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.
Ken Boyer, a third baseman known for his exceptional skills on the field, played a vital role in Major League Baseball during his career. Born on May 20, 1931, in Liberty, Missouri, Boyer grew up in a family with a strong baseball background. He was one of 14 children, and several of his brothers also pursued careers in
Close
New York Mets vs St. Louis Cardinals - Clincher - Radio Broadcast
On Sunday, October 4, 1964, the St. Louis Cardinals hosted the New York Mets at Busch Stadium I. The Cardinals' starting pitcher was Curt Simmons, a seasoned left-handed veteran who had been a key part of the team's rotation throughout the year. On the mound for the Mets was Galen Cisco, a right-hander who had struggled at times during the season. The Cardinals were in the midst of a tight pennant race, while the Mets, only in their third season, were still finding their footing in the league. The game held significant implications for the Cardinals, who were vying for a spot in the World Series. Meanwhile, the Mets were looking to play spoiler and finish their season on a high note.
The game started off as a pitcher's duel, with both teams failing to score in the first inning. However, the Cardinals broke the deadlock in the second inning, and the game quickly became a back-and-forth affair. The Mets' Charley Smith hit a solo home run in the fourth inning, and the team added two more runs in the fifth. The Cardinals responded each time, with key hits from their lineup, including doubles from Tim McCarver, Dick Groat, and Ken Boyer. The Cardinals' offense really took off in the sixth inning, with a two-run home run from Bill White, and they added three more runs in the eighth to pull away from the Mets.
In the end, the Cardinals triumphed with an 11-5 victory over the Mets, a crucial win in their pursuit of the pennant. The Cardinals' win, along with the Philadelphia Phillies' loss on the same day, clinched the National League pennant for St. Louis, marking their first return to the World Series since 1946. The win also highlighted the depth of the Cardinals' lineup, with multiple players contributing key hits. The 1964 season was a memorable one, with the Cardinals eventually defeating the New York Yankees in the World Series, while the Mets, despite their loss in this game, continued to build their team, culminating in a World Series win just five years later in 1969.
In a captivating showdown at Shea Stadium on June 26, 1967, the New York Mets...
New York Mets vs Pittsburgh Pirates - Full Game Radio Broadcast / In a captivating showdown at Shea Stadium on June 26, 1967, the New York Mets faced the Pittsburgh Pirates in a night game that promised excitement. The Mets, with Bob Shaw on the mound, were looking to make a mark in their relatively young franchise history. The Pirates, with Steve Blass as their starting pitcher, were also eyeing victory. The game took place amid a season filled with its own narratives, including Roberto Clemente's stellar performance and the Mets' ongoing efforts to climb up from their expansion team struggles.
The game unfolded with a tense pitchers' duel, as both Shaw and Blass held the line through the early innings. The Pirates managed to break through first, with a run in the third inning, followed by a solo home run by Bill Mazeroski in the seventh. The Mets, however, kept the game within reach, showcasing resilience in their batting lineup. The real turning point came in the eighth inning when Ken Boyer hit a crucial two-run homer for the Mets, leveling the score. This set the stage for a dramatic ninth inning, where the Mets seized their opportunity to clinch a narrow victory.
The final score, Mets 3, Pirates 2, was a testament to the competitive nature of the 1967 season. This game, while just a single chapter in the long baseball season, was indicative of the Mets' fighting spirit and the Pirates' formidable play, reflective of Clemente's impressive season performance. As the season progressed, both teams continued to contribute to the rich tapestry of the 1967 baseball season, a year remembered for its close pennant races and memorable individual performances.
On Saturday, September 17, 1966, the San Francisco Giants faced off against the New York...
New York Mets vs San Francisco Giants - Radio Broadcast / On Saturday, September 17, 1966, the San Francisco Giants faced off against the New York Mets at Candlestick Park. The Giants handed the ball to their ace, Juan Marichal, while the Mets countered with Dennis Ribant. The 1966 season had been a challenging one for the Mets, who were still in the early years of their franchise and struggling to find consistent success. The Giants, on the other hand, were a more established team with a solid roster, including the legendary Willie Mays and the power-hitting first baseman Willie McCovey. As for the broader context of the season, the Baltimore Orioles were the team to beat in the American League, while the National League was being dominated by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The game started off as a pitching duel, with both Marichal and Ribant holding their respective opponents scoreless through the first three innings. The Giants broke the deadlock in the fourth, with McCovey launching a solo home run. He would add another solo shot in the fifth, giving the Giants a 3-0 lead. The Mets, however, would not go quietly. In the sixth inning, Ken Boyer and Al Luplow each hit solo home runs to cut the Giants' lead to one. Luplow would again come through in the clutch in the eighth, hitting a two-run homer to tie the game at 4-4.
The game remained tied until the tenth inning. Jim Hart led off the bottom of the inning with a solo home run to give the Giants a one-run lead. McCovey then solidified the Giants' victory with his third home run of the game, a two-run shot that sealed the 6-4 win for the Giants. The Mets' late-game rally, highlighted by Luplow's two home runs, was an exciting twist, but ultimately fell short.
In the grand scheme of the 1966 season, this game was a microcosm of the experiences of both teams. The Mets showed flashes of potential but struggled to put it all together, finishing the season in ninth place in the National League. The Giants, meanwhile, finished in second place in the National League, just 1.5 games behind the Dodgers. McCovey's three-home run performance was a highlight of his impressive season, in which he hit .295 with 36 home runs and 96 RBIs. Despite their strong season, the Giants fell short of the postseason, with the Dodgers representing the National League in the World Series against the Orioles.
1963 marked the first time in 5 years that only one game was played at...
1963 MLB All-Star Game - Radio Broadcast / 1963 marked the first time in 5 years that only one game was played at the midseason break. The game took place at Cleveland Stadium in front of only 44,000 in a ballpark that could hold twice as many. It didn't help that the Indians entered the break in 6th place, and their only representative on the all-star team was "Mudcat" Grant , who didn't even see any action. The game was notable however in that Stan Musial made his 24th and final appearance in the all-star game. And youngster Carl Yastrzemski would make his 1st of 18 future appearances.
On April 11, 1962, the St. Louis Cardinals hosted the New York Mets at Busch...
1962 New York Mets vs St. Louis Cardinals - Radio Broadcast / On April 11, 1962, the St. Louis Cardinals hosted the New York Mets at Busch Stadium I, marking a notable early-season matchup. The game featured starting pitchers who faced the daunting task of navigating through lineups filled with potential. This encounter came at a time when the Mets, newly introduced to the league, were establishing their identity, while the Cardinals, with a storied history, aimed to continue their tradition of excellence. Significant for the Mets was their effort to carve out a foothold in the league against established teams like the Cardinals, whose lineup boasted seasoned players capable of explosive offense.
During the game, the Cardinals demonstrated their offensive strength early on, putting up a solid performance that included multiple multi-hit innings. Key players for the Cardinals, such as Roger Carr and Bert Jones, connected well, driving in crucial runs. The Mets, despite being outmatched, showed flashes of resilience, with players like Neal and Hodges contributing home runs. The game unfolded with the Cardinals consistently building on their lead, capitalizing on strategic hits and taking advantage of the Mets' fielding errors, which were indicative of their growing pains as a new team in the league.
The final score, Cardinals 11 and Mets 4, reflected the difference in experience and cohesion between the two teams at that point in the season. The Cardinals' ability to execute offensively and their efficient use of scoring opportunities highlighted their game strategy and depth. For the Mets, the game was a learning experience, underscoring the challenges of competing in the major leagues.
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 Ken Boyer / Hosted by retired NFL star Kyle Rote, these 5-minute programs feature interviews with some of the top figures in sports during 1962
