Listen To A Recreated Radio Broadcast, Reds at Cubs, July 29, 1945.

[Ewan Spence]

Hi all,

Ewan Spence here, the commentator for the Scottish Baseball National League (yes, we have baseball in Scotland, yes, we broadcast it, it's small but we love our Single-A and Triple-A leagues). As well as commentating on the modern game, my wife and I work on the Classic Baseball Radio podcast, where we've been recreating the AM Radio broadcasts of yesteryear with as many records and scorecards as we can find, a bundle of foley effects, and some terribly not-modern squelching of audio clarity.

I reached out to Brock, and he suggested I post links to our latest game in the Forum. It's from July 29 1945, as the Cincinnati Reds visit the Chicago Cubs.

Podcast, Links To All Platforms: https://podnews.net/podcast/iaq9r
YouTube Short, ft Stan Hack, Don Johnson, and Bill Nicholson in the bottom of the first( a good 'this is what we sound like' starting point): https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LPiGAhA82cs

Show Notes:

 

Quote

 

The Chicago Cubs are on a tear. The Northside faithful can feel a dynasty building beneath their feet, with every pitch, every hit, and every run coming home. And now they have a hero.

In what was seen as the most lopsided and controversial transfers in baseball, even while it was happening, the New York Yankees placed their star pitcher Hank Borowy on waivers, and the Cubs slammed $100,000 into the Bronx Bombers’ outstretched hands. The Cubs needed to win right now, and the chequebook  is wide open. 

Two days after he went on waivers, Borowy is stepping on the mound at Wrigley Field, ready to prove the Yankees wrong and take his new club to the National League pennant. It’s a five-game series against the Cincinnati Reds, and the Cubs have won the first four games. Handing his new team a sweep would make for a memorable first game.

It’s also worth noting that we have players such as the anchorman Stan Hack at third base, and Phil Cavarretta on his way to the NL Batting Championship and the 1945 NL MVP, for the Cubs. For the Reds, you have the inspirational Dick Sipek, the first deaf player in the majors since Herbert Murphy in 1914, and the Iron Man Frank McCormick, fresh from his 652 consecutive appearances record during World War 2.

The Cubs are heading to the top of the mountain; they are unstoppable, and they have the world at their feet. But, as we know thanks to the advantage of history,  there’s a billy goat waiting for the Cubs at the end of the season. 

Until that happens, let’s share the joy in Wrigley Field as the Cubs charge towards the pennant with their brand new pitcher.

Ewan Spence and the Classic Baseball Radio team bring you this recreated radio broadcast from July 29, 1945. This should not be considered a complete or fully accurate historical record. Nevertheless, this is our story of the game.

 

It's not going to be for everyone, but I hope some of you enjoy it!

-- Ewan