Harold’s Old Time Radio – Episode Summary

Episode: 09/20/1934 – Yankees at Tigers Baseball Game Broadcast

Date: March 19, 2026 (rebroadcast), Original game: September 20, 1934
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio

Overview

This episode delivers a vivid play-by-play broadcast of a 1934 American League matchup between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers. The episode throws listeners into the nostalgia and energy of the pre-television era, when families gathered around the radio to catch major sporting events. The broadcast, complemented by the announcer’s rich, descriptive narration, captures not just the play on the field but also the character and quirks of players, the roaring crowd, and the pace of baseball in its golden age.

Key Discussion Points & Game Highlights

1. Pitching Changes and Early Action

• Marbury’s Struggles: The Tigers’ starting pitcher Marbury is pulled after 2 and 1/3 innings, having allowed six hits and six runs (00:31).
• Hamlin Takes Over: Luke Hamlin enters, facing the tough Yankees lineup and immediately is under pressure.
  • Noted for being a right-handed thrower but batting left-handed.

2. Top of the Third: Tigers Threaten

• Bases Loaded Opportunity
  • Hamlin singles to left center (his fifth hit of the season).
  • Fox reaches on a peculiar, spinning grounder that eludes Lazzeri (“one of the most peculiar rolling balls we've seen” – Announcer, 01:57).
  • White loads the bases with an infield single.
• Gehringer’s Moment of Luck: After receiving a pre-game floral horseshoe from fans, Gehringer pops up weakly with the bases loaded (04:12).
• Memorable Play: Rolfe (Yankees’ third baseman) makes an acrobatic pop-fly catch, “lost his cap in the effort and showed his flaming red patch” (03:53).
• Tigers Unable to Capitalize: Despite loading the bases, a pop-out and ground-out end the rally – “Three on and two down. Greenberg is up, who struck out the first time” (05:14).

3. Bottom of the Third: Yankees’ Defense Shines

• Yankees Escape Trouble:
  • Broca works out of a jam with only minimal damage, keeping the score at 8-1 by the end of the third (08:38).

4. Yankees Bat Again: Fourth Inning

• Crosetti’s At Bat:
  • Fouls a ball off, caught by a bald gentleman in the stands, “He squeezed that a moment. Showed it to some of them around there. And in the pocket she went. Foul ball in the side pocket” (10:54).
  • Ground-out: “Owen knocked down the drive. Couldn't hold it cleanly. Picked it up...His fast, accurate throw did [get the out]” (11:51).
• Smooth Fielding: Short flyouts and defensive gems, including Goslin’s catches in left field.

5. Tigers Fourth: Lone Hit

• Rogel Singles: Up to bat, Rogel singles to center with two outs (15:48).
• Hayworth Flies Out: Ends the inning, preserving Yankees’ lead at 8-1.

6. Tigers Start to Rally in the Fifth

• Hamlin’s Speed on Base: Beats out a slow bounder to Lazzeri for an infield single—“Didn’t seem to start fast, but when he realized it was a slow bounder, he put on a lot of speed and beat it” (21:14).
• Fox on Fire: Reaches base for the third time—“He's had six hits all season. Got two today” (22:17).
• White Beats Out a Bunt: Another “flying White” moment (23:32).
• Gehringer's 200th Hit: Singles back through second base, scores Fox; “That’s Charlie Goeringer’s 200th for the season. Paul Winger made the first 200 hit of the season in the majors yesterday. Paul Wehner. The Pittsburgh Pirates” (25:17).
• Tigers Score: Now 8-2, runners at corners.
• Greenberg Plates Another: Hank singles to left, scoring another run. “Greenberg single to left, hard smash on the ground between third and shortstops scoring White” (26:52). Tigers now trail 8-3.

7. Yankees Threaten in Sixth but Tigers’ Defense Holds

• Yankees Load the Bases: Singles by Bird and Jorgens, Broca walks, bases loaded, none out (34:10).
• Goslin and White’s Throws: After Crusetti flies out (“he’d have been out if he’d attempted to score”), Rolfe hits another fly to shallow left-center. Bird tries to score but is out at the plate—“White, beautiful throw to Hayworth, nailing Bird when he did try to score” (39:20).

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• On a strange grounder:
  “It hopped over his hand. It took some English and bounded away from him just as he was reaching for it. And Fox comes, gets a hit. Rather than Lazeri being charged with an error, it was one of the most peculiar rolling balls we've seen.”
  — Baseball Game Announcer (01:57)

• On a souvenir foul:
  “Crocetti popped a foul off the handle in the stand, upper deck. Caught by a bald headed gentleman. And it’s in his pocket already. He squeezed that a moment. Showed it to some of them around there. And in the pocket she went.”
  — Baseball Game Announcer (10:54)

• On the Tigers’ brief rally:
  “Gehringer lined a hit back at second base. Fox is scoring, White is trying for third. Chapman’s throw is going over to Ross, but White is safe at third. That’s Charlie Goeringer’s 200th for the season.”
  — Baseball Game Announcer (25:17)

• Announcer wit:
  “We’ll probably be here all night. Everything has happened so far that you’d expect to happen on a ball field.”
  — Baseball Game Announcer (06:27)

• On a defensive play:
  “Hayworth nailed him at the plate. Van Duck into the inning. Double play on White. Excellent throw to Hayworth. Retiring Bird trying to score after the catch.”
  — Baseball Game Announcer (39:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Pitching Change / Inning Recap: 00:31 – 03:50
• Tigers Bases Loaded Threat: 03:53 – 06:10
• Yankees Defensive Highlights: 09:53 – 13:00
• Tigers Get on the Board (5th): 19:16 – 27:00
• Yankees’ Bases Loaded, No-Out Threat: 32:24 – 39:20

Final Notes

• The episode is rich with colorful play-by-play, offering listeners an immersive experience of a classic 1930s baseball game.
• The announcer’s vivid storytelling and in-game banter capture both the strategy of baseball and the flavor of an era past.
• Standout moments include rare defensive gems, “peculiar” plays, and the Tigers’ earnest attempts to claw back into the game against a daunting Yankees offense.

Listeners seeking a slice of baseball history, lively 1930s radio narration, and vintage big-league action will find this episode a nostalgic and entertaining ride.