Harold’s Old Time Radio - 08/31/1957 Baseball: Giants at Dodgers Air Date: March 20, 2026 (original broadcast from August 31, 1957)

Episode Overview

This episode of "Harold’s Old Time Radio" transports listeners to the golden age of baseball radio, presenting the second game of a classic late-1957 series between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants at Ebbets Field. With evocative play-by-play and color commentary from Jerry Duggan, Ray Scully, Al Hasser, and iconic voices like Vince Scully (credited as “Vince”), the broadcast brings to life the sights, sounds, and drama of a tight and tumultuous National League matchup. The tension of the late season, the presence of thousands of fans (including "not hole" youngsters and Ladies Day attendees), and the star power of players such as Willie Mays, Gil Hodges, and Duke Snider set the stage for an engaging, seesaw contest full of memorable moments.

Key Discussion Points & Game Highlights

Setting the Stage (00:33-04:00)

• Broadcast Opening: Classic sponsor messages (“a light smoke, the best-tasting cigarette you ever smoked”) set the era’s tone. Clear delineation of broadcast rights.
• Backdrop:
  • Dodgers won last night’s opener 10-0 via Don Drysdale’s three-hitter.
  • Pitching matchup: Sal Maglie (Dodgers) vs. Al Worthington (Giants).
  • Last chance to see the Giants at Ebbets, kids’ day, bright and sunny, with over 6,000 young “not hole” fans in attendance.
• Starting Lineups:
  • Notable names: Willie Mays, Ray Jablonski, Hank Sauer (Giants); Jim Gilliam, Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, Carl Furillo (Dodgers).

Early Innings: Dodgers Take the Lead (04:00-34:00)

Top 1st (Giants):

• Danny O’Connell flies out to Carl Furillo.
• Don Mueller reaches on an infield hit, Mays singles, but Maglie strands two after striking out Jablonski and getting Hank Sauer to fly out.

  “Fine crowd on hand. We have over 6,000 ‘not hole’ youngsters here today, and we're delighted.” – Vince (06:30)

Bottom 1st (Dodgers):

• Simoli rips a double to right center, adventures back to 2nd after taking a wide turn.
• Furillo singles to center, driving in Simoli (Dodgers lead 1-0).

  “Furillo, who's blazing hot up there at home plate, rips a single… Dodgers lead one to nothing here in the first inning.” – Jerry Duggan (27:19)

• Dodgers threaten further but leave two runners, leading 1-0.

2nd-3rd Innings:

• Giants and Dodgers put men on base but fail to score.
• Defensive highlights: Snyder chases down deep fly balls; Hodges makes a fine play on a bunt.
• Dodgers maintain 1-0 lead.

Middle Innings: Tension and Fireworks (34:00-80:00)

Top 4th:

• Whitey Lockman doubles off the scoreboard; Giants fail to advance him.
• Score: Dodgers 1, Giants 0.

Bottom 4th:

• Charlie Neal doubles, Pee Wee Reese singles him home.
• Dodgers go up 2-0.

  “Race with his second hit, gets home the Dodgers second run. Neal scoring it.” – Jerry Duggan (70:53)

Top 5th: Tides Turn

• Willie Mays singles, steals second, advances to third.
• Ray Jablonski launches a 2-run home run, tying the game at 2.

  “May's a short lead off first. Nagy with a switch. Here's the first six. Foul ball... May's going. ...Swung on. A high fly ball, deep left field ... and it's in there for a home run.” – Vince (83:25)

• Memorable Quote:

  “Ray Jablonski gets the ball game all even now with his eighth home run of the year, drives in Mays ahead of him. So we've got a brand new game now.” – Jerry Duggan (89:05)

• Giants even it up: 2-2.

Bottom 5th:

• Simoli walks, advances on a wild pitch, Hodges clobbers a two-run homer to left (his 24th of the year, 7th in 12 games).

  “Swung on. A long drive to left field ... this one is going, going, gone!” – Jerry Duggan (105:06)

• Dodgers retake lead, 4-2.

Late Innings: Drama Peaks (80:00-140:00)

Top 6th: Giants Rally

• Giants benefit from back-to-back errors by Pee Wee Reese.
• Gail Harris (pinch-hitting) lifts a sacrifice fly.
• Don Mueller singles to left-center—two runs score on a misplay.
• Pitching changes: Sandy Koufax comes in, struggles, replaced by Eddie Roebuck.
• Giants surge ahead 5-4.

  “Mueller is on at first base ... fly ball in the left center field, fell in between Camoli and center... and another confused amount. ... The Giants lead 5 to 4.” – Jerry Duggan (118:40)

Bottom 6th: Dodgers Strike Back

• Roebuck and Gilliam single; Simoli belts a clutch two-run double to deep left, Dodgers reclaim the lead, 6-5.

  “Simoli rattled the boards in left center field with a double to score Roebuck and Gillian. And The Dodgers lead 6-5.” – Jerry Duggan (130:01)

Top 7th:

• Roebuck manages a key hold, Giants threaten but leave a man.

Closing Act: Roebuck Shines, Dodgers Win (140:00-End)

Bottom 8th:

• Relief pitcher Eddie Roebuck cranks a solo home run—his second of the season—padding the lead for Brooklyn.

  “Not only has Eddie Roebuck blossomed into a star relief pitcher, he also has become quite a hitter.” – Jerry Duggan (155:00)

Top 9th:

• Roebuck mows down the Giants in order.
• Final out: Strikes out Ray Jablonski swinging.

  “Roebuck strikes him out, gets the Giants out on order in the ninth inning. ... and the final score, the Dodgers seven and the Giants five.” – Jerry Duggan (167:33)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Perfect Color Commentary on Classic Ballpark Atmosphere:

  “Man, this is the life, isn't it? You stretched out on an easy chair, your radio booming in the ball game and a crack of Lucky close at hand.” – Jerry Duggan (00:33)

• On Dodgers’ August Surge:

  “Brillo has been blazing hot. So much so that his average is now up to .290… In the month of August, he's hit .441.” (27:19)

• On the game’s back-and-forth action and fan spirit:

  “Boy, this has been a real ball game. He's gone back and forth.” (130:01)

• Human drama—fan steals the bat:

  “The fan reached down under that gate and slid the bat under there. And he's going to take it home as a souvenir. Well, I know they take the balls home, but my goodness, the bats, too. Gee whiz.” – Jerry Duggan (141:41)

  • The bat is ultimately returned, and the fan rewarded with a new one.

Important Timestamps

• Opening & Lineups: 00:33 – 08:00
• 1st Inning Action & Dodgers Score: 27:19 – 34:00
• Jablonski Ties It with Homer: 83:25 – 90:00
• Hodges’ Go-Ahead HR: 105:06 – 107:40
• Giants Take the Lead (6th): 115:06 – 118:40
• Dodgers Regain Lead (6th): 130:01 – 133:00
• Roebuck’s HR (Dodgers 7th Run): 155:00 – 156:00
• Final Out, Game Wrap: 167:33 – 168:00

Game Summary & Final Stats

• Final Score: Brooklyn Dodgers 7, New York Giants 5
• Key Performers:
  • Dodgers:
    • Simoli (2 doubles, 2 runs, 2 RBI)
    • Hodges (go-ahead HR, 2 RBI)
    • Furillo, Roseboro, Gilliam all with multiple hits or key plays
    • Eddie Roebuck: closes pitching, hits a home run
  • Giants:
    • Jablonski (crucial 2-run home run)
    • Willie Mays (2 hits, 2 runs)
    • Whitey Lockman (2 hits)
• Pitching Decisions:
  • Win: Eddie Roebuck (7-2)
  • Loss: Grissom (4th loss)
  • Dodgers: 13 hits, 3 errors, 7 left on base
  • Giants: 8 hits, 0 errors, 8 left on base

Conclusion

This broadcast encapsulates the excitement, unpredictability, and charm of 1950s baseball, complete with lively commentary, shifting momentum, and the gritty efforts of legends in a pressure-packed pennant race. It’s a classic ballgame where every inning brought a new hero and every miscue a new twist, all rendered in timeless play-by-play that puts the listener right in the seats at Ebbets Field.