About this episode

This episode recreates a radio broadcast of a baseball game between the St Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates on June 16, 1961, highlighting legendary players.

Just another Friday night in the Steel Capital of the world, and the defending World Series champions welcome the St Louis Cardinals to Pittsburgh? Think again. The Pirates’ 1960 World Series win feels like it is from another era, as the team struggled through injuries and performance, but was still adrift in the middle of the National League. The NL is looking tired as well, stuck with 8 teams and a 154-game season, waiting for the expansion and a league-wide draft to rip up the old order. Yet the new order is on the field tonight, as the Forbes Field crowds witness what we now know is a Hall of Fame showcase: the legendary Stan Musial in the twilight of his career, the power of Roberto Clemente on his way to his first batting title, the defensive wizard Bill Mazeroski, and a young, ferocious Bob Gibson. It’s Bob Gibson who stands out. In 1961, Gibson unlocked his pitching, moving from a sophomore-year ERA of 5.61 to throwing 10 complete games and posting an ERA of 3.24. He’s tonight’s starting pitcher, throwing to the young Tim McCarver, also on his way to changing the baseball world forever. Ewan Spence and the Classic Baseball Radio team bring you this recreated radio…

People in this episode

Host: Ewan Spence

Topics covered

• 1961 baseball
• Pittsburgh Pirates
• St Louis Cardinals
• Hall of Fame
• Bob Gibson
• Stan Musial
• Roberto Clemente

Keywords

• baseball
• 1961
• Pittsburgh Pirates
• St Louis Cardinals
• Bob Gibson
• Stan Musial
• Roberto Clemente
• Forbes Field
• Hall of Fame

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Pittsburgh Pirates, St Louis Cardinals

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