Harold's Old Time Radio – 1948 Baseball Game: Braves at Indians
Podcast: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode: 1948 Baseball Game - Braves at Indians
Air Date: March 19, 2026
Original Event: 1948 World Series, Game 5
Main Announcers: Mel Allen & Jim Britt
Overview
This episode presents the full radio broadcast of Game 5 of the 1948 World Series between the Boston Braves and Cleveland Indians. Broadcasted live from Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium, the episode captures the drama of a high-scoring, back-and-forth contest that broke World Series attendance records. Delivered in the golden voices of Mel Allen and Jim Britt, listeners are transported into the moment—the cheers of more than 86,000 fans, the tension of pivotal at-bats, and the batter-by-batter narration of a see-saw battle that saw the Braves force a Game 6 with an 11–5 victory.
Key Discussion Points & Game Highlights
Pre-Game Atmosphere & Series Recap
Timestamp: 00:59–11:53
- Mel Allen welcomes listeners, noting the electric atmosphere in Cleveland Municipal Stadium, anticipating another record crowd.
- Series Context:
- Cleveland leads the Series 3–1; a win clinches the championship for the Indians.
- Both teams are statistically even in many categories (hits, walks, extra-base hits), making the outcome unpredictable despite Cleveland’s advantage in games won.
- Notable color: A clown inadvertently releases a duck onto the field, providing a lighter moment before the first pitch.
- Pitching Matchup:
- Cleveland: Bobby Feller (“Rapid Robert”), seeking his first World Series victory.
- Boston: Nelson Potter, a surprise starter known for his screwball and hitting prowess as a pitcher.
“It appears in this tribal warfare that the Clevelands have the Indian sign on their embattled brethren, the Braves... However, the Boston’s chief medicine man hopes that he's come up with a proper potion today.”
— Mel Allen (01:43)
1st Inning Fireworks: Braves Strike Early
Timestamp: 15:10–28:41
- Boston Braves rally with back-to-back singles by Tommy Holmes and Al Dark.
- Earl Torgerson narrowly misses driving in a run; however, Bob Elliott delivers a massive three-run home run to right (18:20), propelling Boston to an early 3–0 lead.
- Cleveland’s Reply:
- Dale Mitchell hammers a solo home run to right (29:08), immediately cutting the deficit to 3–1.
“There goes a long drive to right field that's well tagged... it is a home run! A tremendous three-run home run by Bob Elliott.”
— Sports Announcer (18:20)
- By the end of the inning, it’s clear the game's defensive, pitching-dominated tone has changed, with hitters taking command.
Early Innings: Offense Continues, Records Broken
Timestamp: 28:41–55:54
- Boston Adds On: Bob Elliott launches a second home run, this time to left field (54:40), giving him five RBIs and the Braves a 4–1 lead.
- History Note: Elliott becomes one of the few players in World Series history to homer twice in a game.
“Today, he's hit two tremendous home runs and has driven in all four Boston runs to send the Braves four to one ahead.”
— Sports Announcer (55:54)
- Cleveland’s Defense: Ken Keltner (Indians) commits an error in the second, but Feller tightens up to avoid further damage.
Cleveland’s Big Fourth Inning: Momentum Swings
Timestamp: 73:55–83:44
- Cleveland Rally:
- Joe Gordon singles, Ken Keltner walks, Judnick breaks a hitless streak with a single (4–2), and with one out, Jim Hegan launches a three-run homer (79:33), giving Cleveland a 5–4 lead, electrifying the stadium.
“There goes a long drive to left field. It's a home run! That is all for Nelson Potter. Hegan hit a home run at the 330-foot mark into the left field stands. And Cleveland leads five to four.”
— Sports Announcer (79:33)
- The pitching change brings in Warren Spahn for Boston.
- This fourth inning marks the game’s offensive apex for Cleveland and prompts the removal of Potter from the mound.
Mid-Late Game: Braves Answer with a Historic Inning
Timestamp: 119:01–154:47
- The fifth and sixth innings keep the game tense—with a solo home run by Bill Salkeld (106:09) tying it 5–5.
- Seventh Inning Explosion:
- Braves bat around, scoring six runs on a string of hits, aggressive base-running, and a key error by Cleveland.
- Runs come from Torgerson’s single, Rickard’s RBI, and clutch plays by Stankey and Mike McCormick.
- Cleveland’s pitching unravels, with Feller, Ed Kleiman, Russ Christopher, and legendary Satchel Paige all pitching in the inning.
- Unique Moment: Satchel Paige is called for a balk, a rare occurrence in such a high-stakes game (149:18).
“And that brings to the plate now Earl Torgerson... Swung on, lined out over second in the center for the base hit. Here is Tommy Holmes... his throw is cut off at second, scoring as Holmes in the play. 6 to 5, the score in favor of the Braves.”
— Sports Announcer (122:00)
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On Bob Elliott’s Historic Performance:
“Even the Cleveland fans, sporting fans, recognize greatness. And they realize that Elliott has hit two consecutive home runs to drive in all four of the Boston runs.”
— Sports Announcer (95:24) -
Attendance Record:
“Ladies and gentlemen, the official paid attendance today. And get this. 86,288. Smashing all records for all time for any kind of a baseball game, regular season or World Series.”
— Jim Britt (108:08) -
On Satchel Paige’s Age & Style:
“Satchel Page is listed as having been born in Mobile, Alabama, September 18, 1908, which would make him 40... however, there was a report... his mother said he was 44, which spiked rumors that Satchel was up around the 50s. He’s been pitching a long time.”
— Mel Allen (149:56)
Closing Innings: Spahn Dominates, Braves Secure Win
Timestamp: 154:47–194:00
- Warren Spahn pitches masterfully in relief, giving up only one hit over 5⅔ innings and striking out five of the last six hitters.
- Cleveland is unable to mount another rally; Braves win 11–5 and force a Game 6 in Boston.
“Warren Spahn winds up in a tremendous blaze of gloom as he strikes out five of the last six men he faces. No runs for Cleveland, no hits, no errors and nobody left on base.”
— Mel Allen (193:59)
- Final totals:
- Boston Braves: 11 runs, 12 hits, 0 errors
- Cleveland Indians: 5 runs, 6 hits, 2 errors
Notable Statistics & Firsts
- Five Home Runs: More home runs in this single game than the rest of the Series combined up to that point.
- Record Crowd: 86,288 in attendance, a World Series record.
- Every Braves Starter Except Two (Holmes & Dark) Collected an RBI.
- Satchel Paige’s World Series Appearance: Marked by a called balk and a rare use of his talents in relief.
Important Timestamps
| Event/Segment | Time | |-----------------------------------------|-----------| | Pre-game analysis & lineups | 00:59–11:53| | First inning fireworks | 15:10–28:41| | Bob Elliott’s first home run | 18:20 | | Dale Mitchell’s home run (Cleveland) | 29:08 | | Bob Elliott’s second home run | 54:40 | | Jim Hegan’s three-run homer (Cleveland) | 79:33 | | Seventh inning, Braves' 6-run outburst | 119:01–149:56| | Satchel Paige’s appearance and balk | 146:01–149:56| | Final outs & summary | 193:59–194:47|
Tone and Language
The episode is marked by:
- Colorful Baseball Metaphors: Mel Allen frequently uses folksy, poetic descriptions (“tribal warfare,” “smoking the peace pipe,” "pyrotechnics").
- Warm, Knowledgeable Banter: The announcers offer historical context, statistics, and player backgrounds, often weaving in anecdotes.
- Urgency & Drama: Every big moment is heightened with lively play-by-play, vivid crowd noise, and periodic station breaks.
- Respect for the Moment: Both Allen and Britt praise great performances, regardless of team—especially in the case of Bob Elliott and Warren Spahn.
Memorable Moments & Quotes
- Comic Relief: The runaway duck on the field lightens the tension before the opening pitch.
- “Let’s listen to the music..." Mel Allen (10:30), as the crowd stands for the anthem and the band.
- On Home runs & Fireworks:
“The promised fireworks have arrived!”
— Sports Announcer (79:38) - On attendance:
“Smashing all records for all time for any kind of a baseball game.”
— Jim Britt (108:08)
Conclusion
Game 5 of the 1948 World Series, as broadcast here, is a microcosm of classic baseball drama: early leads, shifting momentum, legendary performances, and a raucous crowd witnessing history. The Braves’ offense (led by Bob Elliott) and Warren Spahn’s clutch relief pitching propel Boston to an 11–5 victory, staving off elimination and sending the Series back to Boston.
Listeners are treated to vintage radio’s magic, with vivid play-by-play, deep baseball knowledge, warm humor, and the kind of immersive crowd sound and broadcast color that defined the Golden Age of American radio.
For next time:
Game 6 will air live from Boston, promising more excitement as the Series continues!