Vintage Baseball Radio Interviews - Chicago Baseball Museum

Remembering WGN and the Cubs:
Cardwell no-no got Cholly jolly post-game

Vintage baseball radio: Don Cardwell (left) thrilled WGN-TV viewers as he bore down on his no-hitter in the ninth. Analyst Charlie Grimm (right) was pretty much a spectator while Jack Quinlan handled the riveting play-by-play on WGN-Radio, but was very expressive amid the post-game hoopla.

Don Cardwell (left) thrilled WGN-TV viewers as he bore down on his no-hitter in the ninth. Analyst Charlie Grimm (right) was pretty much a spectator while Jack Quinlan handled the riveting play-by-play on WGN-Radio, but was very expressive amid the post-game hoopla.

The Chicago Baseball Museum is presenting a series of five podcasts commemorating the 57-year relationship between WGN Radio and the Cubs that is ending this season.

The vintage segment presented here originally aired on WGN on Sunday afternoon, May 15, 1960. Almost the entire top of the ninth of newly-acquired Cubs pitcher Don Cardwell’s no-hitter is replayed with the incomparable Jack Quinlan’s riveting play-by-play. Interestingly, Charlie Grimm, ol’ “Jolly Cholly” himself, said practically nothing during the final three outs to add perspective. Just a week earlier, Grimm was involved in another strange P.K. Wrigley move. After starting the season with his third tenure as Cubs manager, Grimm traded jobs in the broadcast booth with analyst Lou Boudreau, former manager of the Indians, Red Sox and Athletics.

After Cardwell completed his no-no and did a hectic on-field TV-radio interview with Vince Lloyd, Quinlan turned over the mic to Grimm to describe the wild scene in which thousands of happy fans stormed Wrigley Field. Grimm was impressed, considering he had seen many dramatic events as a Cub. The clip apparently is the only surviving record of Grimm’s radio work that had dated back to the 1930s, right after his successful first stint as manager.

Remembering WGN and the Cubs:
Mottlow does 1959 game via ticker

Red Mottlow later in his life. In 1959, he filled in on one of WGN’s last Western Union ticker baseball broadcasts.

The Chicago Baseball Museum is presenting a series of five podcasts commemorating the 57-year relationship between WGN Radio and the Cubs that is ending this season.

The vintage segment presented here originally aired on WGN on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 5, 1959. On days when the Cubs were off or playing at night on the road, the station aired other games re-created by Western Union ticker. On Sept. 5, all the regular station sports announcers were not available for the broadcast. WGN writer-producer Red Mottlow, who had re-created Triple-A games in Minneapolis only a few years earlier, was tapped to fill in.

Mottlow, a Chicago native and graduate of Marshall High School, handled a Reds-Braves game. Later on, in the mid-1960s, he became the first Chicago radio sportscaster to carry a tape recorder into the locker room and eventually co-hosted the Diamond Gems baseball show. On a Diamond Gems in 1998, Mottlow recalled how he handled the ticker re-creation in the studio. That segment, along with a half-inning of his play-by-play, is featured here.

Remembering WGN and the Cubs: A rookie’s call of Musial’s 3,000th hit

As a rookie announcer, Lou Boudreau (left) managed to craft a decent play-by-play of Stan Musial’s (right) 3,000th hit at Wrigley Field in 1958

The Chicago Baseball Museum is presenting a series of five podcasts commemorating the 57-year relationship between WGN Radio and the Cubs that is ending this season.

The vintage segment presented here was part of WGN’s first season airing the Cubs in 1958. On May 13, rookie announcer Lou Boudreau spelled play-by-play man Jack Quinlan when Stan Musial collected his 3,000th hit as a pinch hitter against Moe Drabowsky at Wrigley Field. Harry Caray’s version of the historic hit on the Cardinals’ radio network is the most commonly replayed, while Boudreau’s call has rarely been heard ever since other than on the syndicated Diamond Gems radio show.

Harvey native Boudreau, the AL’s MVP as the Cleveland Indians’ player-manager in 1948, was a staple on the Cubs broadcasts as analyst and relief play-by-play man through 1987. He teamed with Quinlan, Vince Lloyd, Milo Hamilton and Dewayne Staats.

Remembering WGN and the Cubs: First broadcast from LA Coliseum in ’58

Jack Quinlan (bottom) and Lou Boudreau did their sixth regular-season WGN Radio Cubs broadcast from the odd-looking, for baseball, Los Angeles Coliseum on April 22, 1958.

The Chicago Baseball Museum kicks off a series of five podcasts here commemorating the 57-year relationship between WGN Radio and the Cubs that is ending this season.

The vintage segment presented today was part of WGN’s sixth regular-season broadcast upon assuming the Cubs’ radio rights in 1958. On April 22 of that season, announcers Jack Quinlan and Lou Boudreau describe the strange layout for baseball that was shoehorned into the 100,000-seat Los Angeles Coliseum. The broadcast was the Cubs’ first visit to Los Angeles after the Dodgers had moved from Brooklyn.

The clip begins with Boudreau in 1997 recalling how the golden-voiced Quinlan helped break him into his long Cubs announcing career in 1958. The Boudreau interview and vintage broadcast first aired on the Diamond Gems baseball radio show in 1997.

1997 — Brickhouse did 1st Bulls deal on ‘Matty’s’ placemat

Bulls founding owner Dick Klein (left) poses with original assistant coach Al Bianchi (center) and head coach Johnny “Red” Kerr in the team’s early days. Klein completed his first TV rights deal with Jack Brickhouse in a very unorthodox manner. Photo courtesy of Chicago Bulls.

The Chicago Baseball Museum is presenting classic interviews from the archives of CBM historian George Castle’s “Diamond Gems” syndicated weekly baseball radio show, which aired from 1994 to 2010.

In this edition, presented in connection with a new special web site celebrating the life of Jack Brickhouse, the all-time Chicago announcer recalls how he negotiated the Bulls’ first-ever TV contract with Bulls founding owner Dick Klein on a placemat at Matty’s Wayside Inn in Glenview, Ill. Brickhouse was the Bulls’ first TV announcer for the NBA team’s initial seven seasons. Also included here is a clip of Brickhouse’s final Bulls broadcast, a last-minute Game 7 playoff meltdown by the Chicagoans against the Lakers during the playoffs on April 15, 1973 in Los Angeles.

“The Diamond Gems Flashback” also features photos of the interviewees from the one-of-a-kind Leo Bauby Photo Collection, emphasizing Chicago baseball. Many photos are available to the general public directly on Ebay via seller name Soxphotos soxphotos | eBay.

1997 — Brickhouse, no-hitters, Bruce Froemming

History brought together Milt Pappas (left) and Bruce Froemming (right) in the last no-hitter Jack Brickhouse broadcast. Brickhouse had a just-as-unusual Froemming story from the latter’s minor-league days as part of his reservoir of stories.

This edition features the second of four consecutive segments taken from a retrospective on the career of famed Chicago announcer Jack Brickhouse, taped in Aug. 1997. In this segment, Jack recalls broadcasting eight no-hitters — and tells a hilarious story involving Bruce Froemming, the key figure in the final no-hitter, by Milt Pappas, in 1972. Brickhouse also will be honored this season with a bobblehead day at Wrigley Field as part of its 100th anniversary. The Chicago Baseball Museum supports the Brickhouse family in the promotional effort.

1997 — Brickhouse recalls how ‘Hey Hey’ call began

Hank Sauer’s (left) Cubs slugging feats generated the “Hey Hey” home-run call of Jack Brickhouse, shown at right with broadcaster Tom Shaer at Opening Day at Wrigley Field in 1997.

This edition features one of four consecutive segments taken from a retrospective on the career of famed Chicago announcer Jack Brickhouse, taped in Aug. 1997. In this segment, Jack recalls how his famed “Hey Hey” home-run call came about around 1950, in the first years of televised baseball at Wrigley Field. Brickhouse had been using the call for homers by Cubs slugger Hank Sauer without realizing it. Brickhouse also will be honored this season with a bobblehead day at Wrigley Field as part of its 100th anniversary. The Chicago Baseball Museum supports the Brickhouse family in the promotional effort.

1969 — Durocher, Holland enthused over new Cubs season’s outlook

John Holland (left) and Cubs owner Phil Wrigley finally thought they might have a winner going into 1969.

This edition features the Durocher in the Dugout and Leadoff Man radio interviews broadcast just before the Cubs famed Opening Day 1969 and replayed on “Diamond Gems” starting in 1997. Cubs manager Leo Durocher and GM John Holland, the latter on the Leadoff Man, were optimistic about their team’s chances. Lou Boudreau, as usual, hosted both programs. Pay close attention to Holland’s analysis of top outfield prospect Oscar Gamble.

1997 — Glavine went past his own projected expiration date to win 305 games

Amid all his Hall of Fame achievements, Tom Glavine also claimed some pitching history at Wrigley Field. Photo credit: 2 on a Whim Creations.

This edition, final in a series of chats with newly-elected Hall of Famers, features an April 1997 interview with Braves lefty Tom Glavine taped at Wrigley Field. At the time, Glavine, 31, was part of the game’s greatest pitching Big Three along with Greg Maddux and John Smoltz. He thought he might pitch up to five more years. But Glavine went past his own projected expiration date to win his 300th game as a Met at Wrigley Field on Aug. 5, 2007. He became the only pitcher to win his 300th at Wrigley Field. Glavine finished his career with 305 victories in 2008 back with the Braves.

1996 — La Russa talks of switch
to Cardinals, rumors of Sox return

Tony La Russa’s years managing the Cardinals cinched his election to the Hall of Fame. Photo credit: SD Dirk.

This edition, another in a series of chats with newly-elected Hall of Famers, focuses on Tony La Russa’s first weeks as Cardinals manager in 1996. La Russa talks about his switch to St. Louis from Oakland, and rumors he had been interested in a return to the White Sox the previous off-season.

1963 — Hubbs makes final Chicago TV guest shot on ‘Tenth Inning’ with Brickhouse

Ken Hubbs shows off his batting stance.

This edition features the audio of the “Tenth Inning” show with Jack Brickhouse after the Cubs’ 4-3 victory over the Houston Colt .45s on Sept. 1, 1963. Cubs second baseman Ken Hubbs is the guest. The clip likely is the last Chicago TV interview Hubbs gave before dying in the crash of his private plane in Utah on Feb. 13, 1964. “Diamond Gems” originally aired this interview on Aug. 5, 1997.

1998 — Thomas displays the personality
of Big Hurt in his prime

Frank Thomas built up enough of a reputation with the Sox to launch his own beer brand in Chicago, as Thomas (left) is depicted doing in 2012.

Continuing a series of vintage talks with newly-elected Hall of Famers, this interview from early in the 1998 season looks at all-time White Sox hitter Frank Thomas at the peak of his career and his views about team leadership. During this time, Thomas was teamed for two seasons with controversial slugger Albert Belle. The ’98 campaign would prove to be the last of nine seasons the Big Hurt would work at the heart of the lineup alongside future Sox manager Robin Ventura.

2009 — Maddux tells of concept of a ‘good teammate’

Greg Maddux had his No. 31 uniform number, shared with fellow Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins, retired and flown from the Wrigley Field flagpole. Photo credit Barbara Moore.

TThis edition features excerpts of a May 2009 interview with new Hall of Famer Greg Maddux. “Mad Dog” talks about the concepts of being a good teammate and pitching while tired, the latter when he was asked about the good ol’ days when pitchers completed 20 or more games per season.

1996 — Father-son McRaes tell how love of game is passed down

Hal McRae (left) had plenty of grist in his career as a top Royals DH for popular baseball cards. Some of his talent rubbed off on outfielder-son Brian McRae (right), pictured in his post-career gig as a radio announcer and executive at Mesa’s Ho Ho Kam Park in 2004.

This edition features an excerpt of a July 1996 interview with Cubs center fielder Brian McRae and his father, Cincinnati Reds hitting coach Hal McRae, a former top DH with the Kansas City Royals. Like all other father-son baseball combos, the love of the game was easily passed down through good genes and exposure to big-league clubhouses at an early age. The McRaes talk about how one generation helped the next one get going in baseball.

1997 — Brickhouse recalls quiet personalities of young Banks, Williams

Jack Brickhouse (left) exposed Chicago-area TV viewers to the personalities of Ernie Banks (right) and Billy Williams.

This edition features an excerpt of an Aug. 1997 hour-long tribute to Hall of Fame Chicago baseball announcer Jack Brickhouse, taped a year prior to his death at 82. In this clip, Brickhouse recalls how he handled early TV interviews with future Hall of Famers Ernie Banks and Billy Williams, who were reticent to open up conversationally in the start of their careers. Brickhouse also remembers how he worked with Banks when the latter became a part-time WGN sportscaster in the late 1960s.

1994 — Green, Goldsberry relive their winning Cubs development combo

Dallas Green (left) and No. 1 aide Gordon Goldsberry set up the most productive Cubs farm system in history in the 1980s, only to see it dismantled after they were forced out by 1988.

This edition features an April 9, 1994 interview re-uniting former Cubs GM Dallas Green, then Mets manager, and Gordon Goldsberry, his onetime chief of scouting and player development by then working as assistant to Orioles GM Roland Hemond. Together, they revived a moribund Cubs farm system in the 1980s and produced impact players, led by Greg Maddux, only to be forced out amid heavy Tribune Co. office politics before they could re-stock the Cubs on a long-term basis. At 79, Green is now a special assistant to Phillies GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. Goldsberry died in 1996, just before the Cubs were rumored to have wanted to hire him back, also as a special assistant.

1995 — Holtzman accurate in his suspicions of inter-league play

Two baseball legends together with their classic poses circa 1989: Cubs manager Don “Popeye” Zimmer (left) with a semi-scowl and Jerome Holtzman with his trademark dirigible-sized cigar. Soon smoking would be banned in pressboxes and almost all parts of the ballparks.

This edition features a 1995 interview in which legendary baseball writer Jerome Holtzman was among a series of guests who dropped by as “Diamond Gems” was taped entirely in the Cubs’ home dugout at Wrigley Field before a game. Holtzman’s thoughts ranged from the 1950 All-Star Game at old Comiskey Park he attended to the prospect of inter-league play, which began two years later. Holtzman had covered baseball for the Chicago Sun-Times, then the Chicago Tribune, starting in 1957. He died at 82 in 2008.

The Chicago Baseball Museum now possesses the Jerome Holtzman Library, complete with his notes, one-of-a-kind baseball documents and scores of publications he accumulated over the decades. The museum also issues the Jerome Holtzman Award in recognition of contributions to Chicago baseball history. The 2014 award, to be presented at the Pitch and Hit Club annual banquet Jan. 26, will go to David Kaplan, Sarah Lauch and Ryan McGuffey, the three producers of “5 Outs,” the superb Comcast SportsNet Chicago documentary on the star-crossed 2003 Cubs. For tickets, please contact Bill Motluck at or 708/805-1928.

Late 1960s — Durocher skewers writers, radio voices in gag tapings of pre-game show

Leo Durocher may have been tough for the media to handle, but when money was on the line, as in the sale of his trading cards, he always was a willing photo subject.

This edition features several gag tapings of Cubs manager Leo Durocher’s radio pre-game show “Durocher in the Dugout” recorded in the late 1960s and played three decades later on “Diamond Gems.” Durocher spared no one in the Cubs traveling party. With his trademark foul mouth, appropriately bleeped here, he skewered those who covered him. Some funny dialogue still slips through in the “clean” parts of the tapes.

1997: Joe Black recalls mentoring from Jackie Robinson

Joe Black was National League Rookie of the Year in 1952, thanks partially to taking the advice Jackie Robinson gave him.

This edition features a 1997 interview with Joe Black, who first gained fame as the 1952 NL rookie of the year with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Black distinguished himself in relief for “The Boys of Summer” before being summoned out of the ‘pen to start three 1952 World Series games against the Yankees. Later, Black worked for the Greyhound bus company while handling community work. While passing through Wrigley Field, Black recalled the lessons he learned from Jackie Robinson, a six-year big-league veteran in ’52. Black died in 2002.

1994 — Local kid Foster achieves dream by making Cubs rotation

Evanston’s Kevin Foster showed flashes of excellence, but not a lot of consistency, during parts of five Cubs seasons (Photo courtesy of the Chicago Cubs).

This edition features a 1994 interview with Kevin Foster, one of the few Evanston natives to make the majors. Foster had just been called up to the Cubs, for whom he pitched in the starting rotation for all or parts of five seasons. With his proud parents chiming in on another phone connection, Foster talked about his aspirations. He would become a little better than a .500 pitcher, prone to the home-run ball, through 1998. Foster died too young, of renal cancer, at 39 in 2008. He was one of three members of the 1997 Cubs rotation to die at young ages. Frank Castillo and Jeremi Gonzalez died via a drowning accident and lightning strike, respectively.

1998 — Bart Johnson recalls Sox days with Goose, Forster

Bart Johnson would have been so much better at old Comiskey Park if he had stayed healthy (Photo courtesy of the Chicago White Sox).

This edition features a 1998 interview with Bart Johnson, one of a trio of home-grown hard-throwers the White Sox produced at the dawn of the 1970s. Bart, nicknamed “Mr. Smoke,” recalls the start of his career and that of Hall of Famer Goose Gossage and lefty Terry Forster. Johnson went on to a three-decade-long run as a scout, thanks to support from Sox GM Roland Hemond.

2005 — Torborg relives Koufax perfect game he caught

Jeff Torborg in a more prominent role as White Sox manager in 1990. However, Torborg never experienced a more spectacular single event than, at 24, catching Sandy Koufax’s perfect game 25 years previously (Photo courtesy of Chicago White Sox).

This edition features a 2005 interview with Jeff Torborg for the 40th-anniversary “Diamond Gems” retrospective of Sandy Koufax’s perfect game against the Cubs on Sept. 9, 1965 in Los Angeles. Torborg was a young backup catcher who drew the start on that Thursday night, and fortunately was on the receiving end of history. The future Sox manager (1989-92) goes through Koufax’s mindset and the mounting drama as the perfect innings drew to a climax.

1995 — Vin Scully recalls his own ‘clock’ calling no-hitters

Vin Scully sings “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at spring training in 2008. Photo credit Craigfnp at en.wikipedia.

This edition features a 1995 conversation at Wrigley Field with Hall of Fame broadcasters’ wing member Vin Scully. Regarded by many as the finest play-by-play announcer in history, the Dodgers’ Scully continues his own amazing feat, working in his 64th season since starting as Red Barber’s junior sidekick in Brooklyn. He explains how he developed the style of calling out the time and date during no-hitters, a description most pronounced in the ninth inning of Sandy Koufax’s Sept. 9, 1965 perfect game against the Cubs.

2002 — Bob Uecker remembers his show-biz start, in the Cardinals’ bullpen

“Mr. Baseball” honed his humor during idle time in the Cardinals bullpen circa 1964. Image credit John (Guano).

This edition features a 2002 conversation with Hall of Fame broadcasters’ wing member Bob Uecker. In addition to his colorful play-by-play for the Milwaukee Brewers, Bob is one of the great funnyman in and out of the game, as exemplified by his many appearances with Johnny Carson on the “Tonight Show” a quarter-century ago. “Ueck” explains how he sharpened his humor whiling away the hours as backup catcher in the Cardinals bullpen, where he would do impressions of then-St. Louis radio voice Harry Caray.

1998 — Bench recalls how Cubs had great shot at him in 1965 draft

Johnny Bench had his big day at the plate in high school one day too late for the Cubs’ cross-checker. Photo credit Rafael Amado Deras.

This edition features a 1998 interview of Hall of Famer Johnny Bench at Wrigley Field. Bench confirmed a story by longtime Cubs scout Bill Capps that the team knew all about him in high school in Binger, Okla. Capps recommended the Cubs pick Bench in the first-ever amateur draft in 1965. However, Bench had his best game when Capps’ boss decided to leave town and move on to the next prospect. The Cubs eventually passed over Bench twice in the first two rounds to pick pitcher Rick James and eventual backup catcher Ken Rudolph.

2004 — Lee Arthur Smith put himself to sleep, then hitters

Lee Smith in his Cubs prime in 1985. Photo credit Terren Peterson.

This edition features a 2004 interview with all-time closer Lee Arthur Smith. Among the other subjects covered as Smitty talked about the art of working the ninth (and the eighth back in the 1980s) was his proclivity for a quick nap in the trainer’s room in mid-game. As long as he was awake and refreshed when summoned, managers did not care. The Chicago Baseball Museum heartily endorses Smitty’s candidacy for the Hall of Fame after 478 career saves, including 180 with the Cubs at the start of his career.

2007 — Nancy Faust recalls start of ‘Na, na, hey, hey, good-bye’ organ serenade

Nancy Faust at the U.S. Cellular Field organ in her final month playing in Sept. 2010.

This edition features a 2007 interview with all-time White Sox organist Nancy Faust, on the 30th anniversary of her inauguration of “Na, Na, Na, Hey, Hey, Hey, Good-bye” as a kind of team anthem when opposing teams pulled their pitchers. Faust began playing the 1969 Steam one-hit wonder during a July 29-31, 1977 showdown series with the Kansas City Royals at old Comiskey Park.

2007 — ‘Sweet Lou’ paints a self-portrait as wannabe low-key fella

Lou Piniella cut a colorful path with both body English and verbiage as Cubs manager (left). Much of what he applied in the dugout he learned while playing for the Yankees (right), several times for mentor Billy Martin. Photo credits Jauerback & Phil5329.

This edition, culled from a long-form interview with then-Cubs manager Lou Piniella aired in late July 2007, looks at Piniella’s view of himself as a colorful baseball character. Piniella admitted he had a “red-ass” reputation, but preferred to stay out of the limelight — which proved impossible during his tumultuous Cubs tenure.

Chicago’s Mottlow one of last re-creators of baseball games via Western Union ticker

Red Mottlow at his typewriter, not long before his death in 2003.

This edition has the late 1990s recollection of longtime Chicago sportscaster Red Mottlow about the art of re-creating baseball games in the radio studio via the codes transmitted by Western Union ticker. Announcers would add sound effects and pauses for effect to their play-by-play from the ticker accounts of faraway games.

Mottlow, the first Chicago sportscaster to take a microphone into the city’s locker rooms for interviews in the 1960s, re-created such games in Minneapolis in the 1950s. He also re-created a Braves-Reds game in Cincinnati for WGN-Radio on Sept. 6, 1959, the tape of which the Chicago Baseball Museum hopes to air on this site in the future. Mottlow passed away at age 77 in May 2003.

One of the corps of re-creators in radio’s prime was future President Ronald Reagan with Cubs broadcasts on WHO-Radio in Des Moines in the mid-1930s.

1994 — Levy talks with his 1945 Cubs heroes Cavarretta, Pafko

Marv Levy (left) was re-united via radio with Andy Pakfo (center) and Phil Cavarretta (right), his Cubs heroes from the 1945 pennant-winning team.

In this edition, a July 16, 1994 interview with then-Buffalo Bills coach Marv Levy, fresh from four consecutive Super Bowl appearances, is featured. Levy was linked up on the air with 1945 Cubs stars Phil Cavarretta and Andy Pakfo. Levy recalled being a “young serviceman” attending the ’45 World Series at Wrigley FIeld to watch Cavarretta and Pafko play against the Detroit Tigers.

1994 — Broglio handles Brock trade disaster with good humor

Ernie Broglio (background) has been a youth pitching instructor in recent decades, pictured here working with a special device that keeps the elbow elevated.

In this edition, a Dec. 17, 1994 interview with ex-pitcher Ernie Broglio is featured. Broglio came out on the short end of the infamous June 15, 1964 Cubs’ trade of Lou Brock to the Cardinals. The former curveball specialist recalls his physical condition at the time of the trade. He had elbow surgery after the ’64 season. Broglio also shares with good humor the fans’ reception years later when he and Brock were introduced in Chicago.

2009: Brock recalls life as friendly door-to-door heating-oil salesman/furnace man

Left: In addition to his Hall of Fame career in St. Louis, Lou Brock went on to handle a number of different businesses. Right: Lou Brock fronted an ad for the heating-oil firm for which he worked. Spokesman status for a mainstream company was rare for an African-American in 1963. Click on image for larger view…

In this edition, a 2009 interview with Hall of Famer Lou Brock is featured. Brock reveals an off-the-field side rarely recounted from his 1962-63 Cubs days — his winter job as a combination heating-oil salesman and furnace repairman.Interestingly, a Feb. 3, 1963 Chicago Sun-Times Sunday feature on ballplayers’ off-season jobs did not include Brock’s unusual assignments. The article included Sox pitcher Joel Horlen working as a ticket salesman for the team and Cubs outfielder Bob Will working for the Wrigley gum company. Brock, of course, departed the Cubs in an infamous June 15, 1964 trade for sore-elbowed pitcher Ernie Broglio.

1972: Harry Caray interviews Dick Allen, Steve Carlton

Dick Allen at U.S. Cellular Field in 2012, commemorating his MVP season.

In this edition, interviews all-time baseball announcer Harry Caray conducted in spring training 1972 in Florida and early in the season in Chicago are featured. Two superstars who’d go on to earn honors in ’72 are queried: the White Sox’s Dick Allen, the eventual American League MVP, and the Phillies’ Steve Carlton, the National League’s Cy Young Award winner.

Renowned as a play-by-play Pied Piper who helped revive the White Sox then, Caray was also known as a good interviewer. He taped the segments and syndicated them around the country to radio stations. Scott Nelson, the Cubs’ longtime director of baseball operations until 2012, discovered several cassettes of Caray interviews at a sports collectors’ show in the late 1990s. A number of the interviews were replayed on Diamond Gems.

2005: Bob Hendley recalls duel with Koufax during perfecto as career apex

Sandy Koufax had to pitch the game of his life to beat Bob Hendley on Sept. 9, 1965. Both Koufax and Hendley took no-hitters in the seventh before “Sweet Lou” Johnson blooped a double to right off Hendley.

In this edition, ex-Cub Bob Hendley re-lives his Sept. 9, 1965 duel with Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax during the latter’s perfect game at Dodger Stadium. Hendley was interviewed with five other big leaguers who had played in the perfecto for a special 40th anniversary “Diamond Gems” retrospective show. Hendley gave up just one hit, which had nothing to do with the unearned run scored against him. The one hit total allowed by both pitchers set a major-league record for fewest hits ever in a game. Both Hendley and Koufax took no-hitters into the seventh inning in what may be the greatest pitching duel in history.

1972: Harry Caray interviews fellow big names in spring training

Harry Caray in a familiar sight from the early 1970s, hobnobbing with the fans who loved his charismatic style with the White Sox (Photo courtesy of the Leo Bauby Collection).

In this edition, interviews all-time baseball announcer Harry Caray conducted in spring training 1972 in Florida are featured. Renowned as a play-by-play Pied Piper who helped revive the White Sox then, Caray was also known as a good interviewer. He taped the segments and syndicated them around the country to radio stations. Scott Nelson, the Cubs’ longtime director of baseball operations until 2012, discovered several cassettes of Caray interviews at a sports collectors’ show in the late 1990s. A number of the interviews were replayed on Diamond Gems.

1994: Melton, Wood, Herrmann have reunion 2 decades after Sox days

Bill Melton (No. 14 at right) welcomes roommate Ed Herrmann to home plate after slugging a homer at Comiskey Park. (Photo courtesy of the Leo Bauby Collection).

Wilbur Wood about to float one of his knuckleballs plateward as a 1970s White Sox ace. (Photo courtesy of the Leo Bauby Collection).

The Chicago Baseball Museum is presenting classic interviews from the archives of CBM historian George Castle’s

“Diamond Gems” syndicated weekly baseball radio show, which aired from 1994 to 2010.

In this edition, early 1970s White Sox teammates Bill Melton, Wilbur Wood and Ed Herrmann have an on-air reunion and a jolly good time recalling their South Side days. The segment originally aired March 12, 1994. Third baseman Melton and catcher Herrmann were roommates, while Wood’s knuckleball that netted him four 20-win seasons with the Sox sometimes baffled Herrmann along with the hitters.

2007: Sandberg trains as minor-league manager

A decade-long Cubs double-play combo was re-united in Mesa, Ariz. as spring-training coaches in 2004: Shawon Dunston and Ryne Sandberg (right). Three years later Sandberg began his managerial career.

In this edition, an Aug. 2007 interview with Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg is replayed. Sandberg candidly reviews his first year as a pro baseball manager at Class A Peoria in the Midwest League. He would go on to miss out on the Cubs’ managerial job in 2011, after having risen through each level of the team’s farm system through 2010. Now Sandberg could be the near-future manager of the Phillies as the NL East team’s first-year third-base coach.

1994: Last of the Comiskeys puts ownership in perspective

Chuck Comiskey behind the mic of WCFL-Radio, the Sox’s flagship station in the 1950s and 1960s (Photo courtesy of the Leo Bauby Collection).

In this edition, timed with the historical aspects of SoxFest, Chuck Comiskey discusses the issues that affected his family’s ownership of the South Siders. The segment originally aired Sept. 24, 1994. Comiskey was the third and final generation of his family involved in management of the Sox.

1995: Teen-age Wood peers into a future that now includes ‘Winter Warm-up’

Kerry Wood and wife sarah at the “Winter Warm-up” to benefit the Wood Family Foundation

In this edition, the first interview with Cubs icon Kerry Wood after he was drafted No. 4 in the country in 1995 is replayed. Not even 18, Wood could still peer into the future for what turned out to be an eventful career that lasted through 2012.

Now Wood is an honored Cubs alum who gives back his adopted community. He was staging his second annual Winter Warm-up to benefit the Wood Family Foundation from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18 at Harry Caray’s Navy Pier in Chicago. Cubs players, Bears lineman J’Marcus Webb and Smashing Pumpkins front man Billy Corgan were expected to be among the guests and celebrity bartenders.

Tickets are $150 per person. Fans can reserve a booth for four people for $1,000 (includes tableside cocktail service). Parking is available for $10 after 5pm at the Navy Pier Garage. For additional information or ticket sales please visit www.woodfamilyfoundation.org.

1994: On-air reunion of former KC Monarchs: Hall of Famer Buck O’Neil, ex-Cub Gene Baker

Buck O’Neil (left) as an honored baseball senior citizen (photo credit: kc congdon) and (center) as the first African-African American big-league coach, with the Cubs in 1962. At right is Gene Baker first breaking in with the Cubs in 1953. (Baker photo courtesy of the Leo Bauby Collection).

In this edition, two former Kansas City Monarchs who moved on to the Cubs in the mid-1950s were re-united via phone — future Hall of Famer Buck O’Neil and ex-infielder Gene Baker. They talked about the challenges of breaking the color line in the majors, including O’Neil bumping into yet another another barrier — becoming a big-league manager.

1994: Horlen relives ‘hard luck’ Sox days, 1967 no-hitter

Joel Horlen and teammates celebrate moments after Horlen finished his no-hitter over the Detroit Tigers Sept. 10, 1967 at old Comiskey Park.
(Photos courtesy of the Leo Bauby Collection.)

In this segment from Aug. 6, 1994, Joel Horlen catches up on his life after baseball and relives his days as the White Sox’s ace right-hander in the 1960s. Horlen tells how he handled status as “Hard Luck Horlen,” offering some of the most stingy pitching of the era with little run support.

1998: No hole in his life if team doesn’t win World Series, says Mr. Cub

Ernie Banks always saw sunshine in all aspects of life. (Photos courtesy of the Leo Bauby Collection.)

In this segment from Aug. 6, 1998, Ernie “Mr. Cub” Banks talks about his life. Most interesting is his final response about how he puts the Cubs’ World Series drought into perspective. The answer is enlightening with Banks’ 82nd birthday approaching on Jan. 31, 2013.

1994: Lopez, Landis mark 35 years since they teamed for 1959 Sox pennant

Al Lopez (center) celebrates a new Sox managerial contract with GM Ed Short (left) and owner Arthur Allyn (right). (Photos courtesy of the Leo Bauby Collection.)

Jim Landis (right) helps Nellie Fox celebrate a 14th-inning, game-winning homer over the Tigers in Detroit in 1959. Landis also homered in the game. ((Photos courtesy of the Leo Bauby Collection.)

The Chicago Baseball Museum is presenting classic interviews from the archives of CBM historian George Castle’s”Diamond Gems” syndicated weekly baseball radio show, which aired from 1994 to 2010.

In this segment from Oct. 9, 1994, the famed Senor, Al Lopez, and center fielder Jim Landis close the 3,000 miles distance from each other via phone to re-live the “Go-Go” White Sox’s 1959 American League pennant. Manager Lopez won the only AL flag during the entire Go-Go era.

1996: Bonds says he’s not a ‘golden child,’ but Jordan is

A svelte, sleek Barry Bonds as a Pittsburgh Pirate in the early 1990s. He had virtually the same physique in the 1996 interview featured here. (Photo is courtesy of the Leo Bauby Collection.)

In this segment from Aug. 7, 1996, superstar Barry Bonds gives a revealing (and nearly bizarre) insight into his personality. The one-on-one interview with George Castle was taped at Wrigley Field eight days previously. Bond’s stream of consciousness gives some good clues why he became enmeshed in the performance enhancement drugs issue starting three years later. He apparently was prompted by the Mark McGwire-Sammy Sosa home-run chase of 1998.

Bonds motivations back then are now more timely than ever. He is now on the Hall of Fame ballot, just released, for the first time. However, his connection with the PED era will likely cancel out a legitimate Cooperstown candidacy among BBWAA voters choosing the inductees.

1994: English relives ‘Ruth’s called shot’ with Williams, Beckert

(Clockwise from left), Woody English, Glenn Beckert, and Billy Williams (courtesy of the Leo Bauby Collection).

In this segment from Feb. 13, 1994, former Cubs third baseman Woody English, then 87, recalled his close-up view of Babe Ruth’s famous “called shot” in the 1932 World Series at Wrigley Field with Cubs Hall of Famer Billy Williams and former All-Star Cubs second baseman Glenn Beckert.

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Remembering WGN and the Cubs: Cardwell no-no got Cholly jolly post-game

Remembering WGN and the Cubs: Mottlow does 1959 game via ticker

Remembering WGN and the Cubs: A rookie’s call of Musial’s 3,000th hit

Remembering WGN and the Cubs: First broadcast from LA Coliseum in ’58

1997 — Brickhouse did 1st Bulls deal on ‘Matty’s’ placemat

1997 — Brickhouse, no-hitters, Bruce Froemming

1997 — Brickhouse recalls how ‘Hey Hey’ call began

1969 — Durocher, Holland enthused over new Cubs season’s outlook

1997 — Glavine went past his own projected expiration date to win 305 games

1996 — La Russa talks of switch to Cardinals, rumors of Sox return

1963 — Hubbs makes final Chicago TV guest shot on ‘Tenth Inning’ with Brickhouse

1998 — Thomas displays the personality of Big Hurt in his prime

2009 — Maddux tells of concept of a ‘good teammate’

1996 — Father-son McRaes tell how love of game is passed down

1997 — Brickhouse recalls quiet personalities of young Banks, Williams

1994 — Green, Goldsberry relive their winning Cubs development combo

1995 — Holtzman accurate in his suspicions of inter-league play

Late 1960s — Durocher skewers writers, radio voices in gag tapings of pre-game show

1997: Joe Black recalls mentoring from Jackie Robinson

1994 — Local kid Foster achieves dream by making Cubs rotation

1998 — Bart Johnson recalls Sox days with Goose, Forster

2005 — Torborg relives Koufax perfect game he caught

1995 — Vin Scully recalls his own ‘clock’ calling no-hitters

2002 — Bob Uecker remembers his show-biz start, in the Cardinals’ bullpen

1998 — Bench recalls how Cubs had great shot at him in 1965 draft

2004 — Lee Arthur Smith put himself to sleep, then hitters

2007 — Nancy Faust recalls start of ‘Na, na, hey, hey, good-bye’ organ serenade

2007 — ‘Sweet Lou’ paints a self-portrait as wannabe low-key fella

Chicago’s Mottlow one of last re-creators of baseball games via Western Union ticker

1994 — Levy talks with his 1945 Cubs heroes Cavarretta, Pafko

1994 — Broglio handles Brock trade disaster with good humor

2009: Brock recalls life as friendly door-to-door heating-oil salesman/furnace man

1972: Harry Caray interviews Dick Allen, Steve Carlton

2005: Bob Hendley recalls duel with Koufax during perfecto as career apex

1972: Harry Caray interviews fellow big names in spring training

1994: Melton, Wood, Herrmann have reunion 2 decades after Sox days

2007: Sandberg trains as minor-league manager

1994: Last of the Comiskeys puts ownership in perspective

1995: Teen-age Wood peers into a future that now includes ‘Winter Warm-up’

1994: On-air reunion of former KC Monarchs: Hall of Famer Buck O’Neil, ex-Cub Gene Baker

1994: Horlen relives ‘hard luck’ Sox days, 1967 no-hitter

1998: No hole in his life if team doesn’t win World Series, says Mr. Cub

1994: Lopez, Landis mark 35 years since they teamed for 1959 Sox pennant

1996: Bonds says he’s not a ‘golden child,’ but Jordan is

1994: English relives ‘Ruth’s called shot’ with Williams, Beckert

MENU

Remembering WGN and the Cubs:
Cardwell no-no got Cholly jolly post-game

Remembering WGN and the Cubs:
Mottlow does 1959 game via ticker

1996 — La Russa talks of switch
to Cardinals, rumors of Sox return

1998 — Thomas displays the personality
of Big Hurt in his prime