Harold's Old Time Radio – 1954 Baseball: Giants at Indians

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: March 20, 2026
Game: Game 3, 1954 World Series – New York Giants at Cleveland Indians
Summary by: Podcast Summarizer

Episode Overview

This special episode transports listeners back to the Golden Age of radio, recreating the drama and excitement of Game 3 of the 1954 World Series between the New York Giants and the Cleveland Indians. With vivid play-by-play, insightful interviews, and classic commentary, the broadcast brings fans into the heart of Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, where the Giants attempt to take a commanding lead in the series.

The episode combines pre-game interviews, inning-by-inning action, and post-game analysis, reflecting both the style and spirit of 1950s baseball broadcasts. The emphasis is on strategic moves, key plays, and standout performances, particularly from Giants pinch hitter Dusty Rhodes and pitcher Ruben Gomez. The radio call also features historic anecdotes and vibrant color, making it a treat for both long-time baseball fans and those new to baseball history.

Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. Pre-Game Interviews and Analysis (00:32–04:18)

• Al Rosen’s Injury and Perspective

  • Frank interviews Al Rosen, Cleveland’s third baseman, sidelined due to a thigh injury.
    • Rosen explains his limited availability:

      "Due to this thigh injury of mine, my right leg has been acting up quite bad. We feel I'd be of more value… in a pinch hitter's role or even playing in the later innings." (00:44)

  • Analysis of prior games:

    "We ran into magnificent pitching, terrific defensive ball club… They capitalized more on opportunities than we thought." (01:08)

  • Praise for Giants pitcher Johnny Antonelli and the challenge he posed.
  • Discussion about the impact, or lack thereof, of ballpark dimensions on play.

• Gillette Promotion and Record Book

  • Frank presents Rosen with a Gillette razor and the 1954 World Series record book, highlighting its depth and value for fans (03:15–04:18).

• Interview with Giants’ Johnny Antonelli

  • Antonelli expresses his excitement and composure during his first World Series start.

    "No, I don't think I was nervous. I believe I was trying a little harder." (04:54)

  • Frank praises the young pitcher’s poise under pressure.

2. Game Lineups and First Pitch Ceremony (08:52–12:06)

• Starting Lineups and Key Players
  • Giants: Notables include Willie Mays (CF), Whitey Lockman (1B), Alvin Dark (SS), Ruben Gomez (P).
  • Indians: Al Smith (LF), Bobby Avila (2B), Larry Doby (CF), Mike Garcia (P).
• Civic and ceremonial details:
  • Tris Speaker, the “Old Gray Eagle,” throws out the ceremonial first pitch.

3. Inning-By-Inning Highlights

First Inning (13:37–25:57)

• Giants Strike First
  • Whitey Lockman singles, advances on error.
  • Willie Mays singles in the first run, Giants lead 1–0.
  • Early trouble for Garcia, but he closes the inning with only one run allowed.

Second Inning (35:08–49:32)

• Indians Threaten but Fail to Score
  • Indians walk and bunt, but can't bring a run home.
  • Tight play from both teams, pitchers showing strong command.

Third Inning – Turning Point (61:18–72:13)

• Giants Break the Game Open
  • Single by Alvin Dark, followed by single from Don Mueller.
  • Walk to Thompson loads the bases.
  • Dusty Rhodes delivers a clutch single, driving in two runs:

    “Rhodes swings and it's a base hit for right field. In comes John Mueller to score the second run. Right behind him, some squadron Willie Mays… Dusty Rhodes batting here in the third inning... batted in seven runs for the New York Giants.” (66:36)

  • Giants execute a squeeze play—Williams sacrifices, scoring another run.
  • Giants score 3 in the inning, now up 4–0.

Fourth Inning (82:53–88:50)

• Cleveland Stymied
  • Doby singles, but a double play ends their threat.
  • Gomez continues to befuddle Indians hitters.

Fifth and Sixth Innings (99:45–111:06)

• Giants Extend Lead
  • Fifth: Giants’ Thompson doubles, Rhodes walked intentionally. Westrom singles in another run. Giants lead 5–0.
  • Sixth: Another RBI from Mays, Giants up 6–0.

    “Willie Mays has come through with his second hit today. And the Giants take a lead of six to nothing.” (110:23)

  • Reuben Gomez continues to pitch masterfully for New York.

Seventh Inning (120:11–129:04)

• Indians Finally on the Board
  • Vic Wertz homers to right-center for Cleveland’s first run.

    “Vic Wertz… drives going deep under direction … a home run. Indian first baseman coming up with hit number three and the Indian's first run of the day.” (123:22)

  • Score at end of 7: Giants 6, Indians 1.

Eighth Inning (130:01–149:35)

• Indians Rally Falls Short
  • Pinch hitter Bill Glynn doubles, then scores after a throwing error.
  • Final push is stifled by knuckleballing reliever Hoyt Wilhelm, striking out Wertz to end the inning with runners in scoring position.

    “Work swings and he misses. He struck him out. Wertz goes down swinging. And Mr. Wilhelm did a mighty fine job.” (149:11)

  • Score: Giants 6, Indians 2.

Ninth Inning and Game Wrap-Up (149:43–163:05)

• Giants Close it Out
  • Giants add two hits but fail to score, thanks to Cleveland’s defense.
  • Indians are retired 1-2-3 by Wilhelm:

    “And the Indians bite the dust. 1, 2, 3. No runs, no hits, nothing across. And the final score, New York, six runs, 10 hits, one error. Cleveland, two runs, four hits and two errors. The winning pitcher, Ruben Gomez.” (163:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Al Rosen on his limitations:
  “I can't help the ball club by trying to go all the way.” (00:44)

• Johnny Antonelli on World Series nerves:
  “No, I don't think I was nervous. I believe I was trying a little harder.” (04:54)

• Dusty Rhodes’s impact:
  “Dusty Rhodes, batting here in the third inning... batted in seven runs for the New York Giants.” (66:36)

• Vic Wertz’s home run:
  “Vic Wertz… home run over the right center field fence. It was a low lying drive, not a towering homer. First of all, that was very solidly hit.” (123:22)

• Bill Corum reviews Dusty Rhodes’ historic streak:
  “After Rhodes came in and his daily act… that was pretty much the ballgame. In the season and in this series as a pinch hitter, he's gone 18 for 48. And that is some pinch hitting.” (164:59)

Important Timestamps

• 00:32 – Frank interviews Al Rosen about injury and series status
• 04:43 – Johnny Antonelli on pressure and Leo Durocher’s mound visit
• 08:52 – Starting lineups
• 13:37 – First pitch and early Giants run
• 66:36 – Dusty Rhodes’ pivotal single in the third
• 123:22 – Vic Wertz home run, Indians’ first run
• 149:11 – Wertz strikes out vs. Wilhelm to end the eighth, stopping Cleveland’s rally
• 163:05 – Final call and summary statistics
• 164:55 – Bill Corum post-game analysis

Episode Flow and Tone

• Vivid, urgent, and descriptive: The announcers convey every pitch, play, and baseball nuance in rapid, engaging detail, staying true to the 1950s radio tone.
• Expert interviews: Provide behind-the-scenes perspectives from star players and managers.
• In-game analysis: Emphasizes pitching tactics, defensive strengths, and key at-bats.
• Memorable color commentary: Weaves in baseball history and situational context (e.g., importance of the Gillette record book, anecdotes about past World Series).
• Dramatic arc: The Giants’ pivotal third inning swings the momentum; Cleveland’s late attempts are halted by pitching and timely defense.

Final Score and Key Takeaways

Final Score:

• New York Giants: 6 runs, 10 hits, 1 error
• Cleveland Indians: 2 runs, 4 hits, 2 errors

Winning Pitcher: Ruben Gomez
Losing Pitcher: Mike Garcia

Noteworthy Stats:

• Dusty Rhodes: 7 RBI across the World Series as of Game 3—remarkable pinch-hit streak.
• Willie Mays: 3-for-5, key RBI hits.
• Cleveland stranded numerous runners; their bats stifled by Giants pitching.

Summary: The Giants’ combined hitting strength and pitching depth, especially Dusty Rhodes’ clutch bat, overpowered the Indians. Ruben Gomez’s poised performance and Hoyt Wilhelm’s relief sealed the win. Cleveland’s inability to convert base runners, despite occasional rallies, kept them from mounting a serious comeback. The Giants take a 3–0 lead in the series, seemingly on course for a historic sweep.

(For a full flavor of the period and the thrill of live action, listeners are encouraged to imagine themselves around the radio with family—“when the family all sat around the radio and listened to the shows of the time”—as this broadcast aims to re-capture.)