Harold's Old Time Radio – 1948 Baseball: Indians at Braves

Episode Air Date: March 19, 2026
Original Broadcast: World Series, Game 1, 1948
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Announcers: Mel Allen & Jim Britt

Episode Overview

This episode transports listeners to a real-time radio broadcast of Game 1 of the 1948 World Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Braves at Braves Field, Boston. It is a masterclass in classic radio sports coverage, filled with vibrant scene-setting, vivid play-by-play action, and the energetic, poetic commentary characteristic of Golden Age baseball. The episode features Hall-of-Fame broadcasters Mel Allen and Jim Britt, covering what quickly becomes a hard-fought pitchers’ duel, ultimately decided by a single run in the eighth inning.

Key Discussion Points and Game Narrative

Pre-Game Build-Up & Scene-Setting (00:17–12:01)

• Atmospheric Introduction:
  • Mel Allen introduces the game, highlighting the significance of the matchup: both teams returning to the World Series after long absences (Indians since 1920, Braves since 1914).
  • Vivid description of Braves Field and its surroundings, including mentions of Harvard, Cambridge, and the city skyline.
  • Weather update: concerns about rain subside as the sky is patchy but playable—"There are a few clouds beginning to move into the blue, but it appears that we'll be able to play baseball all the way." (02:40)
• Team Histories and Notable Figures:
  • Touching anecdote about Jeff Heath and Red Smith, both out with broken legs near the end of the season, relating their hardships and presence as spectators.
  • Acknowledgement of invited veterans of the 1914 Braves and key figures from each team’s earlier glory years.
• Starting Lineups & Personnel:
  • Starting pitchers: Bobby Feller (Indians) vs. Johnny Sain (Braves).
  • Managers: Lou Boudreau (Indians, player-manager) and Billy Southworth (Braves).
  • Lineup rundown for both teams, with batting averages, key statistics, and brief bios for several players.

“It’s been said many times in jest that the country could or should be given back to the Indians. Well today that quip has taken on an aura of reality for America truly has been taken by the Redskins, the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Braves.”
—Mel Allen (01:35)

Game Action and Highlights

Innings 1–3: Classic Pitchers’ Duel Begins (12:01–33:59)

• Early Play:
  • Both teams are retired in order, displaying the poise and dominance of Feller and Sain.
  • First hit of the game comes in the 2nd inning: Ken Keltner singles to left (24:40).
• Notable Defensive Plays:
  • Multiple mentions of the wind's effect on fly balls—Braves Field is a tough home run park today.
  • Cleveland’s Jim Hegan reaches on an error in the 3rd and steals second—a rare baserunner.

“Every seat, of course, is filled. The park has been sold out long since… The consensus varied all the way from a four game victory for the Cleveland Indians to a six game victory for the Boston Braves.”
—Jim Britt (20:16)

Innings 4–7: Tension and Missed Opportunities (44:44–88:34)

• Tight Play Continues:
  • Joe Gordon singles and steals second in the 4th; Gordon and Hegan become the only men to reach second base for several innings.
  • Feller and Sain continue to trade outs; both deal with threats but escape jams unscathed.
  • Defensive gem in the 7th: Eddie Robinson and Feller combine on a superb play at first to get Torgerson out, despite a spiking.

"What a play that was... Eddie Robinson underhanded the ball to Bob Feller, who arrived at the bag with the ball just a fraction of a second ahead of Torgerson for the most deferred fielding play, the most spectacular one of the afternoon."
—Mel Allen (88:34)

8th Inning: Decisive Braves Rally (97:36–116:09)

• The Key Moment:
  • Bill Salkeld draws a walk, replaced by pinch-runner Bill Macy.
  • Mike McCormick sacrifices Macy to second (107:08).
  • Eddie Stanky walks intentionally; Sibby Sisti pinch-runs.
  • Johnny Sain flies out; runners hold.
  • Tommy Holmes lines a single to left, scoring Macy for the first (and only) run of the game!
    Sisti advances to third, Holmes to second on the throw.

“Tommy Holmes swings… here he is safely mounting third, takes the plate and he goes in to score.”
—Mel Allen (107:08)

• Bob Feller composes himself and retires Dark to end the threat, but the Braves lead, 1–0.

Ninth Inning: Tense Finish—Braves Hold On (116:09–end)

• Cleveland’s Last Stand:
  • Lou Boudreau lines out deep to center; Joe Gordon pops up foul.
  • With two out, Keltner reaches second on a two-base throwing error by Bob Elliott.
  • Walter Judnick, with the tying run at second, is called out on strikes by Johnny Sain—ballgame!

"And big Johnny Sane put that third one by Walter Judnick with the tying run on second base and the Boston Braves nip the Cleveland Indians in the first game of the 1948 World Series."
—Mel Allen (116:09)

Post-Game Analysis & Notable Quotes

• Summary and Totals:
  • Final Score: Boston Braves 1, Cleveland Indians 0
  • Hits: Braves 4, Indians 4
  • Errors: Elliott (Braves) 2
  • Pitching Lines:
    • Sain: 9 IP, 4 hits, 6 K, no runs
    • Feller: 8 IP, 2 runs (only 1 earned), 4 hits

"This was undoubtedly one of the great World Series games of all time. It certainly was one of the finest pitchers duels of modern times."
—Jim Britt (116:09)

• Historic Parallels:
  • Allen draws comparisons between Bob Feller and Walter Johnson, both considered “hard-luck” pitchers due to World Series misfortunes.
  • Emphasizes the fulfillment and heartbreak of finally reaching the Fall Classic.

Notable Quotes

“There’s a bit of a breeze blowing. It’s somewhat cool, but not too cold. The wind is blowing in from right field toward home plate, so that left-handed pull hitters will not be aided exactly by the wind.”
—Mel Allen (03:12)

“Bobby Feller is considered by most baseball observers to be… the modern Walter Johnson.”
—Mel Allen (116:09)

Important Timestamps

• [00:17] – Beginning of live pre-game coverage, scene-setting anecdotes
• [12:01] – First pitch by Johnny Sain; top of the 1st inning
• [24:40] – First hit of the game (Keltner, Cleveland, single to left)
• [44:44] – Cleveland’s Joe Gordon singles and steals second; Braves threatened
• [88:34] – Spectacular fielding play: Eddie Robinson to Bob Feller
• [97:36] – 8th inning, Bill Salkeld draws a walk; Braves set up scoring chance
• [107:08] – Tommy Holmes’s game-winning RBI single, Braves take 1–0 lead
• [116:09] – Top of 9th, Boudreau drives out to deep left center; Keltner reaches second; Judnick strikes out to end it

Memorable Moments

• Atmospheric Color: Mel Allen’s poetic narration and historical context bring 1940s baseball to life.
• Pitchers’ Duel: Both Feller and Sain are in peak form, neutralizing offense and creating an aura of mounting, taut excitement.
• Dramatic Finish: Holmes’s game-winning single is built up with mounting tension, and the final out is called with classic radio drama.

Episode Takeaways

This vintage World Series broadcast is a quintessential slice of Americana, encapsulating both the artistry of radio sportscasting and the drama of a closely-contested ballgame. The show’s original audio immerses listeners into the tension, poetry, and history of the nation’s pastime—well before the television era.

For fans of baseball history or classic radio, this episode delivers a rich, captivating account of baseball at its strategic, suspenseful best.