Transcript

Howie Mandel (0:00)

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Vince Gulley (0:31)

Well friends, this broadcast is authorized under broadcasting rights granted by the Brooklyn National League Baseball Club Incorporated solely for the entertainment of our listening audience and any publication, rebroadcast or other use of the descriptions and accounts of the scheme without the express written consent of the Brooklyn National League Baseball Club Incorporated is prohibited. Well, tonight Chicago Cubs in town to open up a three day series here with the Dodgers. Tomorrow night's game will be at Roosevelt Stadium and Thursday they'll come back here to wind up the set. Moving in on Friday, Saturday and for a doubleheader Sunday, the Cincinnati Red Leg. The Dodgers have a 30 record against the Cubs this year with two victories at Ebbets Field and one at Wrigley Field. Two of the ball games in the western city of course were postponed because of bad weather. The Brooklyn record, by the way, against the western clubs this year is 10 and 6, 5 and 4 at home and 5 and 2 away. That victory in Chicago was posted by young Sandy Koufax who blazed by a 13 strikeout from that ballgame to get a 32 win. The two runs against Sandy, but the Cubs were unearned in that one. Koufax will go to the firing line tonight and opposing will be a young right hander named Richard Fred Drach, known by his teammates as Dick Draught. Purchased by the Cubs from Los Angeles on March 5th this year. He's a big right hander who is from Cincinnati. Last year with Los Angeles on the coast, he won 13, lost 10 and had an earned run average of 4.39. So it'll be Dracht going against Koufax. Sandy Koufax, the left hander and Dick Drot with the right hander. Let's give you a rundown now on the batting orders for the two ball clubs. Leading off for Chicago. At second base will be Bobby Morgan, left field speak. At third base will be Banks. In center field will be Walls Ernega, the right fielder ER Naga, a newcomer who has made Quite an impressive start with Chicago. Dale Long at first base, Neiman the catcher, Littrell at shortstop and Dick Drop to do the pitching for the Dodgers. Amorous in left field, Gilliam at second base, Duke Snyder in center, Gino Simoli in right field, Hodges at first, Campanella catching, Charlie Neal at third, Don Zimmer at short and Sandy Koufax to do the pitching. The umpires for tonight's game will be Gorman at the plate, Dixon Burkhardt and Dusty Bogus on the bases. Well, it's a fine night for a ball game. Still plenty of seats available here at Ebbets Field for their series opener which welcomes the Dodgers back home after a long road trip. They went to the west and had the trip broken by a three day stand here against the Giants and went back into Pennsylvania for a nine game series. So it'll be the Dodgers and the Cubs as the Western invasion begins for the second time this year. Still plenty of seats here at Ebbots Field. A fine night for a ball game. So you're in the neighborhood, make your plans and come on over and see one. Koufax has stopped his warm ups now and he's about ready to go. But the big Chicago right enter Dick Drop, is still firing away off to our left. Brooklyn on this home stand plays 15 games against the west, including two games at Jersey City tomorrow night against Chicago and June 10th against Milwaukee. There'll be two Sunday double headers in the set. June 9th against Cincinnati. That'll be this coming Sunday and then a week from Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals on Father's Day. The Dodgers take the field now and we'll remind you to be sure and pick up your tickets for those two big doubleheaders coming up. Sunday, June 9, the Dodgers and the Cincinnati Red Legs. And Sunday, June 16 with St. Louis. So the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Braves, Cincinnati red legs and St. Louis Cardinals come to Webbit Field while the Dodgers here hope to make hay and gain a little ground in the National League standing. Going out to play now, third base, Charlie Neal at shortstop, Don Zimmer. Second is Junior Gilliaman. At first, Gil Hodges. Sandy Amorous goes to left field, Duke Snyder to center, Gino Simoli to right, Campanella catching, Koufax pitching. And now our national anth. Sam. And thoughts about time to play.

Summary

Harold’s Old Time Radio

Episode: 06/04/1957 Baseball – Cubs at Dodgers

Date Aired: March 22, 2026 (original radio broadcast from June 4, 1957)

Episode Overview

This episode of Harold’s Old Time Radio transports listeners back to the golden days of Major League Baseball on June 4th, 1957, for a classic matchup between the Brooklyn Dodgers and Chicago Cubs at Ebbets Field. Legendary voices Jerry Doggett and Vin Scully deliver the play-by-play and color commentary. This broadcast features not only top-tier pitching from Brooklyn's Sandy Koufax and Chicago’s Dick Drott, but also a dramatic late-game comeback attempt from the Cubs, memorable moments on and off the field, and a historical snapshot of baseball and American culture in the 1950s.

Key Discussion Points & Game Highlights

1. Setting the Stage and Historical Context

(00:31 – 06:12)

Opening remarks from Vin Scully on the broadcast rights, club records, and lineups for both teams.
Dodgers return home after a long road trip, eager to face western clubs; they enjoy a 3-0 record against the Cubs that season so far.
Notable mention of Sandy Koufax’s recent 13-strikeout performance against Chicago.
Starting pitchers: lefty Sandy Koufax (Dodgers) vs. righty Dick Drott (Cubs), both known for strikeout abilities.
Quote:

“It ought to be a good game between two fine young pitchers.” – Vin Scully (07:12)

2. Early Innings – Pitchers Duel and Opening Runs

Top of the 1st: Koufax in Command

(07:12 – 15:02)

Koufax matches the league leader in strikeouts with two Ks in the first inning, striking out Bobby Morgan and Ernie Banks.
Quote:

“Koufax now ties Arroyo.” – Jerry Doggett (09:32)

Bottom of the 1st: Dodgers Pounce on Cubs' Mistakes

(19:30 – 37:22)

Amorous pops out, Gilliam and Snider both draw walks.
Simoli strikes out, but a double steal is botched by Cubs’ catcher Nieman, whose errant throw allows Gilliam to score.
Roy Campanella hits a double high off the scoreboard in right, bringing in two more.
Dodgers lead 3–0 after one inning.
Memorable Moment:

“A double steal and a throwing error by catcher Cal Nieman...Brooklyn leads one to nothing.” – Jerry Doggett (31:33)

3. Strikeout Showcase & Defensive Gems

(39:18 – 54:54)

Koufax continues to dominate hitters, notching five strikeouts in the first two innings.
Notable defensive play: Barney Stein, official team photographer, catches a foul ball in the camera booth—prompting on-air banter.
Dick Drott racks up four strikeouts through the second; both pitchers highlight their “strikeout artist” reputations.

4. Third Inning – Dodgers Break it Open

(62:27 – 79:03)

Duke Snider hits a towering home run to center (his 10th of the year), extending the Dodgers’ lead to 4–0.
Dodgers load the bases with no outs; Campanella is hit by a pitch and forced to exit the game.
Charlie Neal singles through the drawn-in infield, scoring two (6–0).
Dick Drott relieved by Jim Brosnan after giving up six runs on four hits and five walks in just over two innings.
Quote:

"Dick Drot worked two innings plus, gave up six runs…walked five men. Of course, that was his undoing.” – Jerry Doggett (72:52)

5. Mid-Game: Changing Batteries & Bench Debuts

(80:20 – 91:55)

Brooklyn’s Joe Pignatano, a Brooklyn native, makes his Major League catching debut after Campanella exits.
Scully and Doggett enthusiastically welcome Pignatano, celebrating the all-Brooklyn battery (Koufax–Pignatano).

6. Cubs Struggle, Dodgers Add On

(101:38 – 122:06)

Jim Brosnan helps steady the Cubs’ pitching, but allows back-to-back homers to Hodges (5th inning).
Cubs remain hitless through the fifth; Koufax maintains a no-hitter with 9 Ks and 4 walks.
Notable stats: At end of five, Dodgers lead 7–0, having scored in every odd inning.

7. Late-Game Drama – No-Hitter Broken & Cubs Rally

(126:20 – 173:06)

Top 6th: Bob Speake breaks up Koufax's no-hitter with a 2-run home run, making it 7–2.
Top 8th: Cubs mount a furious comeback—
- Bob Speak walks, Ernie Banks crushes a 3-run homer (his 6th of the season), narrowing the lead to 7–5.
- Cubs put runners in scoring position, forcing Brooklyn to bring in Clem Labine from the bullpen.
- Quote:
  
  “Before you know it, the Cubs are right back in the ballgame now as Ernie Banks hits the three-run homer.” – Jerry Doggett (165:26)
Koufax’s final line: 7 1/3 innings, 4 hits, 12 strikeouts, 5 walks, 5 earned runs – another strikeout masterclass, undone only by big home runs.

8. Nail-Biter Finish – The Dodgers Hang On

(179:27 – 197:32)

Top 9th: Cubs load the bases with the tying run at first and go-ahead at the plate.
Clem Labine bears down, striking out Bob Speake on a curveball with runners at first and second for the final out.
Memorable Moment:

“Lebine is now one strike away from recording his seventh save of the year to give Koufax his fourth win. But that's a mighty big pitch. Well, let's just wait and see.” – Vince Scully (195:19)

9. Stats, Standings & Scene-Setting

Postgame Recap (198:07–End)

Final score: Dodgers 7, Cubs 5. Dodgers’ fourth win over Chicago that year, now closing in on Cincinnati in National League standings.
Koufax improves to 4–2; Drot drops to 3–6.
Dodgers: 7 runs, 7 hits, 0 errors, 6 left.
Cubs: 5 runs, 6 hits, 1 error, 6 left.
Scully and Doggett highlight upcoming doubleheaders and promotional events at Ebbets Field (“take your dad for Father’s Day!”).
Special attention to the all-Brooklyn battery and the historical context of the league's competitiveness and balance.

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

“It ought to be a good game between two fine young pitchers. Dick Grott for the Cubs and Sandy Koufax for the Brooklyn Dodgers.”
— Vin Scully (07:12)
On Koufax’s strikeout pace:
“Koufax has now struck out five men in two innings. Remember the last time he faced the Cubs? He struck out 13…”
— Jerry Doggett (46:07)
On the Pignatano debut:
“So welcome to the club, Joe, and lots of luck. Carl Erskine stopping to talk to him right now while Pignettano, a Brooklyn boy, finally plants his spikes back a home plate and takes a few warm ups.”
— Jerry Doggett (79:03)
On the late-game comeback:
“Before you know it, the Cubs are right back in the ballgame now as Ernie Banks at the three run homer at seven to five.”
— Jerry Doggett (165:26)
On the dramatic 9th inning finish:
“Lebine is now one strike away from recording his seventh save of the year to give Koufax his fourth win. But that's a mighty big pitch. Well, let's just wait and see.”
— Vince Scully (195:19)
Final call:
“Down he goes. Strike three on a curveball into the hand. Speaketh out. The Dodgers win.”
— Vince Scully (197:31)

Memorable and Unique Aspects

Superlative pitching duel in the first half; high number of strikeouts between Koufax (12) and Cubs pitchers (8).
Cubs break up a no-hitter and mount a 7-run rally after trailing 7–0, punctuated by home runs from Bob Speak and Ernie Banks.
Joe Pignatano’s Major League catching debut in his hometown; moments of Brooklyn pride and nostalgia.
Signature Scully and Doggett style: friendly banter, father-son moments, descriptions of fans and the local crowd, and real-time scoreboard updates from around the baseball landscape.

Structural Summary with Timestamps

| Segment | Time Range | Highlights | |-----------------------------------|-------------|--------------------------------------------| | Setting the scene, lineups | 00:31–06:12 | Historical context, starting pitchers, lineups, local promotions | | 1st Inning | 07:12–37:22 | Koufax’s early dominance, Dodgers capitalize on walks/errors | | 2nd–3rd Innings | 39:18–54:54 | Pitchers’ duel, strikeout showcase, Dodgers break open lead | | 4th–5th Innings | 80:20–122:06 | Brooklyn battery debut (Pignatano), Dodger home runs | | 6th–7th Innings | 126:20–152:07| No-hitter broken, Cubs rally, high tension | | 8th–9th Innings | 163:27–197:32| Banks’ 3-run HR, Dodgers close with Labine, final out drama | | Postgame Recap | 198:07–End | Scores, stats, promotions, farewells |

Takeaways for Modern Listeners

This episode captures both the intensity of mid-century baseball and the community/familial atmosphere at Ebbets Field.
The vivid storytelling, sharp commentary, and historic performances make this more than just a ballgame—it’s a time capsule of 1950s American sports culture.
The game is a masterclass in pitching, opportunism, and the unpredictability of baseball—a script only the sport itself could write.

For baseball history lovers, vintage radio fans, or anyone who wants a front-row seat to Brooklyn’s golden era, this episode is a must-listen and a stirring reminder of the timeless appeal of the national pastime.

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06/04/1957 Baseball - Cubs At Dodgers