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.
James William "Junior" Gilliam, known for his exceptional skills on the baseball field, played a vital role in the history of the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. Born on October 17, 1928, in Nashville, Tennessee, Gilliam's journey to the major leagues began in the Negro Leagues, where he played for the Baltimore Elite Giants. His talent caught the
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1957 Chicago Cubs vs Brooklyn Dodgers - Radio Broadcast
On July 20, 1957, the Brooklyn Dodgers faced the Chicago Cubs at Ebbets Field in a mid-season matchup. Don Drysdale took the mound for the Dodgers, while Dave Hillman started for the Cubs. At this point in the season, the Dodgers were in a close race in the National League, trying to keep pace with the Milwaukee Braves. The Cubs, on the other hand, were struggling to climb out of the lower half of the standings. Key players like Duke Snider and Gil Hodges were crucial for the Dodgers’ offense, while the Cubs relied on Ernie Banks and Lee Walls for their batting strength.
The game began with the Cubs scoring an early run in the first inning, but the Dodgers quickly responded with a four-run outburst in their half of the first, highlighted by a two-run double from Gino Cimoli. Don Drysdale settled in after a shaky start, while the Dodgers added insurance runs with a solo homer from Randy Jackson in the sixth inning and another from Duke Snider in the eighth. The Cubs mounted a late rally in the seventh inning, with Ernie Banks hitting a three-run homer, and added another run in the ninth on Banks’ second homer of the game, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Dodgers’ lead.
In the end, the Dodgers secured a 7-5 victory, thanks to a strong start from Drysdale and timely hitting. With this win, the Dodgers remained competitive in the pennant race, showcasing their resilience and depth. Ernie Banks' performance for the Cubs highlighted his power-hitting capability, though it was insufficient to change the game's outcome. The season continued with both teams striving for different goals, the Dodgers aiming for a postseason berth and the Cubs looking to build for the future.
On October 3, 1962, the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers faced off at...
1962 NL Tie-breaker G3 - San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers Radio / On October 3, 1962, the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers faced off at Dodger Stadium in a critical matchup, closing the National League's regular season. The Giants, led by right-hander Juan Marichal, entered this game needing a win to continue their pursuit of a postseason berth, while the Dodgers, starting left-hander Johnny Podres, were looking to halt the Giants' momentum and secure their spot. The game was emblematic of the fierce rivalry and high stakes that defined the season, as both teams were battling for the National League pennant in one of the most tightly contested races of the decade.
The game itself was a back-and-forth battle, with the Giants taking an early lead in the third inning, capitalizing on a series of defensive miscues by the Dodgers. San Francisco held that slim margin until the sixth inning, when Dodgers third baseman Tommy Davis launched a two-run homer to give Los Angeles a brief lead. Maury Wills, always a threat on the bases, added to the Dodgers' edge by stealing multiple bases, including his 104th of the season. However, the Giants orchestrated a dramatic ninth-inning rally, led by Willie Mays and Orlando Cepeda, to reclaim control and secure the victory with a four-run burst.
With this win, the Giants forced a tie with the Dodgers, necessitating a tiebreaker playoff to determine the National League champion. The intense pennant race, marked by remarkable performances from players like Wills and Mays, would ultimately see the Giants advance, although they would fall short in the World Series against the New York Yankees. The game remains a key moment in a storied rivalry and a pivotal chapter in the Giants' and Dodgers' long-standing competition.
#giants #dodgers #williemays #maurywills #juanmarichal #johnnypodres #nationalleague #nlpennant #1962
The Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium in a pivotal...
1962 NL Tie-breaker G2 - San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers Radio / The Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium in a pivotal late-season matchup. The Dodgers were in a tight pennant race with the Giants and the NL-leading Pittsburgh Pirates, while the Giants were also jockeying for position in the playoff hunt. Veteran right-handers Don Drysdale of the Dodgers and Billy O'Dell of the Giants took the mound, with both teams looking to gain an advantage in the standings.
The game started as a pitcher's duel, with the Giants scratching across a run in the 2nd inning on an RBI double by Felipe Alou. However, the Dodgers erupted for 7 runs in the 6th inning, highlighted by a bases-clearing double by Jim Gilliam and a key error by Giants catcher Ed Bailey. The Giants fought back, plating 4 runs in the 6th to cut the deficit to 7-5. They tied the game at 7-7 in the 8th on an unearned run, setting up a dramatic 9th inning.
In the bottom of the 9th, the Dodgers loaded the bases and Maury Wills scored the winning run on a sacrifice fly by Tommy Davis, giving Los Angeles an 8-7 victory. The win kept the Dodgers in the thick of the pennant race, while the Giants fell further back. The 1962 season would go down to the wire, with the Dodgers ultimately edging the Giants by 4 games to claim the National League title.
#MauryWills #DonDrysdale #TommyDavis #FelipeAlou #SanFranciscoGiants #LosAngelesDodgers #DodgerStadium #PennantRace
The San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers faced off in Game 1 of a...
1962 NL Tie-breaker G1 - Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Francisco Giants Radio / The San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers faced off in Game 1 of a best-of-three tiebreaker series on October 1, 1962, at Candlestick Park to determine the National League pennant winner. Both teams had finished the regular season with identical 101-61 records, forcing this playoff. The Giants sent Billy Pierce to the mound against the Dodgers' ace Sandy Koufax. This matchup was particularly significant as the Dodgers had just endured a late-season collapse, losing six of their last seven games and failing to score in their final 21 innings. Meanwhile, the Giants had surged, winning five of their last seven to force this tiebreaker.
The Giants wasted no time in breaking the Dodgers' scoreless streak, as Willie Mays hit a two-run homer in the first inning off Koufax. Jim Davenport added a solo shot in the second, chasing Koufax from the game after just one-plus innings. The Giants continued to pour it on, with Mays hitting his second home run of the game in the sixth inning, followed immediately by an Orlando Cepeda homer. Meanwhile, Pierce was dominant on the mound for San Francisco, keeping the Dodgers' bats quiet throughout the game. The Giants added three more runs in the eighth to put the game out of reach.
The final score was 8-0 in favor of the Giants, giving them a 1-0 lead in the tiebreaker series. Pierce pitched a complete game shutout, allowing just three hits while striking out six. Mays finished the game 3-for-3 with two home runs, three RBIs, and three runs scored. This victory put the Giants one win away from the National League pennant. They would go on to win the series in three games, advancing to face the New York Yankees in the World Series, which the Yankees would win in seven games.
#WillieMays #BillyPierce #SandyKoufax #OrlandoCepeda #JimDavenport #1962NLPennantRace #GiantsDodgersRivalry #CandlestickPark #NLTiebreaker #MLBPlayoffs
Hosted by retired NFL star Kyle Rote, these 5-minute programs feature interviews with some of the top figures in sports
Tops-in-Sports interview with Jim Gilliam / Hosted by retired NFL star Kyle Rote, these 5-minute programs feature interviews with some of the top figures in sports during 1962
During the month of August 1957, the Pirates found themselves in a tight pennant race...
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Los Angeles Dodgers - Radio Broadcast / During the month of August 1957, the Pirates found themselves in a tight pennant race with the Milwaukee Braves. They were battling for the top spot in the league, and every game mattered. Led by legendary outfielder Roberto Clemente and slugger Hank Aaron, the Pirates and Braves engaged in an intense race that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The Dodgers, on the other hand, were also performing well in August. Led by their star player, Duke Snider, and bolstered by the strong pitching of Don Drysdale, the Dodgers were staying within striking distance of the leading teams.
Throughout the month, both the Pirates and Dodgers played numerous crucial games against each other and other top teams in the league. These matchups were closely contested, often decided by the narrowest of margins.
By the end of August 1957, the Pirates had managed to maintain their position in the race for the National League pennant. Their star players, like Clemente, delivered key performances to keep them in contention. However, the Dodgers were hot on their heels, determined to seize any opportunity to overtake the Pirates and secure the top spot.
As the season progressed, the Pirates and Dodgers continued to battle it out until the final games of the regular season. The race for the pennant remained incredibly tight, making the 1957 season one of the most memorable and exciting in baseball history. Ultimately, the team that prevailed would have the honor of competing in the World Series and contend for the championship title.
The 1957 baseball season witnessed an intense rivalry between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Cincinnati...
Brooklyn Dodgers vs Cincinnati Redlegs - Scully - Radio Broadcast / The 1957 baseball season witnessed an intense rivalry between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds. Both teams were formidable contenders in the National League, with August serving as a crucial month that showcased their strengths and weaknesses.
The Brooklyn Dodgers, led by stars such as Duke Snider and Gil Hodges, were known for their powerful hitting and solid pitching staff. In August, the Dodgers showcased their offensive prowess, consistently producing runs and maintaining a strong position in the league. Their pitching rotation, anchored by future Hall of Famer Don Drysdale, also delivered stellar performances, ensuring the team remained competitive throughout the month.
On the other side, the Cincinnati Reds posed a formidable challenge to the Dodgers' dominance. Led by the legendary Frank Robinson and supported by strong pitching from players like Joe Nuxhall, the Reds proved to be fierce competitors. In August, the Reds displayed resilience, with both their offense and pitching excelling at crucial moments. This intense rivalry between the Dodgers and the Reds heightened the excitement for fans and set the stage for a captivating battle for the National League pennant.
This 1957 regular season game at Ebbets field sees the Brooklyn Dodgers hosting the...
Chicago Cubs vs Brooklyn Dodgers - Radio Broadcast / This 1957 regular season game at Ebbets field sees the Brooklyn Dodgers hosting the Chicago Cubs. On the mound are two young pitchers, the Cubs rookie Dick Drott and the Dodger's Sandy Koufax. At this point, Koufax is in his 3rd season and this game is his his 21st career start.
The legendary Vin Scully calls the game In his 8th year in the broadcast booth and the Dodgers final season in Brooklyn.