Retro Sports Radio: Classic Games from History

Announcers

- Russ Hodges

- Lon Simmons

The 1962 Giants pennant came four years after the franchise's move west from New York, and represented a kind of echo of the 1951 Shot Heard 'Round the World season, right down to the format: San Francisco and the Los Angeles Dodgers finished the regular season tied, forcing a best-of-three playoff. The Giants trailed 4-2 entering the ninth inning of the deciding Game 3 at Dodger Stadium, then scored four runs to win the pennant — a comeback built on contributions from Willie Mays, then 31 and in...

- 1976 NFL Standings

- Saturday Dec 4, 1976

- Start Time: 1:00pm

- Stadium: Civic Center Busch Memorial Stadium

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- Radio Announcers

- Chuck Thompson

- Vince Bagli

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- Head Coaches

- Blanton Collier

- Wally Lemm

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- Top Players

- 1976 Baltimore Colts

- QB - Bert Jones

- RB - Lydell Mitchell

- WR - Glenn Doughty

- WR - Roger...

Announcers

- Joe Garagiola

Stan Musial's 1963 season was his 22nd and last with the St. Louis Cardinals, played at age 42. He had already passed 3,000 hits in 1958, becoming just the eighth player in major league history to do so, and by the start of 1963 sat within range of Honus Wagner's National League career hits record of 3,430. Musial finished the year with 3,630 hits, a mark that stood as the NL record until Pete Rose passed it in the 1970s, and it remains the franchise record for the Cardinals to this day.

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1969 marked the 100th anniversary of college football, dated from the first intercollegiate game between Rutgers and Princeton on November 6, 1869. The centennial season was marked with various commemorations — special patches and logos on uniforms, retrospective All-America team selections spanning the sport's history, and considerable media attention on the game's evolution from that first contest, played under rules closer to rugby, to the modern sport. The season itself produced one of the more famous single games in college football history: the November 1969 matchup between top-ranked Texas and second-ranked Arkansas, attended by President Nixon, who presented a plaque to the winning Texas te...

Announcers

- Jack Buck

- Lindsey Nelson

This is an unusual piece — not a real game at all, but a 1982 broadcast of a computer-simulated contest called The Greatest Baseball Game Never Played.

The premise: Apple Computer and The Sporting News simulated a game between the greatest players in American League history and the greatest in National League history, using custom software (built on an Apple III) that let two managers set lineups, call for substitutions, and choose in-game strategy, with the algorithm determining outcomes. Fans voted on the rosters vi...

Announcers

- Bob Costas

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By 1994, Mickey Mantle was nearly 25 years removed from his playing career, which had ended after the 1968 season. He'd spent much of the years since as a fixture at old-timers' events and memorabilia shows, and had also become increasingly public about his struggles with alcoholism — he would enter the Betty Ford Center in January 1994, the same year this interview appears to have taken place. Bob Costas, then in his late 30s and well established at NBC Sports as a baseball broadcaster, was known for a personal connection to...

Announcers

- Marty Brennaman

- Joe Nuxhall

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The 1976 Reds completed a second consecutive World Series title, sweeping the New York Yankees in four games after having swept the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLCS — the first team in the League Championship Series era to go through an entire postseason undefeated. The roster, known by then as the Big Red Machine, was built around Joe Morgan, who won his second straight NL MVP award that year, and Johnny Bench, already a two-time MVP himself from earlier in the decade. Pete Ro...

The 1981 Dodgers season was split into two halves by the players' strike that wiped out roughly two months of the schedule in June and July. Los Angeles won the National League West outright in the first half under manager Tom Lasorda, then qualified again as a division half-season winner, which meant an extra postseason round — the first National League Division Series — was added against the Houston Astros, who'd won the second half. The Dodgers took that series in five games. The season is also remembered as the year of Fernando Valenzuela, a 20-year-old left-hander who opened the year with eigh...

The Mayor's Trophy Game was a charity exhibition born out of civic pride and old-fashioned New York baseball rivalry — a way to let the city's teams settle bragging rights in a low-stakes summer game while funneling gate proceeds into sandlot baseball for city kids. It started in 1946 as a Yankees-Giants series for a trophy named after Mayor William O'Dwyer, with the Dodgers joining in occasionally, and it carried real stakes for fans even if teams often didn't send their best arms (rosters were frequently padded with Triple-A call-ups to spare the real staffs). The series died when the Giants an...

Announcers

- Jack Buck

- Harry Caray

The Cardinals' 1964 pennant race and World Series win, presented as a season-ending recap by the club's radio team of Harry Caray and Jack Buck. Caray had already been the voice of the Cardinals for close to two decades by 1964, having joined the broadcast in the mid-1940s; Buck, who would go on to call Cardinals baseball into the 2000s, was roughly a decade into that partnership. The pair narrate a collapse-and-recovery pennant race — the Cardinals trailed by as many as 13 games at midseason, then ca...

- 1969 MLB Standings

- Sunday, August 31, 1969

- Start Time: 1:00 p.m. Local

- Attendance: 19,357

- Venue: Dodger Stadium

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- Radio Announcers

- Vin Scully

- Jerry Doggett

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- Managers

- George Myatt

- Walt Alston

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- Starting Lineups

- 1969 Philadelphia Phillies

- 1 - SS - Terry Harmon

- 2 - CF - John Briggs

- 3 - 1B - Dick Allen

- 1978 MLB Standings

- Wednesday, August 16, 1978

- Start Time: 8:00 p.m. Local

- Attendance: 15,819

- Venue: Tiger Stadium

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- Radio Announcers

- Herb Score

- Joe Tate

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- Managers

- Jeff Torborg

- Ralph Houk

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- Starting Lineups

- 1978 Cleveland Indians

- 1 - CF - Rick Manning

- 2 - 3B - Buddy Bell

- 3 - LF - Johnny Grubb

- 1961 MLB Standings

- Sunday, June 18, 1961

- Attendance: 44,459

- Venue: Tiger Stadium

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- Radio Announcers

- Mel Allen

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- Managers

- Ralph Houk

- Bob Scheffing

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- Starting Lineups

- 1961 New York Yankees

- 1 - 2B - Bobby Richardson

- 2 - 3B - Clete Boyer

- 3 - RF - Roger Maris

- 4 - CF - Mickey Mantle

- 5...

Announcers

- Lindsey Nelson

- Bob Murphy

- Ralph Kiner

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Summary

The 1969 Mets came into the season as a franchise that had never finished higher than ninth place in its seven years of existence, going back to a 120-loss debut in 1962. Manager Gil Hodges, a former Dodgers and Mets first baseman then in his second season running the club, had the team in third place and nine and a half games out as late as mid-August. From there Los Angeles's rebuild is not part of this...

- 1970 MLB Standings

- Sunday, June 28, 1970

- Start Time: 8:05 p.m. Local

- Attendance: 27,154

- Venue: Parc Jarry

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- Radio Announcers

- Lindsey Nelson

- Bob Murphy

- Ralph Kiner

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- Managers

- Gil Hodges

- Gene Mauch

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- Starting Lineups

- 1970 New York Mets

- 1 - CF - Tommie Agee

- 2 - SS - Bud Harrelson

- 3...

- 1950 MLB Standings

- Sunday, June 11, 1950

- Venue: Shibe Park

- First game of doubleheader, see Second game.

- Radio Announcers

- Al Helfer

- Art Gleason

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- Managers

- Lou Boudreau

- Jimmy Dykes

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- Starting Lineups

- 1950 Cleveland Indians

- 1 - RF - Bob Kennedy

- 2 - LF - Allie Clark

- 3 - 1B - Luke Easter

- 4...

- 1959 Los Angeles Dodgers

- Announcers

- Vin Scully

- Ira Cook

The 1959 Los Angeles Dodgers captured their first World Series title since moving west from Brooklyn, marking a pivotal moment in franchise history. Just two years removed from their relocation, the Dodgers overcame a turbulent, injury-riddled season to finish 88–68, tying with the Milwaukee Braves atop the National League. They won a best-of-three playoff series against Milwaukee to clinch the pennant, setting the stage for a World Series matchup with the Chicago White Sox.

- CF...

- 1978 MLB Standings

- Sunday, June 18, 1978

- Attendance: 40,598

- Venue: Comiskey Park I

- Radio Announcers

- Lorn Brown

- Harry Caray

- Jimmy Piersall

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- Starting Lineups

- 1978 Kansas City Royals

- 1 - CF - Willie Wilson

- 2 - LF - Tom Poquette

- 3 - 3B - George Brett

- 4 - 1B - Clint Hurdle

- 5 - DH - Hal McRae

- 6...

- 1985 MLB Standings

- Tuesday, June 11, 1985

- Attendance: 22,591

- Venue: Veterans Stadium

- Radio Announcers

- Andy Musser

- Chris Wheeler

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- Starting Lineups

- 1985 New York Mets

- 1 - 2B - Wally Backman

- 2 - 3B - Howard Johnson

- 3 - 1B - Keith Hernandez

- 4 - C - Gary Carter

- 5 - CF - Danny Heep

- 6 - LF - George...

- 1972 MLB Season

- Sunday, June 4, 1972

- Attendance: 51,904

- Venue: White Sox Park

- Game Duration: 2:25

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- Radio Announcers

- Frank Messer

- Bill White

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- Managers

- Ralph Houk

- Chuck Tanner

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- Starting Lineups

- 1972 New York Yankees

- 1 - 2B - Horace Clarke

- 2 - RF - Rusty Torres

- 3 - CF - Bobby Murcer

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Baseball from 1869 to 1969 transformed from a loosely organized pastime into America’s national sport, evolving through foundational rule changes, labor struggles, the rise of major franchises, and the integration of some of the game’s most enduring legends.

The first professional team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, took the field in 1869, marking the birth of organized pro baseball. The National League was founded in 1876, providing structure and legitimacy, followed by the creation of the American League in 1901. These two leagues formed the modern Major League Baseball structure and began the annual World Series in 1903.

The early era...

- 1966 MLB Season

- Friday, June 10, 1966

- Attendance: 10,469

- Venue: Cleveland Stadium

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- Radio Announcers

- Jimmy Dudley

- Bob Neal

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- Managers

- Gil Hodges

- Birdie Tebbetts

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- Starting Lineups

- 1966 Washington Senators

- 1 - 2B - Don Blasingame

- 2 - 3B - Bob Saverine

- 3 - RF - Jim King

- 4 - LF - Frank Howard

- 1972 Oakland Athletics

- 1972 MLB Standings

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- Announcers

- Monte Moore

- Jim Woods

- Jimmy Piersall

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- Key Players

- 1B - Mike Epstein

- LF - Joe Rudi

- CF-RF - Reggie Jackson

- 3B - Sal Bando

- C - Dave Duncan

- CF-RF - Angel Mangual

- C - Gene Tenace

- SS - Bert Campaneris

- 2B...

- 1981 MLB Standings

- Thursday, June 11, 1981

- Attendance: 18,612

- Venue: Shea Stadium

- Radio Announcers

- Marty Brennaman

- Joe Nuxhall

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- Managers

- John McNamara

- Joe Torre

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- Starting Lineups

- 1981 Cincinnati Reds

- 1 - RF - Dave Collins

- 2 - CF - Ken Griffey

- 3 - SS - Dave Concepción

- 4 - LF - George Foster

1968 Detroit Tigers

1968 MLB Standings

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- LF - Willie Horton

- 1B-RF - Al Kaline

- C - Bill Freehan

- 1B - Norm Cash

- CF-RF - Jim Northrup

- 2B - Dick McAuliffe

- CF - Mickey Stanley

- 3B - Don Wert

- SS - Tommy Matchick

- SP - Earl Wilson

- SP-RP - John Hiller

- SP - Mickey Lolich

- SP - Denny...

. - 1962 MLB Standings

- Wednesday, May 30, 1962

- Venue: Polo Grounds

- First game of doubleheader, -

- Radio Announcers

- Bob Murphy

- Lindsey Nelson

- Ralph Kiner

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- Starting Lineups

- 1962 Los Angeles Dodgers

- 1 - SS - Maury Wills

- 2 - 3B - Jim Gilliam

- 3 - CF - Willie Davis

- 4 - LF - Tommy Davis

- 5 - 1B - Ron...

. - 1977 MLB Standings

- Tuesday, May 24, 1977

- Attendance: 14,194

- Venue: Tiger Stadium

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- Radio Announcers

- Ernie Harwell

- Paul Carey

- Starting Lineups

- 1977 California Angels

- 1 - CF - Gil Flores

- 2 - 2B - Jerry Remy

- 3 - 3B - Dave Chalk

- 4 - LF - Joe Rudi

- 5 - RF - Bobby Bonds

- 6 - DH - Don Baylor

- 7...

- Announcers

- Vince Lloyd

- Lou Boudreau

- Jack Brickhouse

- Jack Quinlan

- Gene Elston

- Bert Wilson

- Bob Elson

- Hal Totten

- Lew Fonseca

- Charlie Grimm

- Quin Ryan

- Top Players

– Ernie Banks

– Billy Williams

– Ron Santo

– Fergie Jenkins

– Gabby Hartnett

– Hack Wilson

– Mordecai Brown

– Frank Chance

– Joe Tinker

– Joh...

- CF - Fred Lynn

- 1B-DH - Cecil Cooper

- LF-RF - Bernie Carbo

- LF-DH - Jim Rice

- RF - Dwight Evans

- 1B - Carl Yastrzemski

- 2B - Denny Doyle

- 3B - Rico Petrocelli

- SS - Rick Burleson

- SP - Luis Tiant

- SP-RP - Reggie Cleveland

- SP - Bill Lee

- SP-RP - Roger Moret

- SP - Rick Wise

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The 1983 Stanley Cup Final brought together two teams at very different points in their respective arcs. The New York Islanders were attempting to secure a fourth straight championship, having established themselves as the dominant team of the early '80s with a methodical, disciplined style of play. The Edmonton Oilers, in just their fourth NHL season, were driven by an explosive offense led by Wayne Gretzky, who had just posted an NHL-record 196 points in the regular season. Game 2, played on May 12 in Edmonton, reflected the broader clash between experience and firepower. While the Oilers generated pressure with their high-tempo...

- 1972 MLB Standings

- Wednesday, April 26, 1972

- Start Time: 7:35 p.m. Local

- Attendance: 6,193

- Venue: Yankee Stadium I

- Radio Announcers

- Frank Messer

- Phil Rizzuto

- Bill White

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- Starting Lineups

- 1972 Oakland Athletics

- 1 - SS - Bert Campaneris

- 2 - LF - Joe Rudi

- 3 - RF - Reggie Jackson

- 4 - 3B - Sal Bando

- 5 - CF...

From 1901 to 1960, the Pittsburgh Pirates established themselves as one of baseball’s most tradition-rich franchises, with periods of dominance, iconic players, and influential managers helping shape the team’s identity through the first six decades of the 20th century.

- 1970 MLB Standings

- Thursday, April 30, 1970

- Attendance: 5,149

- Venue: Candlestick Park

- Radio Announcers

- Lindsey Nelson

- Ralph Kiner

- Bob Murphy

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- Starting Lineups

- 1970 New York Mets

- 1 - CF - Tommie Agee

- 2 - SS - Bud Harrelson

- 3 - LF - Cleon Jones

- 4 - 1B - Donn Clendenon

- 5 - RF - Ron Swoboda

- 6 - 3B...

- 1968 MLB Standings

- Sunday, April 28, 1968

- Start Time: 2:06 p.m. Local

- Venue: Yankee Stadium I

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- Radio Announcers

- Jerry Coleman

- Phil Rizzuto

- Frank Messer

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- Starting Lineups

- 1968 Detroit Tigers

- 1 - 2B - Dick McAuliffe

- 2 - CF - Mickey Stanley

- 3 - RF - Al Kaline

- 4 - C - Bill Freehan

- 5 - 1B - Norm Cash<...

The 1980 Philadelphia Phillies delivered the most celebrated season in franchise history to that point, capturing their first-ever World Series title after nearly a century of trying. Managed by Dallas Green, the team combined veteran leadership, clutch hitting, and a deep pitching staff to finish 91–71 and win the National League East in a tightly contested race.Mike Schmidt led the charge with an MVP season, blasting 48 home runs and driving in 121 runs while playing elite defense at third base. He was the undisputed anchor of the lineup. Pete Rose, in his second year with the Phillies, brought postseason experience and gr...

- 1950 MLB Standings

- Saturday, April 22, 1950

- Attendance: 19,067

- Venue: Ebbets Field

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- Radio Announcers

- Red Barber

- Connie Desmond

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- Managers

- Leo Durocher

- Burt Shotton

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- Starting Lineups

- 1950 New York Giants

- 1 - 2B - Eddie Stanky

- 2 - LF - Whitey Lockman

- 3 - 3B - Hank Thompson

- 4 - RF...

- 1960 MLB Standings

- Saturday, April 23, 1960

- Attendance: 9,659

- Venue: Municipal Stadium

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- Radio Announcers

- Jack Buck

- Carl Erskine

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- Managers

- Joe Gordon

- Bob Elliott

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- Starting Lineups

- 1960 Cleveland Indians

- 1 - 2B - Johnny Temple

- 2 - CF - Jim Piersall

- 3 - RF - Walt Bond

- 4 - LF - Tito...

- Monday, April 12, 1971

- Attendance: 15,407

- Venue: Dodger Stadium

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- Radio Announcers

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- Vin Scully

- Jerry Doggett

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- Managers

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- Leo Durocher

- Walt Alston

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- Starting Lineups

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- 1971 Chicago Cubs

- 1 - SS - Don Kessinger

- 2 - 2B - Glenn Beckert

- 3 - LF - Billy Williams

- 4 - 3B - Ron Santo

- 5 - 1B - Joe Pepitone

- 6 - RF - Johnny Callison

- 7 - CF - José Ort...

- 1966 MLB Standings

- Tuesday, April 12, 1966

- Attendance: 21,658

- Venue: Metropolitan Stadium

- Radio Announcers

- Monte Moore

- Lynn Ferris

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- Starting Lineups

- 1966 Kansas City Athletics

- 1 - CF - José Tartabull

- 2 - RF - Mike Hershberger

- 3 - SS - Wayne Causey

- 4 - C - Billy Bryan

- 5 - 1B - Ken Harrelson

- 6 - LF - Larry Stahl

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The 1975 Cincinnati Reds, known as the Big Red Machine, were at the height of their dominance and delivered one of the most iconic seasons in baseball history. Managed by Sparky Anderson, the team finished with a 108–54 record, cruising to the National League West title and eventually capturing the World Series crownThe roster was loaded with star power, including Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench, and Tony Pérez—each contributing in different ways to the team’s relentless offense and cohesive chemistry. Joe Morgan, in particular, had an MVP season, showcasing a rare combination of power, speed, and plate discipl...