RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
Frank Messer was an American sportscaster best known for his work as a play-by-play announcer for the New York Yankees. Born on August 8, 1925, in Asheville, North Carolina, Messer began his broadcasting career in the 1950s. His journey into the world of sports broadcasting started in the minor leagues, where he honed his skills and developed a
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1977 ALCS G4 - New York Yankees vs Kansas City Royals - Radio Broadcast
On October 8, 1977, the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals faced off in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series at Royals Stadium. The Yankees, under manager Billy Martin, were aiming for another World Series appearance and sent Ed Figueroa to the mound. The Royals, managed by Whitey Herzog, were looking to keep their season alive, with Larry Gura starting for Kansas City. New York had been powered all season by key players like Thurman Munson and Reggie Jackson, while Kansas City relied heavily on George Brett and Hal McRae to drive their offense.
The game opened with a fast pace, as Mickey Rivers led off the game with a double, eventually scoring to give the Yankees an early lead. New York built a 4-0 advantage by the third inning, but the Royals quickly answered back in the bottom of the third and fourth innings, with Freddie Patek and Frank White delivering key hits to narrow the deficit to 5-4. Both teams’ offenses quieted down after the early scoring bursts, as the game turned into a battle of the bullpens. Sparky Lyle came in for the Yankees and shut down the Royals' bats, while Kansas City's bullpen, led by Marty Pattin, kept the Yankees from extending their lead.
In the top of the ninth inning, New York added an insurance run on a sacrifice fly from Thurman Munson, and Lyle closed out the game in the bottom half, securing a 6-4 victory.
The decisive Game 5 of the 1977 American League Championship Series featured the New York...
1977 ALCS G5 - New York Yankees vs Kansas City Royals - Radio Broadcast / The decisive Game 5 of the 1977 American League Championship Series featured the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals at Royals Stadium. The Yankees were on the brink of another World Series appearance under the leadership of manager Billy Martin, while the Royals, managed by Whitey Herzog, were determined to break through to their first-ever World Series. The Yankees sent left-hander Ron Guidry to the mound, who had been reliable throughout the season, while Kansas City countered with their veteran southpaw Paul Splittorff. Both teams were in fine form, with Kansas City relying heavily on George Brett and Hal McRae, and New York banking on their power-laden lineup, led by Thurman Munson and Reggie Jackson.
The Royals took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, courtesy of a triple by George Brett that scored Hal McRae. Kansas City added another run in the third, with Al Cowens driving in McRae to make it 3-1. The Yankees battled back, with a key RBI single from Thurman Munson in the third inning and a clutch RBI from Reggie Jackson in the eighth inning to close the gap to 3-2. In the ninth inning, New York rallied for three runs, capitalizing on a defensive error by Brett and a critical single from Mickey Rivers. Sparky Lyle came in to shut down Kansas City's final attempts, and the Yankees secured the victory to advance to the World Series.
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On April 10, 1976, the New York Yankees faced off against the Milwaukee Brewers at...
1976 New York Yankees vs Milwaukee Brewers - Classic Baseball Radio Broadcast / On April 10, 1976, the New York Yankees faced off against the Milwaukee Brewers at County Stadium, bringing a mix of challenges and expectations to each team. The Yankees, led by starting pitcher Ed Figueroa, were looking to make a strong showing early in the season, while the Brewers, with Bill Travers starting on the mound, aimed to capitalize on their home field advantage. This game was notable early in the season, testing the mettle of both teams, with the Yankees striving to establish dominance and the Brewers looking to upset a perennial powerhouse.
The game remained scoreless until the fourth inning when the Brewers broke the ice, gradually building a lead with strategic hits and taking advantage of the Yankees' fielding errors. By the middle of the sixth inning, the Brewers had extended their lead to 6-0, underscoring a strong offensive performance. However, the Yankees rallied in the seventh inning, marking a significant turning point in the game. Key hits included a home run by Thurman Munson and multiple RBI singles that sparked a comeback. The tension heightened in the ninth inning, with the Yankees adding five more runs to seal their lead, highlighted by key contributions from Lou Piniella and Chris Chambliss.
Ultimately, the Yankees overcame their early stumbles to win 9-7 in a comeback victory that underscored their resilience and depth. The Brewers, despite a strong start, were unable to hold off the late surge from the Yankees.
On May 1, 1973, the New York Yankees hosted the Kansas City Royals at Yankee...
1973 Kansas City Royals vs New York Yankees - Radio Broadcast / On May 1, 1973, the New York Yankees hosted the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium in an evening matchup that featured Steve Kline for the Yankees against Ken Wright of the Royals. Both teams were looking to gain footing early in the season, with the Yankees aiming to rebound from a disappointing fifth-place finish in the AL East in 1972. The Royals, still a relatively young franchise, were continuing to build their team identity and improve upon their performance in the AL West.
The game began with both pitchers holding the line, but the Yankees broke through in the second inning, scoring two runs facilitated by a sequence of hits and a fielding error by the Royals' catcher, Fran Healy. The Royals managed to cut the deficit in the third inning when John Mayberry drove in Freddie Patek, but that would be the extent of their scoring. The pivotal moment came in the seventh inning when the Yankees, led by Bobby Murcer's three-run homer, extended their lead significantly, capitalizing on reliever Tom Burgmeier's struggles to seal the game's fate.
The Yankees won the game 6-1, illustrating their capability to execute in key moments, a theme that would resonate throughout their 1973 season as they fought for, and eventually won, the AL East title.
As the calendar flipped to September 29, 1971, the New York Yankees were set to...
1971-Sep-29 • NYY/WAS • New York Yankees vs Washington Senators - Radio Broadcast / As the calendar flipped to September 29, 1971, the New York Yankees were set to square off against the Washington Senators in what was a routine late-season contest. The Yankees, having had a middling season, were trying to finish strong. The Senators, on the other hand, were in the midst of their final season before moving to Texas to become the Rangers, a fact that added a certain poignancy to every game they played. This particular match-up was notable for the fact that it was one of the last games the Senators would play in Washington D.C., a fact that was not lost on the fans or the players. The air was thick with nostalgia, and the typically straightforward game of baseball took on a different hue, as every pitch, every swing, and every cheer echoed with the weight of history.
The Detroit Tigers had a solid season in 1970, finishing with a respectable record. Their...
Detroit Tigers vs New York Yankees - Radio Broadcast / The Detroit Tigers had a solid season in 1970, finishing with a respectable record. Their roster included talented players like Al Kaline, Norm Cash, and Bill Freehan. In August, the Tigers had a mixed month with some impressive wins and occasional setbacks. They remained competitive in the American League East division race throughout the season, but ultimately fell short of the division title.
The New York Yankees, known for their storied history, had a strong team in 1970. Led by manager Ralph Houk, the Yankees featured star players like Thurman Munson, Bobby Murcer, and Mel Stottlemyre. In August, the Yankees had a remarkable performance, winning several key games and solidifying their position at the top of the American League East division. They continued their dominant form throughout the season, securing the division title.
In August, both the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees were closely watching each other's performance, as they were fierce competitors in the AL East division race. The Tigers had some memorable victories during this month, keeping their hopes alive for a postseason berth. However, they also faced some tough losses that hindered their chances of catching up to the Yankees.
On the other hand, the Yankees had a fantastic August, showcasing their offensive prowess and pitching strength. They went on a winning streak, distancing themselves from their division rivals and solidifying their position as the team to beat in the American League East. Their consistent performances during August played a crucial role in their eventual division title victory.