Harold’s Old Time Radio

Episode: 10/07/1934 - Baseball All Star Game (Aired March 19, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode is a rich, full-length rebroadcast of the 1934 MLB All-Star Game live from the Polo Grounds, New York. Through authentic play-by-play and colorful commentary, listeners are transported to the Golden Age of baseball radio—a time when the nation gathered around their sets to hear the best American and National Leaguers vie for supremacy. The episode covers the electric game, noteworthy performances, inning-by-inning excitement, and the iconic atmosphere of 1930s professional baseball. Along the way, the show features the era’s legendary broadcasters, nail-biting baseball, and a storytelling style that immerses even modern listeners in a classic sporting spectacle.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Scene at the Polo Grounds

• [00:30] Tom Manning draws listeners into the day’s atmosphere:

  • The Polo Grounds is described as “packed all the way around” with “perfect” weather—ideal for baseball.
  • Groundskeeper Henry Fabian's expert work praised, and vivid imagery sets the scene: “The grass looks as though it were as fine as the finest type of golf course green.”

• Anticipation builds for the second annual All-Star Game, with mention of the previous year’s American League win and Babe Ruth’s legendary home run.

“The crowd is tremendous. The stands are packed all the way around... Every seat in the house is filled now, almost. At least I can’t see any vacant seats any place from my place up here in the second tier off third base.” —Tom Manning [00:30]

2. Batting Orders and Player Introductions

• [07:34] Detailed rundown of both teams’ starting lineups, highlighting batting averages, positions, and player reputations.

  • American League features: Charlie Gehringer, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmy Foxx, Al Simmons, Joe Cronin, Bill Dickey, Lefty Gomez (starting pitcher).
  • National League features: Frankie Frisch, Pie Traynor, Joe Medwick, Kai Kai Kyler, Bill Terry, Travis Jackson, Gabby Hartnett, Carl Hubbell (starting pitcher).

• Manning draws out the drama, noting the star power:

  • “Not the slightest chance for a pitching let up. Just groove one for any man in that lot and bang, there goes your old ball game.”

3. Pre-Game Atmosphere and Ceremonies

• [14:39] Pre-game pageantry, with managers, captains, and umpires gathering at home plate.
  • Special note on the unveiling of a bronze plaque memorializing John McGraw, a legendary Giants manager, and tributes to baseball’s greats Christy Mathewson and Eddie Grant.
  • Honoring the legends and the “old timers,” especially Connie Mack, still managing at age 72.

“It was a terrific blow to baseball, of course, to lose John McGraw...the body simply could not hold the soul any longer. When after he had lost his beloved Giant. And so he passed from it.” —Tom Manning [14:39]

4. First Inning Fireworks – Pitching vs. Murderers’ Row

Top of the 1st

• [21:42] Tom Manning calls the opening at-bats:
  • Gehringer hits a single and advances on an error.
  • Manush walks; two on, none out.
  • Carl Hubbell faces Babe Ruth, then Lou Gehrig, and Jimmy Foxx—strikes out all three in succession with runners in scoring position.

“Boy, oh boy, oh boy, he struck out. Street breakouts for Carl Hubble. Come in for a ball player’s dream. Yes, sir, a manager’s dream and a pitcher’s nightmare.” —Tom Manning [35:50]

Bottom of the 1st

• Frankie Frisch hits a home run on the first pitch, electrifying the crowd and putting the National League up 1–0.
• [42:54] “Ray horse run, a home run for Frankie Frisch...” (Tom Manning)

5. Early Innings: Pitchers’ Duel

• Hubbell dominates, striking out the likes of Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx, Simmons, and Cronin—a stretch of five consecutive K’s.

“Boy, that constitutes some sort of a record. Babe Loose. Lou Gehrig, Jimmy Foxx and Al Simmons all striking out in succession. Boys and girls, this boy Hubble is a pitcher.” —Tom Manning [56:04]

• After three innings, National League leads 1–0.

6. Shifting Momentum – Power Offenses Awaken

Bottom of the 3rd

• [69:17]
  • Pie Traynor singles.
  • Joe Medwick hits a towering home run; NL extends the lead to 4–0.

“A long home run into the upper deck of the left field stand for a home run. The National Leaguers are out in front by the score, Top four to nothing. Listen to that cloud for a moment.” —Tom Manning [69:17]

Top of the 4th

• The American League rallies:
  • Al Simmons doubles, Cronin singles, and substitute Earl Averill smashes a triple—cutting the lead to 4–2.

7. The Explosive 5th Inning – Game Turns

• [108:37] American League stages a dramatic, six-run rally:
  • Ruth and Gehrig walk, Foxx singles home a run, Simmons singles, Cronin pops out, Dickey walks to load the bases.
  • Earl Averill smashes a two-run double to right.
  • Red Ruffing follows with another two-run single.
  • The AL takes an 8–4 lead.

“That is scored as a double for Earl Averell, the great little center field of the Cleveland Indians...the American League team out in front by the score of 6 to 4. Yes, indeed, it’s a ball game.” —Tom Manning [108:37]

• National League answers with three in their half—the game now stands 8–7 after five innings.

8. Late Innings – Fielding Gems and Tense Finale

• [160:32–200:18] Mel Harder keeps the American League’s slim lead alive.
  • Tremendous defensive plays:
    • Archie Vaughn’s sliding catch down the left field line in the top of the 9th is hailed as “absolutely the outstanding ceiling play of this afternoon game.”
    • Lou Gehrig’s sure-handed play at first base draws praise.

9. Ninth Inning Drama

• [200:18–end] National League stages a last-ditch rally:
  • Billy Herman doubles with one out, two runs behind.
  • Pie Traynor flies to center—two outs.
  • Chuck Klein comes up, two out, tying run at the plate; he grounds out—a close play at first ends the game.

“Chuck Brian, the mighty hitter is up, back to right. They feel that power into the sand...and the ball game is over in favor of the American League by a score of nine seven.” —Tom Manning [199:58]

10. Postgame Reflections and Memorable Moments

• [211:55] Analysis and summary:
  • The AL wins 9–7 in a game filled with home runs, legendary performances, and memorable defensive gems.
  • Carl Hubbell’s early-inning mastery stands out, as do the multiple-hit performances by Gehringer, Simmons, Cronin, Averill, Foxx, and Ruffing on the American League side.
  • The home runs by Frisch and Medwick remain major highlights for the National League.
  • Overall, the broadcast blends historical reverence, thrilling play-by-play, and the charm of the era’s radio style.

“The outstanding features in my mind now, just as I look back over the game were the pitching for the first three innings of that mighty pitcher, Kyle Hubbell. He was gorgeous out there in the box. And the fielding stunt of Archie Vaughn of Pittsburgh, those stand out in my mind besides some of the hitting, of course.” —Graham McNamee [211:55]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the crowd:

  “The crowd is tremendous. The stands are packed all the way around. If you don’t know the Polo ground, I’ll just tell you quickly that it is... just about a capacity crowd right now and undoubtedly every inch of of the standing room will be taken before game time...”
  —Tom Manning [00:30]

• On Carl Hubbell’s masterful strikeouts:

  “Boy, oh boy, oh boy, he struck out. Street breakouts for Carl Hubble. Come in for a ball player’s dream. Yes, sir, a manager’s dream and a pitcher’s nightmare.”
  —Tom Manning [35:50]

• On Archie Vaughn’s catch:

  “Absolutely the outstanding ceiling play of this afternoon game...right at the very fingertips. Kept right on going and ran until he ran into the barrier in the left field corner. That was a sweet catch by Archie Bowen.”
  —Tom Manning [199:32]

• Game-winning final call:

  “And the ball game is over in favor of the American League by a score of nine seven.”
  —Tom Manning [199:58]

Important Timestamps

• Polo Grounds Atmosphere/Pre-game buildup:
  [00:30] – [14:39]

• First inning drama – Hubbell’s strikeouts and Frisch’s HR:
  [21:42] – [42:54]

• AL rally and Simmons/Averill heroics:
  [69:17], [108:37]

• Six-run 5th inning for the AL:
  [108:37]

• Last inning drama and NL comeback attempt:
  [200:18] – [end]

• Postgame summary and reflection:
  [211:55] – [end]

Style and Tone

The broadcast is marked by lively, descriptive, and enthusiastic narration, featuring:

• Rich play-by-play detail that conjures vivid imagery (“Texas leaguer,” “hooked the ball underhand, fell high to Lou Gehrig”)
• Sentimental reverence for the game’s greats and classic radio camaraderie
• A warm, engaging authenticity, exuding love both for baseball and the communal radio experience

Summary

Harold’s Old Time Radio’s rebroadcast of the 1934 All-Star Game captures all the magic and drama of vintage baseball. From Carl Hubbell’s legendary early strikeout streak to game-changing offensive explosions and remarkable defensive plays, listeners experience the excitement alongside the original radio audience. The episode is a must-listen for any baseball fan, bringing to life a pivotal and star-studded moment in baseball history, retold in the language and passion of the era.