who knew little about baseball, to hit the “record” button in the bottom of the ninth which she did, with one out and Whitey Lockman at bat, the score now 4 to 2 Brooklyn.
Lockman doubles. The Giants now have men on second and third base. Bobby Thomson comes to the plate, and the rest is history!

The next day, Larry Goldberg wrote a letter to Russ Hodges about his tape recording, which was not recorded my WMCA radio, or it turns out to be by anyone else (similar to the scenario of Phil Gries' solo home audio tape recording of Don Pardo announcing, over NBC TV, the first bulletins of the JFK assassination, eight years later). Russ Hodges sent Goldberg $10 to use his borrowed copy to record a 1951 Christmas gift for friends. During the fall of 1952 sponsor Chesterfield cigarettes released a record of “the most exciting moment in baseball history, including that famous Bobby Thomson homerun.”

NOTE:
The National Recording Registry chose announcer Russ Hodges’ call of the 1951 National League tiebreaker between the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers for inclusion in their archive of iconic American sounds.
Courtesy National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

Why so memorable: 
Russ Hodges’ “The Shot Heard ’Round the World?” 

At the time, Dodgers-Giants forged sport’s greatest rivalry, yearly playing 22 games against each other, radio, and TV broadcasting through The City. America was the world’s post-war colossus, perhaps baseball never meaning more. What made the moment wonderwork was the Giants announcer’s call.
On August 13, Brooklyn led the National League by 13 and 1/2 games. By September 20 the Giants trailed by 6 with 7 left. The Dodgers fell behind, 6-1, rallying to win, 9-8, in 14 innings. Next day the best-of-three NL playoff began: “a world,” said Russ, “focused on our rivalry.” Even the Voice of the American League Yankees was transfixed. “Think of it,” said Voice Mel Allen. “Three New York teams out of the big leagues’ 16 remain. One’s already in the Series [his], the other two tied.” For years a red-blooded American could recite the script by rote. It is easy to see why.

The NL playoff became the then most widely aired event in radio and TV history. Seven networks, five of them radio, did at least one game: the Mutual and Liberty Broadcasting system with announcer Gordon McClendon, Dodgers’ radio WMGM and Brooklyn Dodgers’ Re-created Network(s); Giants’ WMCA Radio; and CBS TV—the latter airing the first coast-to-coast network sports telecast for game one of the playoffs (October 1st), with Red Barber doing the play by play. With the playoff series moving the following day to the Giants’ home park, the Polo Grounds, NBC TV moved in to pick up the rights, negotiating directly with WPIX, New York, which had carried the Giant’s home schedule all year. CBS TV held on to westbound relay until 3 pm and NBC broadcast the game from 3:00pm to conclusion. It was necessary for the two networks to swap time each day to permit their carrying the full game which started at 1:30pm.  

On October 3, 1951 Ernie Harwell did play by play on NBC TV which to this day has never been archived in any manner. 
 
Only four years earlier Americans had owned 17,000 TV sets v. 58 million radios. By 1951 video had become an irresistible object. Radio was the immovable object, some feeling TV cursory. Such a schism towered as Russ and Ernie “tossed a coin [about a possible Game Three],” Harwell laughed. When Ernie got TV, he joked, “I felt sympathy for ‘Ole’ Russ. All these radio networks and I was gonna’ be on TV, and I thought that I had the plum assignment.” New York won the opener, 3-1. Next day changed place (Polo Grounds) and outcome (Dodgers win 10-0). His plum then spoiled.
The night before the final, Hodges stayed awake gargling. Worse, to test his voice, he kept talking into a microphone at home, hurting his throat. Next day, at 3:48 P.M., Ralph Branca threw a two-on one-out ninth-inning 0 & 1 pitch with Brooklyn up, 4-2. 

“There’s a long drive!” WMCA’s Russ began. “It’s going to be, I believe! … The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! Bobby Thomson hits into the lower deck of the leftfield stands! The Giants win the pennant! And they’re going crazy! They are going crazy! Oh-oh! The Giants . . . have won it by a score of 5 to 4, and they’re picking Bobby Thomson up and carrying him off the field. I don’t believe it! I don’t believe it! I do not believe it. Bobby Thomson hit a line drive into the lower deck of the leftfield stands, and the whole place is going crazy!”

NOTE: This broadcast moment is one of the greatest broadcasts ever aired on radio or television. And That's the Way it Was, October 3rd, 1951. 

This remastered 34-minute retrospective was remastered by Phil Gries. It is the most complete audio extant and available representing this radio broadcast. 
                                                                                    

  
The 1951 World Series matched the two-time defending champion New York Yankees against the New York Giants, who had won the National League pennant in a thrilling three-game playoff with the Brooklyn Dodgers on the legendary home run by Bobby Thomson (the Shot Heard 'Round the World).

In the Series, the Yankees showed some power of their own, including Gil McDougald's grand slam home run in Game 5, at the Polo Grounds. The Yankees won the Series in six games, for their third straight title and 14th overall. This would be the last World Series for Joe DiMaggio, who retired afterward, and the first for rookies Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle.

This was the last Subway Series the Giants played in. Both teams would meet again eleven years later after the Giants relocated to San Francisco. They have not played a World Series against each other since. This was the first World Series announced by Bob Sheppard, who was in his first year as Yankee Stadium's public address announcer. It was also the first World Series to be televised exclusively by one network (NBC) as well as the first to be televised nationwide, as coaxial cable had recently linked both coasts.

 Rare highlights of game one, five, and six of the 1951 World Series broadcast on the Mutual Broadcasting System radio network.
 
Game One - The opening with commentator Al Helfer who for the first seven minutes mentions multiple times yesterday's historic Bobby Thomson winning home run against the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Helfer states the opening line-up for both teams. 

Mel Allen is heard doing the play-by-play during an historic first inning which includes Monte Irvin's steal of home, only the fourth time successfully executed in World Series history, last done by Bob Meusel thirty years ago in 1921. This game is notable for rookie Yankee Mickey Mantle who is lead-off hitter for the New York Yankees. 
We hear highlights during the bottom of the Yankee second inning which  includes Gil McDougald's first World Series hit (double).
Al Helfer does the play-by-play in the top of the Giant sixth inning which includes a home run by Alvin Dark and Monte Irvin's fourth consecutive hit in the game. 

Highlights of game five. Al Helfer states the opening line-ups for both teams. Mel Allen does the play-by-play for the top of the Yankees' first inning, and top of the Yankees' third inning which includes Gil McDougald hitting only the third Grand Slam in World Series history. Also heard is Phil Rizzuto hitting a home run in the top of the fourth inning and Joe DiMaggio doubling in the top of the seventh inning, playing the next to last game in his career (1936-1951). 
Mel Allen recaps game five's 13 to 1 Yankee massacre of the 1951 World Series.

Game six opening with Mel Allen stating the line-ups for both teams. 
Al Helfer does the play-by-play for the bottom of the Yankee first inning. Brief play-by-play in the Giant top of the fifth inning with Willie Mays singling. Mel Allen calls the ninth inning which is a nail bitter as the New York Giants load the bases with no outs, trailing 4 to 1. After the Giants close within one run with the potential tying run on second base, a racing Hank Bauer makes a sensational sliding catch by pinch hitter Sal Yvars to end the game giving the New York Yankees their fourteenth World Championship.

The 1951 season has been referred to as "The Season of Change" as it witnessed the departure of several of the games veteran superstars and the introduction of a new generation of talent. Several new rookies on the scene including a young 19-year-old switch hitter named Mickey Mantle and a phenomenal 20-year-old outfielder named Willie Mays begin their historic careers.

NOTE: These rare sound tracks were discovered at WOR radio station in the 1960's. They were on multiple 16" Electronic Transmission discs. Each side of one disc contained 15 minutes of audio. This 95-minute compilation of broadcast audio highlights of the 1951 World Series is all that exists of this classic World Series broadcast. 
                                                                                                                                                                       

The World Series, GAME ONE, September 28, 1955, at Yankee Stadium. 

The Brooklyn Dodgers vs New York Yankees. 
This is the NBC TV broadcast with Vin Scully calling the play by play.
 
Top of the eighth inning, Carl Furillo singles to center field. 
Gil Hodges flies out to left field. 
Jackie Robinson gets on base when his ground ball goes through the legs of New York Yankee third baseman, Gil McDougald...Furillo advancing to third base and Jackie winding up at second base. Don Zimmer flies out to center field allowing Furillo to tag up from third base making the score now 6 to 4, in favor of the New York Yankees. Robinson tags up from second base and advances to third base. Frank Kellert pinch hits for Brooklyn Dodger pitcher reliever, Don Bessent. On the second pitch by Whitey Ford, Jackie Robinson steals home, only the fifth player to accomplish this feat in World Series history, and the last to do so. 

NOTE: Not included in this air check is Kellert's single, after Robinson steals home. We pick up Vin Scully's play by play with Casey Stengel leaving in Whitey Ford to continue pitching and Don Hoak pinch running for Kellert, whose single is missing from this recording. Jim "Junior" Gilliam pops out to third base ending the inning. Mel Allen is heard doing a Gillette commercial with Casey Stengel.

Brooklyn Dodger Line-Up as described in 
www.baseball-reference.com

Jim Gilliam LF
Pee Wee Reese SS
Duke Snider CF
Roy Campanella C
Carl Furillo RF
Gil Hodges 1B
Jackie Robinson 3B
Don Zimmer 2B
Don Newcombe P
Don Bessent P
Clem Labine P
Frank Kellert PH
Don Hoak PR

NOTE: In a phone conversation with Vin Scully (October 19, 2021), Phil Gries plays the steal of home by Jackie Robinson audio track to which Scully states that his "trademark was to call a play and then shut up." 

When Jackie Robinson stole home Scully stated, "Robinson is dancing off third, shaking up the crowd. Robbie is coming to the plate. The throw to Berra. He steals it!" 

Only the roar of the crowd can be heard for over a minute afterwards, with no additional commentary from the greatest baseball announcer of all time, Vin Scully, as agreed upon by most baseball journalist historians.

Angeles City Council on Friday officially renamed Elysian Park Avenue after the revered announcer, Vin Scully, who's been the voice of the Dodgers for 67 years. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

By: Ed Sherman
September 14, 2016
   
There are many ways to measure the incredible longevity of Dodgers announcer Vin Scully. Given my background, I will go with the sportswriter perspective.

When Scully made his debut in 1950, Grantland Rice, the most influential sportswriter of all time, was writing columns about Jackie Robinson for a Dodgers teams located in Brooklyn.

Now that is some longevity.

Well, it turns out old Vin couldn’t go on forever. After 67 years in the booth, he finally is hanging up the microphone at the end of the Dodgers season.

It truly has been an epic run for Scully, and the fanfare will be unprecedented for his final game broadcasts. In the vast pantheon of great announcers in baseball history, there is no debate about No. 1.

“He’s so much greater than anyone who has ever done this,” Cubs radio announcer Pat Hughes told me for a Chicago Tribune column on Scully. “It’s not even close. It’s an embarrassment of riches. He’s the best, he’s done it the longest and he’s been with one franchise. It’s amazing all of this can be said about one man.”

Scully will leave behind numerous lessons for current and prospective members of the media. First and foremost is his emphasis on preparation. Hughes and Cubs TV announcer Len Kasper each made a point of marveling at how much research Scully does for a broadcast. 

Yet something Kasper said really gets to the essence of what makes Scully so great.

“It’s so striking that what he says, and the words he uses, plays as well on paper as it does on a broadcast,” Kasper said. “He’s like a great author. His pen is his voice.”
                                                                                                                                                                                 

Mel Allen does the play-By-Play of game 4 of the 1956 World Series between the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Yankees from Yankee Stadium in New York City. Mickey Mantle's seventh-inning home run and the Dodgers at-bat in the top of the ninth inning are heard. This game took place just one day before Don Larsen's perfect game.                                                   

Sportscaster Bill Hickey reports on the fifth game of the 1956 World Series in which Don Larsen pitched a perfect game and reports on Jackie Robinson receiving an offer to manage the  Montreal Royals Minor League baseball team for $25,000.                                                                

The 1956 heavyweight boxing championship fight between Floyd Patterson and Archie Moore. Don Dunphy gives the blow-by-blow report of rounds 1 and 5 with commentary by Jimmy Powers. Patterson knocks out Moore in round 5. Patterson and Moore are interviewed after the fight with commentary by Winn Elliott.                                                   

Radio broadcast opens with Jack Drees inviting audience to stay tuned to a great Middleweight Championship Boxing Match from Madison Square Garden in New York. 1,700 fans attend.
Introductions by ring announcer, Johnny Addie is heard. Fighters in attendance enter the ring to applause. They include, Carmen Basillio, Tony Anthony, Gaspar Ortega, and Tiger Jones.
Addie explains rules at center of the ring to Robinson and Fullmer.

NOTE:
Steve Ellis gives the blow-by-blow report from ringside. The referee is Ruby Goldstein.

Only the fifteenth round is recorded of this Middleweight Championship of the world between Sugar Ray Robinson and Gene Fullmer. Steve Ellis gives the blow-by-blow report from ringside. The referee is Ruby Goldstein.
The 15th round is heard (a few edits exist in this final round recording, but not significant). 
Gene Fullmer wins by decision, announced by Johnny Addie. 

Interviews with Robinson and Goldstein occur after the fight. 

NOTE 2:
Interestingly, this fight was blacked out in New York. No television broadcasting was permitted. It did air on Connecticut TV Channel 8 WNHC out of New Haven. From New York at 10pm SPORTS PARADE aired with Les Keiter kept viewers posted with spot reports interspersed with general sports films.
However, ABC channel 7 in New York did allow viewers to see the final decision after the end of the 15th round. 

NOTE 3:
This match was originally scheduled to occur on  December 12, 1956, but was postponed.                                                  

Baseball personalities on this television special ushering in the start of the 1957 baseball season include Johnny Antonelli of the New York Giants, Don Larsen, Bob Friend, Billy Pierce, Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Joe DiMaggio, Mel Allen, and Ed Gardner. Mel Allen recreates Don Larsen's perfect game. Gene Kelly is the host. 
Highlights:
Gene talks to Don Larsen about his no windup pitching approach.
Also, Gene in conversation with Billy Pierce, Johnny Antonelli, and Bib Friend. Kelly introduces Ed Gardner...comedy routine about Baseball's greatest pitchers.  

In a brief segment,  Mel Allen states his dream outfield. Gene Kelly talks with Stan Musial, who states that his favorite ball player was Mel Ott, Ted Williams, chairman of the Jimmy Fund  states that his favorite baseball player was Joe DiMaggio, and DiMaggio's favorite ball player was Frank Lefty Odeul. Gene Kelly mentions that his favorite Baseball Player of all time was Babe Ruth. 

NOTE: An almost complete air check of this program is archived in the ATA collection.                                                 

Baseball personalities on this television special ushering in the start of the 1957 baseball season include Johnny Antonelli of the New York Giants, Don Larsen, Bob Friend, Billy Pierce, Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Joe DiMaggio, Mel Allen, Ernie Banks, George Kell, Harvey Kuenn, Ted Kluszewski, Ed Matthews, 
Don Newcombe, Pee Wee Reese, Robin Roberts, Herb Score, Harry (Suitcase) Simpson, Eddie Yost, and Happy Felton and his Knothole Gang. Mel Allen recreates Don Larsen's perfect game. Show Business guests include: comedians Ed "Archie" Gardner, Paul Winchell, Jerry Mahoney, Frank Fontaine, singers Tony Bennett, Pat Marshall, and Bill Hayes, Singer-comedienne Janis Paige, actors Robert Alda and Robert Strauss. Also participating are baseball commissioner Ford Frick, sportscaster Mel Allen, and baseball Hall Of Fame members Joe DiMaggio, Pie Traynor, Lefty Grove, and Gabby Hartnett. Gene Kelly is the host. 

Highlights:
Gene talks to Don Larsen about his no windup pitching approach.
Also, Gene in conversation with Billy Pierce, Johnny Antonelli, and Bob Friend. Kelly introduces Ed Gardner...comedy routine about Baseball's greatest pitchers.  

In a brief segment,  Mel Allen states his dream outfield. Gene Kelly talks with Stan Musial, who states that his favorite ball player was Mel Ott, Ted Williams, chairman of the Jimmy Fund  states that his favorite baseball player was Joe DiMaggio, and DiMaggio's favorite ball player was Frank Lefty Odeul. Gene Kelly mentions that his favorite Baseball Player of all time was Babe Ruth. 

Other Highlights: 

"This Is The Year" Ensemble
1956 Most Valuable Players: Mickey Mantle, Don Newcombe
Sketch: "Rookie Of The Year" Robert Alda
Song: Janis Paige
World Series Film: Gene Kelly
Interview: Don Larsen, Gene Kelly
" Know-How" Kelly, Paige, Tony Bennett, Paul Winchell, Jerry Mahoney, Robert Alda
Knothole Gang- Happy Felton
Dugout Sketch- Paul Winchell, Jerry Mahoney
Song- Tony Bennett 
Pitchers Interview- Gene Kelly
"Two-top Gruskin" Ed Gardner, Robert Alda
Baseball Medley- Ensemble
Song- Pat Marshall
Dream Outfield- DiMaggio, Williams, Musial
Waite Hoyt's Tribute To Babe Ruth- Gene Kelly
Old-Timer's Film- Mel Allen
Rock-'n'Roll Number- Bill Hayes
Comedy Interview- Robert.Alda
Commissioner's Message: Ford Frick
Hall Of Fame Sequence- Gene Kelly
Finale- Ensemble 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

WEDNESDAY NIGHT FIGHTS brought to you by PABTS BLUE RIBBON BEER presents Middleweight boxing champion Gene Fullmer who defends his crown against Sugar Ray Robinson. Robinson knocks out Fullmer in round 5. The commentator is Steve Ellis 
After the fight, there's a short interview with Robinson and Joe Louis.
                         

Middleweight boxing champion Sugar Ray Robinson defends his title vs. Carmen Basilio in a fifteen round match at New York's Yankee Stadium. Basilio took the crown from Robinson on a close fifteen round decision. The fight opening plus rounds nine, eleven, and fifteen are heard. Basilio is interviewed after the fight.

The announcers are Winn Elliott and Don Dunphy.                                     

  The final New York Giant Baseball Game played in New York at the Polo Grounds by the New York Giant baseball team. 

The Giants moved into the Polo Grounds in 1891. After today's final game they will be leaving many memories, mourners and an empty baseball park behind. 

Radio came to the Giants in 1939. Television's first full season came in 1948. Steve Ellis called the shots that first TV season over the NBC network. In 1949 WPIX, with Russ Hodges and Al Helfer, at the mikes took over the telecasting, providing memorable play by play moments including those by Willie Mays and the most audacious New York Giant recording of them all, by Hodges, of the National League Winning home run by Bobby Thomson in 1951. 

In what is considered the only known WPIX TV video or audio opening of a regularly scheduled New York Giant game we hear the theme music and opening by broadcaster, in the booth, Jim Woods, who reminds the viewers that the ballgame is coming to them by Knickerbocker Beer and Pall Mall cigarettes. We hear George Levy New York Giant public address announcer naming today's line-up in the background.

Announcer, Jim Woods, states that manager Bill Rigney wants to pack the Giant line-up with as many 1954 New York Giant players as possible, including catcher Wes Westrum who hasn't started a game in quite some time.
 
NEW YORK GIANTS STARTING LINE-UP

1B - Danny O'Connell 
RF - Don Mueller
CF - Willie Mays
LF - Dusty Rhodes

3B - Bobby Thomson (traded by the Giants in 1954 and returning 
     for one more half season in 1957)

1B - Whitey Lockman
SS - Daryl Spencer
C -  Wes Westrum
P - Johnny Antonelli



After announcing the first lead off hitter for the Pittsburgh Pirates we segue to the bottom of the ninth inning, Giants losing 9 to 1. Bob Delaney does play by play. Don Meuller flies out. Willie Mays gets a resounding standing ovation (banging on the roof of the Giant dugout can be heard. Willie makes out ending his 1957 season with a .333 batting average. The final New York Giant out at the Polo Grounds is made by Dusty Rhodes. 

NOTE: In 2014 a version of this tape was presented in person by Phil Gries to the daughter of Dusty Rhodes and to a friend of Willie Mays, to be given to him. 

We hear announcer Russ Hodges, from the center field New York Giant clubhouse reminiscing about past Giant teams who played at the Polo Grounds (1942, 1944, 1946, 1951, 1954).
Giant fans surround him and chant "Stay team stay." 

Hodges interviews manager Bill Rigney from his New York Giant Clubhouse Office. He states that today is a sad day.
He discuses plans for managing the 1958 San Francisco Giants. 

Russ Hodges interviews former NY Giant players, including Hans Lobert who began his baseball career in 1903 playing for the Giants from 1915-1917, Red Murray who played with the Giants from 1909-1914, Sid Gordon who retired as a Giant during the middle of last season, Buddy Kerr great  short stop for the New York Giants over a period of six years during the 1940's, and Eddie Brannick who joined the New York Giant organization in 1905 as an office boy working his way up to Club Secretary / Office manager, remaining with the club for a total of 65 years. 

Russ Hodges becomes poetic reading a verse he has written about the departure of the New York Giants form New York. 

Russ Hodges and Bob Delaney sign off. 
THE END OF AN ERA
                                                                                                        

ATA #13222B is a six minute excerpt edited from the ATA #13222A TV Audio Air Check, outlined below.  It contains ONLY the ninth inning, as announced by Bob Delaney, which includes  a  rare retrospective  TV broadcast audio description of Willie Mays' last at bat, in the Polo Grounds, as a New York Giant.


ATA#13222A
The final New York Giant Baseball Game played in New York at the Polo Grounds by the New York Giant baseball team. 

The Giants moved into the Polo Grounds in 1891. After today's final game they will be leaving many memories, mourners and an empty baseball park behind. 

Radio came to the Giants in 1939. Television's first full season came in 1948. Steve Ellis called the shots that first TV season over the NBC network. In 1949 WPIX, with Russ Hodges and Al Helfer, at the mikes took over the telecasting, providing memorable play by play moments including those by Willie Mays and the most audacious New York Giant recording of them all, by Hodges, of the National League Winning home run by Bobby Thomson in 1951. 

In what is considered the only known WPIX TV video or audio opening of a regularly scheduled New York Giant game we hear the theme music and opening by broadcaster, in the booth, Jim Woods, who reminds the viewers that the ballgame is coming to them by Knickerbocker Beer and Pall Mall cigarettes. We hear George Levy New York Giant public address announcer naming today's line-up in the background.

Announcer, Jim Woods, states that manager Bill Rigney wants to pack the Giant line-up with as many 1954 New York Giant players as possible, including catcher Wes Westrum who hasn't started a game in quite some time.
 
NEW YORK GIANTS STARTING LINE-UP

1B - Danny O'Connell 
RF - Don Mueller
CF - Willie Mays
LF - Dusty Rhodes

3B - Bobby Thomson (traded by the Giants in 1954 and returning 
     for one more half season in 1957)

1B - Whitey Lockman
SS - Daryl Spencer
C -  Wes Westrum
P - Johnny Antonelli



After announcing the first lead off hitter for the Pittsburgh Pirates we segue to the bottom of the ninth inning, Giants losing 9 to 1. Bob Delaney does play by play. Don Meuller flies out. Willie Mays gets a resounding standing ovation (banging on the roof of the Giant dugout can be heard. Willie makes out ending his 1957 season with a .333 batting average. The final New York Giant out at the Polo Grounds is made by Dusty Rhodes. 

NOTE: In 2014 a version of this tape was presented in person by Phil Gries to the daughter of Dusty Rhodes and to a friend of Willie Mays, to be given to him. 

We hear announcer Russ Hodges, from the center field New York Giant clubhouse reminiscing about past Giant teams who played at the Polo Grounds (1942, 1944, 1946, 1951, 1954).
Giant fans surround him and chant "Stay team stay." 

Hodges interviews manager Bill Rigney from his New York Giant Clubhouse Office. He states that today is a sad day.
He discuses plans for managing the 1958 San Francisco Giants. 

Russ Hodges interviews former NY Giant players, including Hans Lobert who began his baseball career in 1903 playing for the Giants from 1915-1917, Red Murray who played with the Giants from 1909-1914, Sid Gordon who retired as a Giant during the middle of last season, Buddy Kerr great  short stop for the New York Giants over a period of six years during the 1940's, and Eddie Brannick who joined the New York Giant organization in 1905 as an office boy working his way up to Club Secretary / Office manager, remaining with the club for a total of 65 years. 

Russ Hodges becomes poetic reading a verse he has written about the departure of the New York Giants form New York. 

Russ Hodges and Bob Delaney sign off. 
THE END OF AN ERA
                                                                                                                                               

The final Brooklyn Dodger baseball game before the Brooklyn Dodgers were scheduled to leave for Los Angeles, California, for the 1958 season, departing Brooklyn after playing 45 years at Ebbets Field. This final Brooklyn Dodger baseball game is played on the road in Philadelphia Pennsylvania against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Broadcast on radio WOKO 1460. Vin Scully and Jerry Dogget call the play-by-play. Ironically, this memorable baseball game was not televised to home fans in Brooklyn as was the New York Giants final game at the Polo Grounds.

This game is notable also for the fact that it contains the last at bat of Brooklyn Dodger catcher great Roy Campanella who would suffer paralysis as a result of an automobile accident on January 28, 1958, ending his illustrious baseball career.  
 
                         Starting Lineups 

Brooklyn Dodgers

1   Jim Gilliam  2B
2   Gino Cimoli  CF
3   Carl Furillo RF
4   Gil Hodges   1B
5   Bob Kennedy  LF
6   Randy Jackson 3B
7   Don Zimmer   SS
8   Joe Pignatano C
9   Roger Craig   P
10  Sandy Koufax  P      
11  Roy Campanella PH

Philadelphia Phillies

1	Richie Ashburn	RF
2	Don Landrum	CF
3	Ed Bouchee	1B
4	Harry Anderson	LF
5	Willie Jones	3B
6	Solly Hemus	2B
7	Chico Fernandez	SS
8	Joe Lonnett	C
9	Seth Morehead	P

NOTE: This is a COMPLETE GAME, unlike radio broadcast versions that exists on the internet and /or housed in other museums or private collector's archives, which contain in their recordings missing counts related to player at bats. 

Phil Gries has processed the original recording as recorded off the air at the time of the original broadcast, correcting pitch, sound glitches, clicks, and equalization, resulting in overall improved sound quality.  
                                                                                                                           

Mel Allen broadcasts game 3 of the 1957 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Milwaukee Braves from County Stadium in Milwaukee. The top of the sixth inning is heard. Mickey Mantle receives a base on balls. Mantle at bat in the middle of the 7th inning and flies out.  
Also, a special NBC News announcement is heard stating that a Russian satellite named "Sputnik" would be passing over Washington, DC.                         

The final round of the First Annual World's Invitational Bowling Tournament from the Chicago Coliseum in Chicago, Illinois. Don Carter meets Tom Hennessey in the final round. Jimmy Powers reports. 

Host: Jimmy Powers.                           

Second half radio coverage of the 1959 NBA All-Star game. The West defeated the East 124-108. Elgin Baylor and Bob Pettit are co-MVPs for the West team.  

Announcers: Win Elliott and Don Dunphy.      

Jack Brickhouse calls the play-by-play in the ninth inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers win the 1959 World Series against the Chicago White Sox in Game 6. Final Score Dodgers 9, White Sox 3. 

A world series record for The Los Angeles Dodgers coming from seventh place in 1958, their first year in Los Angeles after moving from Brooklyn after the 1957 season, and winning a World Series the following year.  

Vin Scully interviews the victorious Los Angeles Dodgers from their clubhouse. He talks to Warren Giles, Bill Veeck, and Gil Hodges, who mentions that it took "umpteen" years to win a Brooklyn Dodger series, and it took only two years to do the same in Los Angeles.
Also at the mike with Vin Scully are  Duke Snider, Joe Cronin, Walter Alston, Charlie Neal, Roger Craig, Don Drysdale, Larry Sherry, and commissioner of baseball Ford Frick. Vin Scully signs off the air for the Gillette Safety Razor Blades sponsor with the Gillette theme music in the background. This was the last year a Gillette sign off was used for a World Series Television Broadcast.                                        

The Third Annual World's Invitational Bowling Tournament, telecast live from the Chicago Coliseum in Chicago, Illinois. Female bowler Slyvia Wene Martin bowled a perfect 300 game during this tournament, the second in her career.             

Live radio coverage of the 1959 National Football League Championship Game between the Eastern division champions the New York Giants and the Baltimore Colts, the champions of the Western division. The Colts defeated the Giants 31-16 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore for their second straight NFL title and their second straight title win over the Giants. Van Patrick calls the play-by-play.            

The second Ingemar Johansson vs. Floyd Patterson fight from the Polo Grounds is broadcast by WABC radio in New York City. Patterson regains the heavyweight championship from Johansson with a 5th round knockout. Pre-fight commentary by Howard Cosell,  and an interview with former heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano. An interview with Patterson following the fight. Les Keiter and Howard Cosell report the action.                                                              

Rematch with pre and post-fight interviews. Les Keiter calls the boxing match and Howard Cosell does the color commentary. Preceding the fight, Eddie Fisher sings the National Anthem.  Rocky Marciano also comments. There is an interview with Floyd Patterson's mother. Also, we hear Gabe Pressman interview both Ingemar Johansson and Floyd Patterson the day after the fight at a Press conference.                          

September 19, 1960-March 13, 1961

A half-hour sports series broadcast live from Legion Lanes in Hollywood.   Veteran sportscaster Chick Hearn handled the play by play, and Milton Berle added comedy bits between frames.  
26 broadcasts in the series.           

September 19th, 1960-March 13th,1961 (NBC)

Half-hour sports series starring Milton Berle. Bowlers would compete in two nine-frame matches and would earn a cash bonus for bowling six straight strikes. Sportscaster Chick Hearn would call the matches with Berle doing comedy between frames. The show lasted for twenty-six weeks before being canceled by NBC.                          

Live radio coverage of the 1960 NFL championship game between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles broadcast from Franklin Field in Philadelphia. The Eagles captured the NFL crown with a 17-13 win over the Packers. Eagles middle linebacker Chuck Bednarik tackled Packer fullback Jim Taylor on the Eagles ten-yard line on the final play of the game, saving the victory for Philadelphia. Jack Whittaker and Blaine Walsh call the play-by-play.

Please note: 5 1/2 minutes and the Eagles winning 4th quarter touchdown is missing.                          

Howard Cosell and Les Keiter are on hand to bring the third boxing match between Ingemar Johansson and Floyd Patterson from Miami Beach, Florida. Commentary from Rocky Marciano, Joe Louis, and Referee Arthur Mercante. At ringside, announcer Jack McCarthy is heard. Mickey Allen sings the National Anthem. Memorable first round with Patterson being knocked down twice and Johansson sent to the canvas once. Post-fight interviews with champ Floyd Patterson, manager Cus D'Amato, referee Billy Regan and Joe Louis. Hugh O'Brien is interviewed at ringside by Howard Cosell.                         

Radio broadcast of an exhibition game between the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins. The top of the fifth inning is heard with the Twins leading 1-0. Batters include Mickey Mantle, who singles, Yogi Berra grounds out, Elston Howard fouls out, and Moose Skowron grounds out. Phil Rizzuto calls the play by play. 

5 minute excerpt