Harold's Old Time Radio – 1959 Baseball: White Sox at Dodgers

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: March 22, 2026
Game Aired: 1959 World Series Game 5: Chicago White Sox at Los Angeles Dodgers
Location: Los Angeles Coliseum

Episode Overview

This episode transports listeners back to a defining moment in baseball history: Game 5 of the 1959 World Series, as the Chicago White Sox fight for survival against the Los Angeles Dodgers. With the Dodgers leading the series 3-1, the stakes are immense—either LA clinches the championship at home or the Sox extend the contest back to Chicago. The broadcast features rich play-by-play from Byram Somme and Mel Allen, offering classic golden-age radio storytelling and electrifying, moment-by-moment action.

Key Discussion Points & Game Storyline

1. Opening Scene & Lineups (01:01–03:46)

• Host sets the dramatic scene at the LA Coliseum with over 92,000 fans awaiting what could be the deciding game.
• National Anthems and the presentation of the colors set the patriotic, high-stakes atmosphere.
• Lineup Changes:
  • White Sox lead-off: Luis Aparicio (SS), Fox (2B), Landis (CF), Lawler (C), Kluszewski (1B), Smith (RF), Phillips (3B), McEnany (LF), Shaw (P).
  • Dodgers: Gilliam (3B), Neal (2B), Moon (RF), Larker (LF), Hodges (1B), Demeter (CF), Roseboro (C), Wills (SS), Koufax (P).

“The question is, will the World Series be ended right here today, or will we move back to Comiskey Park?” —Byram Somme (09:35)

2. Pitching Duel: Shaw vs. Koufax (Throughout)

• Chicago's Bob Shaw and LA's Sandy Koufax face off in a tense, low-scoring duel.
• Both pitchers' seasonal stats and styles discussed—Koufax's blazing fastball versus Shaw's sinkers and determination.
• Early innings dominated by pitching and solid defense; low hit counts reflect pressure.

“When he’s hot, he’s one of the toughest left handers to beat. Once in a while he runs into control trouble, but he has a blazing fastball.” —Byram Somme on Koufax (09:35)

3. Game Progression – Key Plays

Early Innings: Scoreless Tension

• 1st Inning Highlights:

  • Koufax retires White Sox on just seven pitches, all strikes.

    “Three consecutive strikes and Aparicio was looking one gone.” —Byram Somme (09:35)

  • Dodgers’ Gilliam singles, advances to second but is stranded after tight infield play by the Sox.

• White Sox Defensive Excellence:

  • Notable fielding by Aparicio and Fox, including a collision on a short fly that exemplifies the energy and nerves.

Third Inning: Action Rises

• White Sox Threaten:
  • Bubba Phillips singles, Aparicio singles, but again the Dodgers’ defense—especially outfielder Larker—prevents runs.
  • Aparicio is thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double after an excellent relay.

“The cutoff was beautifully done... And the throw into second base cut down Louis Aparicio.” —Byram Somme (35:13)

• Dodgers Mount a Challenge:
  • Back-to-back singles by Gilliam and Neal (missed Dingers by feet due to Coliseum’s high screen).
  • Dodgers leave two on after Fox fields a grounder for the third out.

4th Inning: White Sox Take the Lead (56:18–61:12)

• Nelson Fox singles, advanced by Landis’s single. Lawler hits into double play, but Fox scores.
• Only run of the game crosses the plate.

“Lawler has bounced into a double play... but the White Sox lead one to nothing.” —Byram Somme (56:18)

Middle Innings: Dodger Pressure & Sox Resilience

• Dodgers Respond:
  • In 4th, Hodges triples but is left stranded after clutch pitching and fielding.
• Koufax’s Mastery:
  • Notches six strikeouts, allows only five hits, keeps LA within reach the entire game despite lack of run support.

4. Late-Inning Drama

7th Inning:

• White Sox Threaten but Cannot Add Insurance:

  • Aparicio singles, but is left on base.
  • Lawler and Kluszewski are retired by Koufax.

• Dodgers Threaten:

  • Gilliam singles (his 4th hit of the day—a World Series record-tying performance).
  • Pinch hitters and pinch runners come in as the Dodgers load the bases due to walks and a wild pitch but…
  • Jim Rivera (recently entered as a defensive sub) makes a running, game-saving catch at the 400-foot mark in right center, robbing LA and preserving the 1-0 Sox lead.

"A tremendous catch by Jim Rivera as he raced over the right field to a 400 foot point in deep right center. An electrifying catch..." —Mel Allen (124:41)

8th Inning: Legendary Escapes (137:52–154:52)

• Wally Moon reaches on a sun-lost fly ball misjudged by Landis.
• Hodges singles, putting runners on second and third with one out.
• Intense strategy: LA pinch hits several times, Sox counter with pitching changes—Pierce walks Rapulski intentionally, Donovan comes in to pitch with bases loaded, one out.
• Clutch Pitching:
  • Carl Furillo pops out (infield fly rule), runners hold.
  • Don Zimmer flies out to shallow left, ending the massive threat.

"Donovan turns in a tremendous bit of clutch pitching in the eighth inning. No run, two hits, no errors, and three men left on at the end of the eighth inning." —Byram Somme (156:49)

9th Inning: White Sox Slam the Door (164:52–178:49)

• Williams retires Chicago in order (after some initial pressure).
• Bottom of the 9th: Dodger pinch-hitter Sherry grounds out. Gilliam (4-for-4 on the day) bounces out to Fox.
• With two outs, Charlie Neal grounds sharply to short; Aparicio makes the throw to first—
• FINAL: White Sox 1, Dodgers 0. The Sox stay alive.

"The White Sox are alive as they win it one to nothing. On the brink of losing out in this World Series, they hang on with brilliant clutch pitching by Dick Donovan." —Byram Somme (175:57)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Koufax’s Opening Brilliance:
  “I have never seen in the years that I’ve watched Koufax work a more beautiful first inning, seven pitches, three outs."
• Tension in the Eighth:
  “If anybody gets any further over to the end edges of their respective chairs and seats, they’ll fall off them, including us.” —Byram Somme (145:25)
• Heroic Defensive Stop:
  “A tremendous catch by Jim Rivera…an electrifying catch by Jim Rivera.” —Mel Allen (124:41)
• On Game’s Drama:
  “Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve just seen one of the most pulsating and spine tingling baseball games... The eighth inning alone was worth the price of admission.” —Byram Somme (179:29)

Important Timestamps & Segments

| Time | Segment/Event | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:01 | Starting lineups and stage setting by Byram Somme | | 03:46 | Pitcher matchup, crowd size, and game records overview | | 09:35 | Koufax’s electric 1st inning (all strikes, Sox retired) | | 16:55 | Dodgers’ first inning at-bat, Gilliam singles | | 35:13 | White Sox hit, Aparicio thrown out at 2nd | | 56:17 | White Sox score only run: Fox singled, Lawler GIDP, 1-0 Sox | | 124:41 | Jim Rivera’s game-saving outfield catch, 7th inn, 2 on, 2 out| | 137:52 | Dodgers’ sun-aided rally in 8th, bases loaded drama | | 156:49 | Donovan’s relief and escape in 8th, three men stranded | | 175:57 | Final 9th inning, Sox clinch the win | | 179:29 | Postgame summary and wrap-up by Byram Somme |

Summary: The Game’s Legacy

The 1959 World Series Game 5 stands as a testament to baseball at its most dramatic—a pitcher’s duel, brilliant defense, and clutch escapes under relentless pressure. Bob Shaw (White Sox) delivered a gutsy 7⅓ innings; Dick Donovan saved the day out of the bullpen; and Jim Rivera’s defensive heroics helped preserve the narrowest lead. Sandy Koufax pitched valiantly in defeat for LA.

The series moved back to Comiskey Park with the Dodgers ahead 3 games to 2. But for this single afternoon in LA, it was all about survival, strategy, and the timeless excitement of the Fall Classic—brought to life by the golden voices of old-time radio.