Ernie Harwell - 1950s Giants and Orioles - Radio Interview Part 4 of 8

29 minutes

In this 2006 audio segment, Ernie Harwell, the legendary voice of baseball, shares his experiences from his early broadcasting career with the New York Giants and the Baltimore Orioles, prior to his iconic tenure with the Detroit Tigers. Known for his warm, eloquent delivery and deep connection with baseball fans, Harwell’s recounting of his time with these two teams offers a rare insight into the formative years of his illustrious career. The clip provides a glimpse into Major League Baseball during the mid-20th century, through the eyes of one of its most eloquent narrators. At this point, Harwell had been retired, yet his narratives and memories continued to resonate with a sense of timelessness and passion for the game.

Reflecting on the period before he became synonymous with Detroit baseball, Harwell discusses the distinct atmospheres, key players, and memorable games associated with the Giants and Orioles. His tenure with these teams laid the foundation for a broadcasting career that would endear him to millions of fans and leave an indelible mark on the sport. This segment is not just a trip down memory lane but a masterclass in the history and evolution of baseball broadcasting. It showcases the early stages of a career that would profoundly influence how the sport was experienced by fans around the world.

F i l t e r   &   S o r t 
Baltimore Orioles faced the Toronto Blue Jays at Memorial Stadium. The Orioles sent their ace, Jim Palmer, to the mound, while the Blue Jays countered with their own starter, Gary Todd. At this point in the season, the Orioles were in a tight race for the American League East title, while the Blue Jays were struggling to stay out of the division basement. The 1980 season was also notable for the rise of young stars in the league, with players like Rickey Henderson making waves with their performances. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to hold onto a lead for long. The Blue Jays jumped out to an early lead, but the Orioles fought back, with a key home run from Al Bumbry in the 3rd inning. The Blue Jays, however, were able to respond with a home run of their own from Dave Hodgson in the 6th inning. The Orioles' bullpen, led by Dennis Martinez, was able to keep the game close, despite the Blue Jays' offense showing signs of life. The game turned into a seesaw battle, with the lead changing hands multiple times. In the late innings, the Orioles' offense came alive, with key hits from Ken Singleton and Doug DeCinces. The Orioles' bullpen was able to hold off a late rally from the Blue Jays, with Tippy Martinez picking up the win in relief. The Orioles' 8-6 victory over the Blue Jays was a key win in their push for the postseason. However, despite this victory, the Orioles would ultimately fall short of the playoffs, finishing second in the American League East. The 1980 season was a memorable one for the Orioles, with Eddie Murray having a standout year and finishing second in the MVP voting. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays continued their struggles, finishing last in the division. Despite their struggles, the Blue Jays had some bright spots, with Lloyd Moseby establishing himself as a future star.
Baltimore Orioles hosted the New York Yankees at Memorial Stadium for a day game. the Orioles opened the scoring in the first inning with a run from Brandt, driven in by a double from Robinson. the Yankees couldn't respond, despite a single from Kubek, as Maris grounded into a double play. the second inning saw both teams held scoreless, with the Yankees striking out twice and the Orioles leaving two on base. the game progressed with the Orioles gradually extending their lead. They added two runs in the fourth inning, another in the fifth off a solo home run from Dropo, and a final run in the seventh inning. Meanwhile, the Yankees' offense was held in check by Pappas, the Orioles' pitcher, who gave up only three hits and struck out nine Yankees over the course of the game. the Yankees had a particularly difficult time in the third inning, going down in order with two strikeouts and a groundout. the Orioles' 5-0 victory over the Yankees was largely due to Pappas's stellar pitching performance, which earned him the win. Ford, the Yankees' starting pitcher, took the loss. Following this game, Pappas's record improved to 13-8 while Ford's dropped to 9-8. As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, I don't have the specific historical data for the 1960 season. However, both the Yankees and Orioles were competitive teams during this period. the Yankees, in particular, were in the midst of a successful era, having won the World Series in 1958 and going on to win again in 1961 and 1962. This loss would have been a minor setback in their season, but not a decisive factor in their overall performance.