Latest / Retro Sports Radio: Classic Games from History / 1962-Apr-11 • NYM/STL • New York Mets vs St. Louis Cardinals - Classic Baseball Radio Broadcast
Transcript
- 0:00This is Retro Sports Radio. Visit RetroSeasons.com for more sports history.
- 0:07The New York Mets faced the St. Louis Cardinals at Bush Stadium for opening day on Wednesday,
- 0:11April 11, 1962. This was the first ever season and regular
- 0:15season game for the new expansion team, the New York Mets.
- 0:18They were managed by Casey Stengel, who had led the Yankees to the AL Pennant just two
- 0:22years earlier. The Cardinals were an average team and looking
- 0:25to make it back to the postseason for the first time in 15 years.
- 0:29They were managed by Johnny Keene, who had taken over the team mid-season in 1961.
- 0:33This audio recording is from the brand new Mets radio broadcast team featuring announcers
- 0:37Lindsay Nelson, Ralph Keiner, and Bob Murphy.
- 0:41Bob Murphy, welcoming you to the first regular season game in the history of the New York
- 0:46Mets. Brought to you by Reingold Expert Drive.
- 0:49Tonight, the New York Mets meet the St. Louis Cardinals right here in St. Louis.
- 0:54Lindsay Nelson, Ralph Keiner, and I are on hand to bring you every bit of the action.
- 0:58Yes sir, the New York Mets are on the air in their first great season.
- 1:02Right now, Casey Stengel, Johnny Keene, and the four on bars are getting together at home
- 1:07plate for the last minute check. And right now would be a good time for you
- 1:11to check up on your supply of fine gold Reingold. Reingold Expert Drive.
- 1:16Yes sir, put the Reingold on ice because it can add a lot to your enjoyment of the game.
- 1:21Reingold is brewed for the choices of ingredients.
- 1:24Brewed the long, slow, costlier way for flavor that's brisk and bright and clean, clear fruit.
- 1:30Reingold is beer as beer should taste. Dry tells you why.
- 1:35And say right now would be a good time to light up a Viceroy.
- 1:38Viceroy's not too strong, not too light. Viceroy's got the taste that's right. That's right.
- 1:45Now it's just about game time, so settle back with a tall, cold glass of Reingold,
- 1:50and we'll give you the starting lineup.
- 1:53For the New York Mets,
- 1:56manager Casey Stengel will have Richie Ashburn in center field leading off.
- 2:02Felix Mantilla will be at shortstop batting second.
- 2:06Charlie Neal at second base batting third.
- 2:10Frank Thomas in right field batting clean up.
- 2:13Gus Bell in right field batting fifth.
- 2:17Gil Hodges playing first base batting sixth.
- 2:20Don Zimmer will be at third base batting seventh.
- 2:24Hobie Landroth behind the plate. Hobie will bat eighth.
- 2:28Fitching and batting ninth, veteran right hander Roger Craig.
- 2:33For the St. Louis Cardinals, they feel they have a team that will be a strong contender for the National League Finals.
- 2:39Kirk Flood will be in center field leading off.
- 2:43Julian Javier at second base batting second.
- 2:46Bill White will be at first base batting third.
- 2:50In right field batting clean up, Stan the Man Museo.
- 2:54Ken Boyer will be at third base hitting fifth.
- 2:58And even also in left field batting sixth.
- 3:01Gene Oliver catching and batting seventh.
- 3:05Julio Gotay, G-O-T-A-Y. Gotay will be at short batting eighth.
- 3:10Fitching and batting ninth, Larry Jackson.
- 3:14John Gorman at the Long Island with an umpire behind the plate.
- 3:18Nick Bill Cakoski from North Wall Pole, New Hampshire will call the plays around first.
- 3:23It's at all will be at second.
- 3:25Hal Foreman will be at third.
- 3:28The skies are mostly cloudy, the temperature in the high 40s.
- 3:32The wind right now has subsided and is not really a factor in the ball game.
- 3:37Well you know folks like the sign says, new team, new girl, same great beer.
- 3:43Yes sir, New York has certainly taken to its brand new national league team, the Mets.
- 3:48This Reingold 1962, well it was more popular than lovely Kathy Kirsch.
- 3:54And that same great beer, Reingold, it's been New York's favorite for as long as I can remember.
- 4:01How come so many millions choose Reingold over all other beers?
- 4:05Simple enough, it's beer as beer should taste, and dry tells you why.
- 4:10Dry beer is lighter, more naturally refreshing, and Reingold is extra dry.
- 4:15Extra dry for that extra refreshing taste no other beer can match.
- 4:20Why not see for yourself what a difference dry makes.
- 4:23Enjoy a glass of refreshing Reingold along with the game.
- 4:27You'll join millions who say, my beer is Reingold the dry beer.
- 4:39Well we are about to be witnesses to history and the making right here in St. Louis as the New York Mets become a reality.
- 4:48From the dreams and the planning boards, from the works that were required to put the ball club together,
- 4:56from the long work in spring training, everything now bursts on the scene and becomes a reality.
- 5:02And the national league now is back in New York after an absence of four years.
- 5:06Managed by Casey Stinger, with George Weiss running the front office,
- 5:11a veteran coaching staff of Sally Hemas, Cookie Lavagetto, Rogers Harsby, Red Ruffing and Red Brest,
- 5:19and a starting team tonight that is truly a veteran ball club.
- 5:22This incidentally, with the exception of Roger Craig, the exact person now that played the very first spring training game for the New York Mets
- 5:32back on the 10th of March against the same St. Louis Cardinals.
- 5:36And if you'll recall, Roger Craig actually was to pitch that day,
- 5:41but injured a muscle in his back sliding a couple of days before and had to bypass that turn.
- 5:47And the batting order is exactly the same except for one switch.
- 5:50On that day back on March the 10th, Don Zimmer and Felix Bantia were in reverse positions in the New York Mets batting order.
- 6:01That way, tonight's ball game could be very tricky and could be very hard.
- 6:09So much rain has fallen in St. Louis over the last three days that the outfield is very, very slow.
- 6:15The infield, of course, was covered throughout the rain and is in pretty good shape.
- 6:19But the outfield is so soggy and so sponge-like that at the last moment,
- 6:25manager Johnny Keene of the Cardinals decided to let his outfielders wear the low-cut, lightweight football shoes, just like the halfbacks wear.
- 6:35Game time temperature here in St. Louis, we were a little bit off in our estimate.
- 6:42They now say it is 55 degrees.
- 6:45But in the outfield for the Cardinals, Monoso and Left, Blood and Center, and Musial and Right,
- 6:50all three are wearing the low-cut, lightweight football shoes, just like the ones worn by the backs and the ins in pro football.
- 6:59Naturally, when they come into the dugout to go on the attack, they'll be taking those off
- 7:03and putting on their regular baseball spikes because the infield was covered and is in pretty good shape.
- 7:08So setting up the Cardinal defense as right-hander Larry Jackson throws in the last of his one-up tosses.
- 7:13Ken Boyer at third, Julio Gotage short, Julian Javier at second, and Bill White is at first.
- 7:20In the outfield, Mini Monoso in left, the speedy Kirk Flood in center, and around and right,
- 7:25one of the great names in the history of the game, Stan the Man Musial.
- 7:29The batter for the Cardinals, Larry Jackson on the mound. He'll be caught by young Gene Oliver.
- 7:36Now moving up to the leadoff in the ballgame for the New York Bucks will be the veteran Richie Ashburn.
- 7:42Richie who enters this season needing only 55 bases to reach the 2,500-hit mark.
- 7:49And in this game tonight, you have the two men who have more bases than any other players in the National League.
- 7:55Stan Musial, number one, and Richie Ashburn, number two.
- 8:01Richie, after 14 years, is still a lifetime 300-hitter with an average of 308 over the 14-year span.
- 8:08And as you know, twice he won the National League batting title.
- 8:12And now stepping out again, Larry Jackson, with nine curveball and right-handed overstable at start.
- 8:17Jackson was hurt in spring training last year, got off to a very slow start.
- 8:21He was three wins and eight losses in the middle of the year.
- 8:24But then he came a strong with a great second half. He won 11 of 12 decisions,
- 8:28and he wound up the year as the comeback guy of the Cardinal 9 staff.
- 8:32And now he has been given the honor by Johnny Keene of pitching his third opening game.
- 8:44Now Larry Jackson looks in to get his side from Gene Oliver.
- 8:48Richie Ashburn, count dealing the bat around.
- 8:51Jackson is into his wind-up, and the next time in business, the pitch is hit on the ground down to third a foul ball.
- 8:56Back-handed by Kenny Boyer, and there's no play.
- 8:59And now it's a reality. We're underway here in St. Louis with Richie Ashburn leading off.
- 9:10Felix Mantilla, moving out on deck, will be followed back by Charlie Neal.
- 9:16Third fielder Kurt Flood swung way over into left center, playing Ashburn to hit for the opposite field.
- 9:20A drive in the air to left center. Kurt Flood is not settling. He's there now.
- 9:24Next it's up to the out. Kurt Flood had the perfect defensive position on Richie Ashburn.
- 9:33He was way over in left center, though he had to be handed back about 10 or 12 strides to take it for the out.
- 9:38Well, away nobody on. That brings up Felix Mantilla.
- 9:42This was a very good spring for Felix Mantilla.
- 9:46He was in a batting slump in the early part of spring training, but when the Mets, on the 23rd of March,
- 9:51started a road trip on the other side of Florida, he got hot. Swing and a strike one.
- 9:58Right after the game tonight, the New York Mets will be flying to New York.
- 10:02They're anxiously looking forward to the big reception tomorrow in New York with the parade down lower Broadway.
- 10:08And the welcoming of City Hall and the opener against Wetzburg on Friday at the Polo Grounds.
- 10:16Gene Oliver, crossed behind the plate. Now Jackson knobs and a court.
- 10:20He's lined up a pitch on the way. Outside and low, he lays off of it. One ball, one strike.
- 10:26He's done a beautiful job with the ballpark here on St. Louis, and it is in tip-top shape and very, very attractive.
- 10:34Of course in right field, which is the real hitting target for the left-hand batters, the screen stretches from the foul pole out to right center.
- 10:41Anything off the screen is in play. Swing and a miss on a slider. One ball, two strikes.
- 10:47Down the left field line to the foul pole is 351 feet. In left center to the bleachers, 379.
- 10:54To the gardens out behind the green daughters eye in center field, 425.
- 10:59In right center where the screen drops off, 354. 310 down the right field line to the pole and the screen.
- 11:07Outside and low, two balls, two strikes on Felix Mantilla.
- 11:15Tonight's game has a particular nostalgic flavor for one of the, not only one, but two of the New York Met coaches.
- 11:22Rogers Hornsby and Sally Hemas, who both manage the Spar Club.
- 11:26Taking low, ball three, three and two.
- 11:30Spar back is 1,925. The Raja directed the Cardinals to the National League Planet at a World Series Championship.
- 11:41And of course, year before last, it was Sally who took over the Redbirds who were sagging and drove them to a third place finish.
- 11:48Full count now, three and two on Mantilla. Jackson double pucks. In field and the outfield straight away.
- 11:54Foul to foul, off to the left. No play and the count remains the same.
- 12:12Twaye Lewis relying heavily this year on two comparative newcomers.
- 12:17Both saw a stun service last year, but in the true sense of the word, this will be their first full year.
- 12:21That would be Gina Oliver and the shortstop for Leo Gotai.
- 12:25A ground ball hit down to third. Kenny Boyer takes it out of the third, straightens up, throws and pats and there are two away.
- 12:44Now here's Charlie Neal coming up. Charlie batting third in the order. He looked great all through spring training.
- 12:50Charlie in tip-top shape and he's hoping to bounce back to the form that he had two years ago when he was without question, considered the number one second base for the National League.
- 13:03Here's the wind, a pitch by Jackson. A drive and he errs toward right center field. Musial is hurrying over there. He's in front of it and makes it to get to the outfield.
- 13:12He's slow going in the outfield. He's downstuck to slip around a little bit, but he slowed up and had time to get there.
- 13:20No runs, no hits, no errors, none left on. That's a good out in order in their half of the first inning.
- 13:26The score in the middle of the first inning is the New York Mets nothing and the St. Louis Cardinals coming to bat.
- 13:48Now the last half of the first inning here in St. Louis and the Cardinals will be coming up against Roger Craig.
- 13:55That's a lifetime record against the Cardinals of eight wins and six losses.
- 14:01Kurt Flood at the center fielder will be leading off against Roger Craig.
- 14:06Last year was a good one for the speedy Flood. Right hand hitter. Kurt hit 322. He was out hit only by Ken Boyer on the Cardinal Ball Club.
- 14:17Just 24 years old from Houston, Texas. The wind up and pitch to him. A strike on the outback corner. Roger Craig on the nine for the Mets.
- 14:27Roger has been the number one pitcher in the eyes of Casey Stengel since the very first day of spring training.
- 14:32Every outing during the spring bore that out. Now the wind up, pitch on the way. Just off the outside edge. One ball, one strike.
- 14:40Last year against the Cardinals, Roger Craig won one and lost one. The game he lost by the way was to Larry Jackson.
- 14:47Along toward the middle of the season when Jackson started his comeback. Pitching one and one. A fly ball in high on the air to center field.
- 14:55Richie Ashburn, drift squeeze left. He's under it. Puts it away for the off.
- 15:00Well away nobody on in the last half of the first inning and the hitter now will be Julian Javier at the second baseman.
- 15:07The Cardinals think they have a real star, Julian Javier. Last year he hit 279 with the Cardinals.
- 15:18Now setting up the Mets defensively, Don Zimmer at third, Felix Mantilla at short, Charlie Neal at second and Gil Hodge is at first.
- 15:26Craig into his wind up, the pitch to Javier. The right hand battered grass to Bunt and misses strike one.
- 15:33In the outfield for the Mets, Frank Thomas in left field, Richie Ashburn in center, around and right field Gus Bell.
- 15:40Roger Craig on the mound and Hobie Landriff, veteran of 11 campaigns in the National League working behind the plate.
- 15:57Hobie here came up for the Pittsburgh Pirate Organization. He starts his third season now with the St. Louis Cardinals.
- 16:04He was traded by Pittsburgh to the Cardinals along with Ed Bauta or vinegar Ben Marzell and Dick Gray.
- 16:10That trade took place in early 1960. The Cardinals are mighty satisfied with the trade.
- 16:22The right hand battered grass to Bunt and misses strike two.
- 16:31No score, last half of inning number one. One out of nobody on. Temperature 55 degrees.
- 16:39Everybody really sweating it out all day long hoping that no rain would fall and it didn't.
- 16:43If it rained any at all today it would have knocked this game out because this field just couldn't stand any water now.
- 16:49Roger Wyens, here's his pitch. Look out, he has to hit the dirt to get out of the way and he made him wiggle.
- 16:54One ball and two strikes.
- 16:59A hard one got away from Roger and Julian Hobie had to get out of the way in a hurry.
- 17:10Roger Craig tall rangey right hander with a world of determination and pitching know-how.
- 17:16He was delighted to get a chance to pitch for the New York Mets.
- 17:20He worked hard all winter prior to reporting to spring training and he is in perfect shape.
- 17:25Nice through the hole.
- 17:29Up with the ball, takes it back in.
- 17:31Javier is out with a single drill through the hole in the left field.
- 17:38So there is the initial base hit of the ball again.
- 17:44Here is Bill White the first baseman.
- 17:51Big Bill White, he hit 286 last year, a six footer from Rock Hill, Missouri.
- 17:56Left hand batter and he was a particular nemesis for Roger Craig last season.
- 18:03Here's the pitch by Roger, a little bit low, taken ball one.
- 18:06Don Zimmer even with the bag but wired the line at third and Felix Fantier shaded towards second.
- 18:11Ashburn a very deep center field and around toward right center.
- 18:15Fell about two strides off the warning path and deep right.
- 18:19Gil Hatch is holed against a speedy Julian Javier.
- 18:21He can really fly.
- 18:22Now through to first as Craig keeps an eye on him.
- 18:36Throwing to first once again.
- 18:38Roger Craig on the mound for the Mets.
- 18:41Roger was born in Durham, North Carolina for the last three years.
- 18:44He's made his home in Long Beach, California.
- 18:48He started out 12 years ago at Newport News.
- 18:55Craig now a seven year veteran with a lifetime record of 49 wins and 38 losses.
- 19:02Now Roger makes the one second stop.
- 19:03Time is called by Bill White and he steps out of the batter's box.
- 19:11In 59 when the Dodgers won the pennant, time and again it was Roger Craig who strolled in to pitch the big game.
- 19:17In the big pressure game of them all when the Cubs had to be beaten, Roger took to the mound and was in command all the way.
- 19:25And now he takes on the responsibility of the big opening game here in St. Louis.
- 19:30Next pitch, round ball and through the hole in the right field for a face hit.
- 19:34Oh yeah, on track, he's flying on to third.
- 19:37And the Cardinals have a run by first and third.
- 19:53And a counter hit by Bill White just beyond the reach of Gil Hodges who tried to make a backhand playoff.
- 20:00Stan Musial is up to his.
- 20:08Now Don Zemmler comes over from third to talk for a moment to Roger Craig.
- 20:13Stan Musial who virtually owns the National League Record Book.
- 20:21Glitters on first and third, one on.
- 20:25Charlie Neal and Felix Mantilla setting up hoping for a shot at a double play.
- 20:29Inside and low it's ball one. Low breaking ball thrown by Craig.
- 20:35Musial after 20 years has a lifetime average of glittering 333.
- 20:44The outfield deep and a run toward right.
- 20:47No score, last half of the first Cardinals threatening.
- 20:50Off the outside edge, Musial takes it.
- 20:53And it's two balls and no strikes, understand the math.
- 21:06Manager Johnny Keene running his ball club off the lines of third with Harry Walker coaching at first.
- 21:12Now throw to first by Craig, not in time. Bill White easily getting back.
- 21:19Craig up in pitching position delivers, grounded foul on the first baseland no play.
- 21:29Now Obie Landriff moves out toward the mound to get together with Roger Craig.
- 21:36Last year Stan played 123 games at 288.
- 21:41But he hit 15 home runs and he knocked 70 runs in.
- 21:48During his brilliant 20 year career Musial has hit 444 home runs.
- 21:57Now Craig up in pitching position, a two run delivery.
- 22:00Outside ball three and now it's three and one on Musial.
- 22:06Roger Craig, six foot four is right hander trying to pitch out of a jam here in the last half of the first inning.
- 22:17Now throw to first, not in time. Bill White hurrying back.
- 22:27Obierre the lead runner on third, Bill White on first.
- 22:29Now the pitch thrown, the runner goes toward second.
- 22:31A fly ball hit the short left field, Thomas coming hard, coming hard.
- 22:35In the score comes Obierre and the Cardinals go in front one to nothing.
- 22:49Stan Musial, a Texas League base hit the short left field.
- 22:54A fly that landed in between Felix Fantilla and Frank Thomas.
- 22:59Obierre comes in to score at the Cardinals lead one to nothing.
- 23:03Coming up next in the New York left bullpen, Bob Warhead, a right hander, starts getting ready.
- 23:13Three hits in a row now for the Cardinals.
- 23:17Now the batter is Ken Boyer. He's led the Cardinal offense for the last four years.
- 23:22Bok and a Bok is called on Roger Craig.
- 23:25Roger turned to throw to first but Gil Hock has a shot over there covering.
- 23:29He realized he couldn't throw, he held up and it's a Bok.
- 23:33Moving White to third and Musial to second.
- 23:42Roger perhaps a little bit upset by the anxiety of the opening ball game
- 23:47and of the three hits in a row by the St. Louis Cardinals.
- 23:52Now Gil Hock just comes over from first to talk to Roger Craig.
- 24:10Now the Redbirds have winners on second and third, one out, they have one run in.
- 24:14Lost to the first inning, Boyer the hitter.
- 24:20Now he'll be crossed behind the plate, signs for the pitch.
- 24:24Ashburn strides a bit toward left center against Ken Boyer, right hand hitter with a lot of power.
- 24:29Craig swings into his windup, here's the pitch on the way.
- 24:32Outside and low it's ball one.
- 24:41One ball, one strike to Ken Boyer.
- 24:44Last year Ken hit.329, led the Cardinals in hitting.
- 24:49Here's the pitch on the way, outside and low, ball two.
- 24:55Miniman also the on deck batter and then Gene Oliver.
- 25:01The Redbirds feel they have a strong bet in every position in their betting with it this year.
- 25:06Well they feel that Gene Oliver the catcher and Julio Gota at the shortstop both will hit well.
- 25:19Pitching to a 0, strike called on the outside corner to Boyer, two balls and a strike.
- 25:25Roger Craig normally a very fast worker on the mound taking plenty of time as he tries to pitch out of a tough jam
- 25:30the last half of the first inning.
- 25:43Craig winds and pitches, a ground ball slowly hits the third, done their half but one play.
- 25:48He finds the first in time for the outter to let his end.
- 25:51Bill White crossing the plate on the slow bounder.
- 25:54So actually the last two hitters, Musial and Boyer, both great hitters, have been taken off stride by Roger Craig
- 26:01but Musial both went in for a hit to left field and Boyer caught the slow roller that was hit so slow
- 26:06the Dimmons only play with the first base.
- 26:09And now Minimanoso is up.
- 26:16Minimanoso.
- 26:21Federal and American League star for Cleveland and the White Sox who came to the Cardinals in the swamp for Joe Cunningham.
- 26:27Right hand hitter waiting and the pitch is a strike on the inside corner.
- 26:31Many after a dozen campaigns in the American League a left hand 300 hitter.
- 26:36He's an exciting ball player to watch.
- 26:39Like the Mets Don Zimmer he's a scrapper all the way.
- 26:43He always gives you that big head first slide in trying to get that extra base.
- 26:49Many really crowds the plate and he's frequently plunked by pitches but he's willing to take that.
- 26:54Now the pitch on the way.
- 26:56Inside and low one ball one strike.
- 27:05Two runs are in and the Cardinals lead 2-0.
- 27:07They were in the last half of the first inning.
- 27:10Langold extra dry your radio host from St. Louis.
- 27:13We certainly hope you're enjoying it.
- 27:15Now the 1-1 pitch he tried to hold up on the swing and Tom Groenling says he did check up in time.
- 27:21Two balls and a strike.
- 27:31Stan Musial on second to our 2-0 way last half of the first inning.
- 27:40Now Craig with a long look in, kicks the leg delivers a hot foul behind the plate.
- 27:46Landry flips the last of the side.
- 27:48He's already waiting and he grabs it for the op and retires the side.
- 27:52So actually Craig the last three hitters he faced Musial, Boyer and Monoso did an outstanding job.
- 27:57But the St. Louis Cardinals scored two runs.
- 28:00There were three hits.
- 28:02No errors.
- 28:04One man left on.
- 28:06At the end of one the score the St. Louis Cardinals 2 and the New York Mets nothing.
- 28:12Hank Thomas will be leading off against Larry Jackson in the top half of the second.
- 28:16The Mets hoping to dig in and go to work and get the two runs back.
- 28:20Last ball inside and high. It's ball one.
- 28:24Johnny Keene and his pitching coach Harry Paulette.
- 28:29Both feel that Larry Jackson can have a great year and be the bell-caller of the pitching staff.
- 28:35Jackson a 30-year-old right-hander lines and pitches a ground smash to short.
- 28:39Three-year-old go-tie is up with it. Takes to white in time for the op.
- 28:43He almost made his throw too wide but white with a long stretch went out to get it.
- 28:49Won't away nobody on. That'll bring up Gus Bell.
- 28:53The Chicago Cubs and Houston Colts are underway in their game in Houston.
- 29:03Then Hobby pitching for the Cubs and Hal Winoshek for the Houston Colts 45s.
- 29:08The Cubs did not score in the first.
- 29:10Breaking ball outside to Gus Bell ball one.
- 29:13Otherwise in the National League tonight Cincinnati had Los Angeles and Milwaukee had San Francisco.
- 29:18A day game between the Phillies and Pittsburgh was postponed lane.
- 29:26The only day game played was in the American League where the Red Sox defeated Cleveland 4-0 on a four-hit shutout by Bill Manbuket.
- 29:33A smash at heart, a base hit up the middle for Gus Bell.
- 29:36And the New York Mets have their first hit of the campaign and it was a Cleveland by Gus Bell up the middle.
- 29:48Now while we're waiting for Gil Hodge to step in, let's step out for station identification.
- 29:56This is WGY Schenectady.
- 30:00Bob Murphy with Lindsey Nelson and Ralph Keiner.
- 30:07The New York Mets are hitting against Larry Jackson on the top of the second.
- 30:11Gus Bell has just drilled a single to center field.
- 30:13And now the hitter is 38-year-old Gil Hodges.
- 30:16Here's the pitch by Jackson.
- 30:18A blazer that's in there for a tall strike.
- 30:21Gil starting the year with just eight home runs behind Ralph Keiner for the number 10 spot in the all-time home run derby.
- 30:42Breaking ball over, strike on the outside corner.
- 30:45He was spreading a needle with Allen.
- 30:51Gil is 16-year veteran with a lifetime average of 274.
- 31:02Gil has a good chance to join the 2000 hit club this year.
- 31:07One away, one on, the two strike pitch by Jackson and he pops the ball up on the left side of the infield.
- 31:13Kenny Boyer in toward the mat is waiting under it.
- 31:15Boyer takes it for the out.
- 31:20Now there are two away, a runner on first, Gus Bell, and coming onto hit will be Don Zimmer.
- 31:25Cardinals 2, New York Mets nothing.
- 31:27We're in the top half of the second.
- 31:31Detroit and Washington postponed rain in Washington.
- 31:35They are underway in Kansas City.
- 31:37The Minnesota Twins nothing.
- 31:38Kansas City A's nothing at the end of one.
- 31:40That's Camilo Pascual against Wyatt.
- 31:47Now Jackson eyes the runner, then pitches.
- 31:49Swing and a miss on a curve, strike one.
- 31:53Zip lip, the New York Bet hitters throughout spring training.
- 32:01Don got off to a great start for the Chicago Cubs last year.
- 32:04He hit extremely well the first half of the year.
- 32:06And he had a number of timely home runs.
- 32:10Jackson's pitch, a ground smash over the mound over second and base at the center field.
- 32:14Bill O'Mara on second will hold up there as Kirk Flood flips the ball back in.
- 32:18And the much down on singles by Gus Bell and Don Zimmer have two men on.
- 32:31Now coming on to hitter will be Hobie Landry.
- 32:39Hobie had the honor of being the first player selected by the New York Mets in the expansion draft of last October 10th.
- 32:50Hobie originally from Decatur, Illinois, is a 12-year veteran.
- 33:01Hobie a left-hand hitter and the Cardinal outfield shades just a little bit around toward right.
- 33:08Alihemas on the coaching lines at third and Cookie Longa General on the lines at first.
- 33:13The Mets trailing two to nothing now have the tying runs posted with two men down.
- 33:19Third ball in Larry Jackson, takes the one-second stop, kicks the leg, delivers.
- 33:24He starts him off with a fastball, but it's outside.
- 33:26One ball and no strikes.
- 33:31The Cardinals after this game will have an off day tomorrow and then they'll be in Chicago on Friday.
- 33:37The Mets will be coming home to open a four-game weekend series against Pittsburgh.
- 33:41Opening day Friday, a day game Saturday, and a big doubleheader with Pittsburgh on Sunday.
- 33:50Pitching a high fly ball not too deep out the short center field.
- 33:54Everybody running for it and it's Hobie here at the second base, but he grabs it,
- 33:58holds on to it as Kirk Blood barrels into him coming up from behind.
- 34:02But Hobie here holds on to it and the side is retired.
- 34:06A pop fly to short center field.
- 34:09Blood at the last moment tried to sidestep and get out of the way,
- 34:13but he crashed into Hobie here, not too hard.
- 34:16Nobody hurt him. The play on the side is out.
- 34:18No runs, two hits. No errors and two left on.
- 34:22And now at the end of an inning and a half, the score, the Cardinals two and the Mets nothing.
- 34:29Now Gene Oliver leads off in the last half of the second facing Roger Craig.
- 34:33He's fouled on the third baseland, no play.
- 34:51Next pitch on the way, breaking ball over a beauty by Craig.
- 34:55Just drag Cat on, strapping Gene Oliver.
- 35:00Oliver last year at 40 home runs, 36 in the Coast League and four with the Cardinals,
- 35:04and they think he's going to become a real good hitter.
- 35:08Outside and low, Hobie digging it out of the dirt, one ball and two strikes.
- 35:12Gene Oliver is from Moline, Illinois.
- 35:15He has the size, 46'2, weighs 215 pounds.
- 35:2127 years old.
- 35:38Next pitch to him, swing, and he's stuck him out.
- 35:41And Craig with the big motion and a change up really fooled Oliver on that one.
- 35:45So Roger hangs up his first strike out of the game, one out and nobody out.
- 36:00One away and nobody out, and the batter now is Julio Gotay with the shortstop.
- 36:07Last year Julio Gotay played at San Juan and then later at Charles Hill in a franchise move,
- 36:12and he had a good year in AAA, he had 307.
- 36:16He was in ten games with the Cardinals.
- 36:18Outside and low, it's ball one.
- 36:21They have turned over the shortstop job to Gotay and as the old saying goes in baseball,
- 36:26the one opponent you must be strong down the middle, and so Gotay,
- 36:29along with Gene Oliver behind the plate, assume much of the responsibility
- 36:33of whether or not the Cardinals will be a very successful ball club this year.
- 36:38Craig winding the pitch to Gotay, outside and low, ball two to an O.
- 36:48Cardinals two, a much nothing, we're in the last half of the second.
- 36:59Now Craig cranks up, ground ball hit down to third, Zimba racing in,
- 37:03he's up with it, throws to first in time and Gotay is out.
- 37:06Slow grounder and Zimba had to race in for it.
- 37:09Two up and two set aside by Craig and that brings up Larry Jackson.
- 37:21That shandy has been added to the active roster of the St. Louis Cardinals.
- 37:29Two outs to nobody out, here's Jackson.
- 37:33Tonight for Larry Jackson marks the third time he has been honored
- 37:36by pitching the opening game for the Cardinals.
- 37:39Out, out, well hit, left field back to Thomas, he may have room,
- 37:44he's down the barrier and makes the catch.
- 37:46Right up against the wall, deep left field, Blank Thomas pulls it in.
- 37:52That ball was well hit by Larry Jackson.
- 37:54He almost put that one into the seat in the bleachers in left center.
- 37:58No runs, no hits, no errors, none left on.
- 38:02At the end of two innings to score, the St. Louis Cardinals 2
- 38:05and the New York Mets nothing.
- 38:10Now we're all set to go here on the third inning.
- 38:12The Mets coming up hoping to get a couple of runs back
- 38:14and all set to step in and paint the word picture for you.
- 38:17And best of luck Ralph as we swing into the big new season, Ralph Kiner.
- 38:21Thank you Bob Murphy and all set to go here for the Mets,
- 38:23Roger Craig against Larry Jackson, both from the right hand side.
- 38:27Two-nothing game, St. Louis, first pitch to Roger, swing and a miss, strike one.
- 38:34Cardinals picked up two runs in the first inning.
- 38:41Top of the third right now, Roger Craig the batter.
- 38:46Jackson back with a fastball called strike two.
- 38:49So Larry Jackson on top of Roger Craig, no balls and two strikes.
- 38:57It'll be Roger Craig, Richie Ashburn and Felix Mantia here in the top of the third inning.
- 39:08Jackson back, catches the outside corner, got him looking, strike three.
- 39:12So Jackson picks up his first strike out of the ball game.
- 39:15Roger Craig going down and the batter stepping in is Richie Ashburn.
- 39:19Richie flied out to center field in his first time a bat in this National League season.
- 39:24Last year he hit.257 for the Chicago Cubs, has a lifetime batting average of.308.
- 39:30Twice has led the National League in batting with.338 in 1955 and.350 in 1958.
- 39:37Left handed batter, outfield shifting over to the left side.
- 39:41Ken Boyer right on top of third base and just about a step in.
- 39:46Gotai deep in the hole at the shortstop position.
- 39:49First pitch to Richie, taken at the knees, a curveball, strike one.
- 40:02Minimanoso left field, way over towards the left field side near the foul line.
- 40:06Kurt Flutton center field over in left center field.
- 40:09One strike pitch to Richie is called, strike two.
- 40:12Is Jackson working quickly here, picks up two quick strikes.
- 40:18Larry Jackson last year won 14 mile, losing 11 ball games, got off to a very slow start,
- 40:23then won 11 out of his next 12 starts.
- 40:25Has a lifetime record of 85 wins and 75 losses.
- 40:2930 years old, he's the number one right hander.
- 40:32Now the two strike pitch to Ashburn.
- 40:35He goes through the hole in the left field, a base hit, and Richie gets his first base hit of the 1962 season.
- 40:40Puts a runner at first base and brings up Felix Mantia.
- 40:44Well Richie had to thread the needle, he had about 15 feet to hit that one between the third baseman and the shortstop,
- 40:49and he did, he hit it sharply on the ground in the left field.
- 40:52So it's hit number three, picked up by the New York Mets.
- 40:56And coming down now Felix Mantia who ground it out to the third baseman.
- 41:00Last year he hit.215 for Milwaukee, has a utility ball player.
- 41:03Has a lifetime average of.231.
- 41:05Now out on the mound, Jackson talking with the shortstop, Gautier, and the second baseman, Javier.
- 41:10And they're evidently going over who will cover if a double play situation comes up as far as the pitcher's concerned.
- 41:17Normally the second baseman or the shortstop, either one designated before the ball game,
- 41:21will give a sign to the other ball player as to who will cover on each pitch.
- 41:26They shift around, depending actually on the speed of the pitch, the fastball or the curve.
- 41:31Ashburn with a good sized lead at first base, draws a throw, but he gets back in time.
- 41:37Mantia right-hander deep in the box. Jackson looking, throws home. It's high for ball one.
- 41:48On deck, Charlie Neal.
- 41:51Coaching the third base, Salahimas giving the sign to the batter as Felix Mantia looks down to see what's going on.
- 41:59Score two-nothing in favor of the St. Louis Cardinals, top of the third.
- 42:03Jackson checking Ashburn at first. There's a ball fouled away. Strike one. One ball, one strike.
- 42:09The field condition here at Bush Stadium is not good.
- 42:14Yesterday's opener postponed because of rain, and it was actually mainly due to the field condition being so wet that the game could not be played.
- 42:21That's the first opener that's been postponed in St. Louis in 25 years.
- 42:28One-one count on Mantia.
- 42:32Jackson checking Ashburn at first. Comes to the plate, curve ball, it's high. Ball two. Two balls, one strike.
- 42:43Made explained in his seventh major league season. Now Gortak comes on in to talk to Jackson once more.
- 42:54This is the 87th National League opener. First game was played way back in 1876 when Boston beat Philadelphia 6-5.
- 43:09Couple of scores on the big board in left center field. Houston two, the curve's nothing. That's at the end of two.
- 43:15Minnesota nothing, Kansas City nothing at the end of two. Right here it's two-nothing Cardinals, top of the third.
- 43:20Now set the goal, a check in the swing, it's up high, ball three. So Jackson now behind three balls and one strike.
- 43:26Ashburn at first base, one man out.
- 43:30No wind at all at this point. Earlier in the ball game it was blowing in slightly from left field.
- 43:35In fact, it held up a real strong bit by Larry Jackson for a home run off of Roger Craig.
- 43:43Both teams with three hits.
- 43:45Ashburn checking the coach at first, Cookie Lavageto, looking for the steal. He goes, the pitch is swung on foul, down in the dirt off of the foot of the catcher, Gene Oliver.
- 43:55And time is called. That'll send Ashburn back as the count goes full. Three balls and two strikes.
- 44:01Now the trainer coming out to take a look at the right foot of the catcher. Jackson there talking it over with him.
- 44:08And now Bill White coming in to see what's going on.
- 44:14Cardinals jumped out to a quick lead in the first inning after Kurt Fudd had flied out to center field.
- 44:20Javier single to left. Bill White then moved him down to second base with a single.
- 44:26Then he scored on a group single by Sam Musial.
- 44:31And then Bill White who had gone over to third base on a box scored on an infield out by Ken Boyer.
- 44:37The only two runs of the ball game.
- 44:39Now 3-2 pitch to Felix Mantia. Ashburn goes. The pitch is swung on foul back in the screen.
- 44:45Another kind of hold at three balls and two strikes with one out.
- 44:56Fine crowd on end. It was estimated that they would draw approximately 20,000 people for the opening night.
- 45:03And in spite of the fact that the temperature has to be pretty close to 50 degrees, we have about that many out here.
- 45:08Bleachers in left field and in right field, practically full.
- 45:14Now the 3-2 set up. Mantia the batter.
- 45:17Ashburn being held. Now goes. The pitch is hit on the ground and fouls.
- 45:21So once again the count will stay at three balls and two strikes.
- 45:24Well Ashburn who had trouble all spring with his legs now getting a good workout running on the 3-2 pitch.
- 45:29For the ball game he said his leg, actually both legs, have come along very nicely.
- 45:35He's in good shape to start the season.
- 45:41Metz had very little injury trouble during spring training.
- 45:463-2. Mantia the batter. Ashburn does not go. The pitch is high and Mantia gets first base free.
- 45:51So Jackson gives up his first walk of the ball game and that moves Ashburn 90 feet down to second base.
- 45:57Puts Mantia on first. He's a potential time running the batter is Charlie Neal.
- 46:01Neal fought out to right field, actually a semi-aligned drive. He is 0-1 as a lifetime average of 265.
- 46:08Last year with the Los Angeles Dodgers hit 235.
- 46:19Richie Ashburn at second base. At first base Mantia. At the plate Charlie Neal.
- 46:24In field playing straight away, outfield straight away. The on deck batter Frank Thomas.
- 46:30One man down to score 2-0 St. Louis Cardinals. Jackson checking Ashburn at second comes inside with a slider.
- 46:37Ball one. Neal moving away, falls down on the ground. It wasn't too close. One ball, those strikes.
- 46:47Charlie Neal had a fine spring for the Metz.
- 46:51And manager Casey Stengel says you got to figure this man in the first division as a second baseman.
- 46:56He can play on any team. Next pitch foul away, strike one. One ball, one strike.
- 47:03Charlie Neal can play shortstop. Although the Metz have not used him there at any time.
- 47:12Ashburn looking down at Salihaemus at third base. Four sign. Mantia at first base has a short lead.
- 47:18Bill White playing behind him. One man out. Jackson checking Ashburn. Now comes with a 1-1 pitch.
- 47:25It's up high. Ball two. Two balls, one strike. One out.
- 47:40Jackson is 30 years old, 6 foot 2. Weighs 190 pounds.
- 47:49The 2-1 pitch to Neal is inside. Ball three. So now Jackson a pitch away from loading him up.
- 47:55Three balls and one strike.
- 48:00Jackson last year got off to a very slow start when he had his jaw broken.
- 48:04With a piece of a flying bat from the bat of Duke Snider.
- 48:12At the halfway mark he had won three games while losing eight.
- 48:15Then he came on to win 11 of his next 12 and ended up with a season of 14-11.
- 48:20Now the 3-1 pitch to Charlie Neal. On the ground throwing to the right field.
- 48:25Ashburn running third. Will come on in. Mantia is going over to third base.
- 48:29The throw was not cut off by Gotay. But Charlie Neal holds it first.
- 48:33The Metz have scored their first run of the 1962 season and their first run in their history in the National League play.
- 48:39It's a 2-1 game. Runners at first and third base and the batter is Frank Thomas.
- 48:47Charlie Neal with a base hit to the hole in the right field.
- 48:51Picks up his first run battered into the 1962 season. The game is 2-1 in favor of the Cardinals and Frank Thomas steps in.
- 48:58Frank was out on the ground at the shortstop in his first try.
- 49:01Last year hit 281 for the Milwaukee Braves and the Chicago Cubs.
- 49:06He had 27 home runs and 73 runs battered in and he has a lifetime average of 268.
- 49:25Charlie Neal at first base. At third base Phoenix Mantia.
- 49:29The first pitch to Thomas is swung on a missed strike one.
- 49:32Good curveball by Larry Jackson on the outside corner.
- 49:432-1 Cardinals. Top of the third inning.
- 49:48Thomas the cleanup batter playing in left field. Stands right on top of the plate.
- 49:54You can't get any closer.
- 49:56Jackson looks in for the sign and backs off the mound. Asks for another.
- 50:01Gene Oliver the catcher gives it to him. He said Neal with a short lead at first base.
- 50:06One out and the pitch to Thomas is hit out from center field. Deep to center field.
- 50:10Fart is there. Neal has tagged up at first base.
- 50:14The runner third tagged up has come on in and that ties it up a 2-2.
- 50:18So Frank Thomas on a sacrifice fly to deep center field. Ties the game up at two apiece.
- 50:26As Mantia scores from third base and on the throw in to second base.
- 50:29Charlie Neal went back into first.
- 50:36That brings up Gus Bell. Gus got the first base hit for the Mets in the second inning.
- 50:41A single to center field.
- 50:49Gus about a 2-55. A throw to first base. Neal dives back in. Got back in safely.
- 50:54Jackson with a good move to first base.
- 50:57Jackson with a good move to first base.
- 51:03Gus the left handed batter. And the first base to him a fastball. It's outside. Ball one.
- 51:14Two runs are in. The game all tied up at 2-2. Top of the third inning.
- 51:19Gus playing his 13th major league season.
- 51:25Outfield slightly to right. Again that quick throw to first base.
- 51:29Gus and Neal goes back in on his hands and knees this time. The play is not quite that close but Neal is taking no chances.
- 51:37Time called as Gus steps out of the batter's box. The on deck batter is Gil Hodges.
- 51:47Larry Jackson the right hander now checking Neal at first.
- 51:52Still looking. Out comes to the plate. It's up to right field. High in the air.
- 51:56Gil back on the warning track. Has room. And he makes the catch.
- 52:01And so now with the score all tied. The New York Mets score their first two runs of the 1962 season.
- 52:08In the inning for the Mets. Two runs. On two base. No errors. One man left and a score.
- 52:14At the end two and one half innings of play. The New York Mets 2. The St. Louis Cardinals 2.
- 52:21Coming up now jazz. Smooth, swab and sweet. Why don't you listen.
- 52:26My beer is Rhino to dry beer. Think of Rhino whenever you buy beer. It's not bitter, not sweet. It's a dry flavored treat. Won't you try extra dry Rhino beer.
- 52:54Like the song says people everywhere sing out my beer is Rhino to dry beer. And dry tells you why. Yes sir.
- 53:02Dry tells you Rhino has a brisk, bright, clean taste all of its own. Discover the difference dry makes.
- 53:09Pour yourself a tall refreshing glass of Rhino extra dry. Enjoy it along right with the ball game.
- 53:19Well now while we have a quick second we pause for station identification.
- 53:30This is WGYS connected.
- 53:34All set to go. The bottom half of the third and the first pitch for the leadoff men for the Cardinals.
- 53:38Kirk Flood is outside ball one. On the mound for the New York Mets. Roger Craig to score the game 2-2. Bottom half of the third inning.
- 53:48For the right hander. Lines won by Zimmer in the left field. The base hit. Coming in now Thomas picks it up, holds him there and Flood has his first base hit of the 1962 season.
- 53:57Hit number four off Roger Craig. The hits are all even.
- 54:02Flood had previously played out the center field as the leadoff batter for the Cardinals. He is now one for two and the batter is stepping on Julian Javier.
- 54:10Javier with a base hit. The left field. And this first time up he's going to run.
- 54:14First one of the ball game. The right handed batter hit 279 last year to lead all second basemen in the National League in batting.
- 54:25Roger Craig the right hander. Flood can fly at first base. He's got a good lead. 2-2 game. First pitch is Trite. Attempted a bunt down the third base line. Foul back in the lander's glove. Strike one.
- 54:37Javier a very fast man. Zimmer at third base playing very shallow. Outfield straight away. And both Charlie and the other man, Deer, short at their respective positions of second base and shortstop.
- 54:53Flood at first base very speedy. The batter Javier very speedy.
- 54:59Roger Craig into the stretch checking the runner at first base. And to the plate. There goes Flood. A pitch out. The throw to second base is on the wrong side and Flood gets in.
- 55:09No third quad with a stolen base. As the throw had to be a perfect throw to get him. The throw was on the wrong side of the bag. No play made. And they count one ball one strike.
- 55:20That puts the potential go ahead run at second base with no one out in the bottom half of the third.
- 55:32Right now into the stretch and to the plate. A smash in the left field on the ground. Here comes Flood around third base. Thomas Hopp does not throw.
- 55:40That's what stops there with no one out and the throw goes into second base. So now the Cardinals with a score tied 2-2 have runners at first and third base with no one out in the batters. Bill White.
- 55:51White picked up a single in his only damn it bat in the game. He has won for one.
- 55:58Left handed batter now Zimmer is talking to Roger Craig in the mouth.
- 56:04Hit number five picked up by the St. Louis Cardinals.
- 56:18Bill White who hit 286 last year. 20 home runs, 90 runs batted in. He has a lifetime average of 281.
- 56:26Big strong left handed batter acquired from the San Francisco Giants. Runners at first and third. The infield back.
- 56:32First pitch is down to third. Lander keeps it in front of him. Ball one. Curve ball that was too long.
- 56:38Now time is called as Tom Gorman walks out in front of him on plate. He wants the ball looked at. It is looked at by second base umpire Ed Soudal.
- 56:522-2 game. Cardinals now in the bottom half of the third but runners at first and third base. No one out. Bill White the batter.
- 57:06The on deck batter is damn usual. Now Craig set to the plate. Swung on a foul chip down to third strike one. One ball one strike.
- 57:28Roger Craig 6 foot 4 making his debut for the New York Mets. Last year was 5 and 6 for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He appeared in 40 games.
- 57:42Now the pitch to Bill White. Too low. Ball two. Craig missing with a slider down below the knees. Two balls one strike.
- 57:50Zimmer playing back at third base. They're going for the double play. They'll give up the run.
- 58:05Throw to first base. Haar just puts the tag on but Javier is back easily.
- 58:15Now Craig calls time. He wants a new ball. And Tom Gorman gives it to him. And Craig says I want another one. He changes again.
- 58:25Richard can get a new ball at any time in a ball game. A batter can only request that a ball be put in play.
- 58:37Minnesota has gone out in front of Kansas City in the top of the fourth 2-0.
- 58:43Right here it's 2-2. Craig Arnuman set to go. At the end of three Houston to Chicago nothing.
- 58:54Into the stretch and the pitch to Bill White. Line to right field. That's what Cardinal got it.
- 58:59Here comes Bell to go across the diamond. It's cut off by Manquias out of the air. Goes into third base and White ends up in first.
- 59:13He drives in his first run. The score now the same to this Cardinal's three. The New York Mets two.
- 59:23Well there was no doubt about that base hit. It was a line shot to right field. Now warming up in the bullpen. Craig Morehead for the New York Mets.
- 59:36Hit number six for the Cardinals. And the batter is Dan Muirjoy.
- 59:47Dan drove in the first run of the game when he dropped a single in front of Frank Thomas in left field.
- 59:54And this fellow holds the highest lifetime batting average of any active player in Major League Ball. 333.
- 1:00:00Last year he hit 288 for the Cardinals. And he has a total of 444 home runs in his Major League career.
- 1:00:08Dan at bat in the first pitch to Stan is outside. A fastball. Ball one. Javier at third base. At first base Bill White.
- 1:00:22Craig's control has not been too sharp tonight. Pitch back to Stan. Line to right field. Bell is going over near the wall. Cuts it off near the corner. A runner's in. Here comes White to third base. He's going to fly and throw. A throw by Neal. Two landers at the same time. A tag and he is out.
- 1:00:40On the play Stan Muirjoy moves on down to second base. If you're scoring it went from the right fielder at Cuts Bell to Charlie Neal to the catcher lander. 9-4 to 2. A runner's in. And the score of the ball game is now 4-3 St. Louis Cardinals.
- 1:00:54And Stan Muirjoy picks up his second hit of the ball game and his second run batted in.
- 1:01:03It took a perfect throw by Charlie Neal in the second base cutoff position to Neal. Bill White trying to score from first base. And it was perfect. Landers got the ball just as White arrived. The tag was unnecessary because the throw was in perfect position.
- 1:01:18And out of batter is Ken Boyer.
- 1:01:30Boyer drove in a run when he grounded out to Zimmer. Takes down low ball one. He is all for one.
- 1:01:47And it's Stan Muirjoy with the double on the base hit. Pitch to Boyer is outside ball two. So Roger Craig now is Stan Muirjoy at second base. Has a 2-0 count on Ken Boyer right handed batter.
- 1:02:00Boyer last year 3-29. He had 24 home runs. 95 runs batted in. He has a lifetime batting average of 2-99.
- 1:02:13Craig throws a foul tip. Strike one. Two balls, one strike. One out.
- 1:02:19And the St. Louis Cardinals bottom half of the third inning.
- 1:02:36Boyer still throwing in the bullpen for the New York Mets. As Roger Craig looks in for the sign of the 2-1 pitch.
- 1:02:45Muirjoy with a short lead at second base. The ball is on the ground at the shortstop side. Zimmer cuts it off for playing play. The throw to Hodges in time.
- 1:02:53Don Zimmer cutting across in front of the shortstop man. Tia made a one handed glove catch with a hard ground ball. Turned through in time to get Boyer free first for out number two.
- 1:03:03And the play stand Muirjoy held at second base and the batter stepping in is Mini Monoso.
- 1:03:11Monoso fouled out in the first inning. Right handed batter who hit 2-84 at the Chicago White Sox last year. He has a lifetime average of 3-04.
- 1:03:23Muirjoy at second base with two outs. Craig throws. It's outside ball one. Slider missing off the outside corner.
- 1:03:31No strikes.
- 1:03:45Craig looking for the sign from Hobie Landriff. Throw to low. Ball two. Slider down below the knees. Two balls and no strikes.
- 1:03:54Roger Craig wearing 38 in the mound for the New York Mets. At first base is Gil Hodges. Charlie Neal at second. What a fine play he just pulled off to get wide at home on a relay throw.
- 1:04:03Felix Mantia at shortstop. Don Zimmer at third. Frank Thomas in left field. Ricky Ashburn in center field. Gus Beller right field.
- 1:04:12And Hobie Landriff giving the 2-0 sign to Roger Craig.
- 1:04:17Monoso lines one to right field. Bell coming on. Can't get to it. Takes it on the first bounce. Here comes a throw to Hall. Muirjoy is throwing the score.
- 1:04:24And now they have Monoso on the run down. It's over to Charlie Neal. Back to the pitcher. And now Zimmer makes the play and they say that possibly there's an argument on the play but it is not ruled obstruction at all.
- 1:04:37And if you're scoring on the play another run has come into the ball game. It's 5-2 in favor of the Mets as Monoso gets a single to drive in his first run. And the scoring on the run down play from the right fielder Gus Bell to the first baseman
- 1:04:50Gil Hodges to the second baseman Charlie Neal and back to Don Zimmer at first base. So it goes 9-3 to 4-5. And in the inning for the St. Louis Cardinals they pick up three runs on five base hits and the score at the end of three complete innings of play.
- 1:05:10The St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 the New York Mets 2. Well in this first ball game of the 1962 season we've seen plenty of action already. And the New York Mets have scored their first two runs ever.
- 1:05:30The first base hit picked up by a Met in a ball game and their history was by Gus Bell in the second inning.
- 1:05:42There's the official announcement that the run scored by Sam Mugell was his 1,859th run scored in his major league career and it ties the all-time national league record held by Melod.
- 1:05:57Well that's going to be one of probably many records, national league all-time records that Sam Mugell will set this year. He has a chance to set the all-time record in hits. That's held by Honest Wagner.
- 1:06:08The all-time record in advance was also held by Honest Wagner. The all-time record of runs batted in held by Melod. The all-time record of games played held by Wagner.
- 1:06:17The all-time record of major league base hits, long hits held by Babe Ruth. The all-time record of total bases held by Gus. Sam Mugell just tying one of the all-time records. Now we're at the top of the fourth.
- 1:06:28And the first batter Gil Hodges takes outside from Larry Jackson. Larry Jackson working in the top of the fourth inning to score the ball game 5-2 in favor of the St. Louis Cardinals as they have gone out in front in the third with three big runs.
- 1:06:45Gil popped up to the third baseman. He is all for one. Right hander back and there's a drive deep to left field. This one could go all the way but also it's backed by the ball. He can't get to it a home run.
- 1:07:07Gil Hodges was a home run for the New York Mets. Their first one that's 362 for Gil Hodges, the first run of this ball game. And the score of the game is now 5-3.
- 1:07:18That was a deep drive to left field against the wind that went in about 14 rows in the area about 358 feet away from home plate and now Don Zimmer steps in 5-3 in favor of the St. Louis Cardinals.
- 1:07:33And the second has a single, a one time up. Takes high, ball one. Right handed batter against Larry Jackson.
- 1:07:43A home run by Gil Hodges has just placed him ahead of Joe DiMaggio on the all time home run list. A swing and a foul, strike one. One ball, one strike. Don Zimmer.
- 1:08:08Still throwing in the bullfans for the New York Mets. Now Larry Jackson but his one-one fits to the right handed batters. Zimmer, hard ground ball down to Javier at second base. He moves to his right, comes up, throws in time. Out number one.
- 1:08:34Coming out the batter is Hobie Landrieuft. Left handed batter for the New York Mets. He bats in the eighth position. He popped up to the second baseman in his first try in 1962.
- 1:08:47There's a drive to right field down the right field line but going foul. Landrieuft picking on a slow curve ball, lined it down the right field line but just a little bit too far in the foul territory. Strike one.
- 1:08:58The field dimensions here at Bush Stadium, 310 feet down the right field line. In right center, 354 feet but running from the 310 mark to the 354 mark, a high screen so a home run has to travel about 30 feet in the air above the ground level.
- 1:09:15Jackson back outside, ball one. One ball, one strike. In straightaway center field, it's 422 feet. In left center field, 379 feet and down the left field line, 351. This is a left handed hitters ballpark.
- 1:09:32Jackson in the lined up and back to Landrieuft with a one one pitch. A let up that's fouled away, strike two. One ball, two strikes.
- 1:10:01One two pitch to Landrieuft outside, ball two. Fastball just missing off the corner. Two balls, two strikes. One out. Five to three, St. Louis Cardinals bottom, make that the top of the fourth inning.
- 1:10:22Jackson back and a fly ball out the left field. Coming on slowly, Monoso, he's there. Pounds his glove once and makes the catch. Monoso makes his first put out in the national leg and we have a pinch hitter coming up for the New York Mets.
- 1:10:37Boucher now coming in to back forward to New York Mets. Ed Boucher, and that means that Roger Craig will go out of the ball game and warming up in the bullpen for the Mets. Craig Morehead.
- 1:10:55Bob Morehead, number 22, will come in the game in place of Roger Craig. Boucher takes it inside, ball one. Boucher left handed batter.
- 1:11:18Jackson back and it's on the knees, strike one. One ball, one strike to Ed Boucher.
- 1:11:37You've been out to score the ball game five to three in favor of the Cardinals. And the one-one pitch to Boucher way inside. It gets by Oliver going back for the screen ball two. Two balls, one strike.
- 1:11:57Boucher last year with the Chicago Cubs came up with a Philadelphia Phillies. Now Jackson looking for the sign from Gene Oliver, has it. And the two-one pitch is high outside, ball three.
- 1:12:12So Boucher, the first pitch that are used by the Mets in their history, three balls, one strike.
- 1:12:29Jackson says, give me another sign on the three-one count. Still looking. Now sets into the windup. Back to the plate, high outside, ball four. So Boucher picks up a walk. That's Jackson's second walk in the ball game.
- 1:12:45And that puts the runner at first base and brings up Richie Ashburn. Richie one for two. He's single in the left field and scored a run in the third inning and he flied out to center field.
- 1:12:59He represents the potential tying run. On deck batter, Felix Mantia. Bill White in first base, holding Boucher on. And the Cardinals shifting around towards the left on Ashburn.
- 1:13:14Jackson's first pitch is strike, a strike called. Ashburn decoying the butt, moved on down the line as Oda Bunny. Paul Boucher in quickly from third base. No balls and one strike.
- 1:13:37Jackson checking the runner at first. Back to the plate. It's a slider that's over strike two. No balls and two strikes. Richie Ashburn in the batter.
- 1:13:55Defensively for the St. Louis Cardinals, Oliver behind home plate, first base Bill White. He has now moved behind Boucher.
- 1:14:01At second base, Javier, shortstop, Goethe, third base, Ken Boyer. But also Flau'at Amu'jul in the outfield left to right.
- 1:14:08The two strike pitch lined onto White at first base on the first half. He makes a fine play, goes over, taps the back himself and every tie is a side.
- 1:14:17That ball was well hit. And in the inning for the New York Mets, they pick up one run on their first home run.
- 1:14:25Gil Hodges, 362nd. One base hit. No errors, no one left in the score at the end.
- 1:14:32Three and one half innings are played at St. Louis Cardinals five and New York Mets three.
- 1:14:39You know, being New York's largest selling fair, you'd figure that Reingold had quite a story behind it.
- 1:14:44But actually, it can be summed up in two words. Yes, two little words, extra dry.
- 1:14:50Those two little words tell you why Reingold has a flavor all its own. An extra refreshing flavor other beers just don't have.
- 1:14:58Reingold's extra dry brewing is long, slow, and costly, but it makes a big difference in taste.
- 1:15:04The flavor of Reingold comes through brisk and bright and clean. It's beer as beer should taste.
- 1:15:10Any wonder then that millions of people say, my beer is Reingold, the dry beer. But discover the difference that dry makes yourself.
- 1:15:19Enjoy fine gold Reingold right along with the game. Just open up or order up Reingold extra dry.
- 1:15:26While we're moving to the bottom half of the fourth inning with the score of the ball game five to three in favor of the St. Louis Cardinals as they come to bat,
- 1:15:38and now in the ball game for the Mets, Bob Moorehead, big tall right-hander, and he's taking his warm up pitches.
- 1:15:45Bob Moorehead, the right-hander now completing the tosses. He'll be working to Gene Oliver here in the bottom half of the fourth.
- 1:15:59Last year, Moorehead was at Jersey City. He had a five and six record. He appeared in 21 games.
- 1:16:14And he had a fine Irwin average of 3.33. Comes from Pennsylvania. He's 6'1, 170 pounds.
- 1:16:21Then his first pitch to Oliver, just too low, ball one. Roger Craig started the ball game for the Mets.
- 1:16:27He worked the first three innings giving up the five runs on seven hits. He chucked out one, he walked none.
- 1:16:33So Moorehead will work to Oliver, Goja, and Jackson here in the bottom of the fourth inning.
- 1:16:38There's a base hit. The line caught by Mantia and it almost tears him away as he catches the ball off the jumping high in the air.
- 1:16:44Fine play by Phoenix Mantia on a shot by the catcher Gene Oliver.
- 1:17:01So Moorehead picks up his first out and the batter's stepping in. Julio Gortay.
- 1:17:06He's our right-handed batter. Score of the game is five to three, St. Louis.
- 1:17:14Bob, just outside, ball one with a fastball. Moorehead throws a good, sinking fastball.
- 1:17:19Has a long sweeping motion with his delivery.
- 1:17:24He was very effective all spring. Now looking in for the sign.
- 1:17:34He's outside, ball two. Gortay grounded out to the third baseman Zimmer in his only try.
- 1:17:42And this fellow holds the key to the St. Louis Cardinals' penitentiary.
- 1:17:49Young shortstop, but they are depending on a pawn to really hold them together in the infield.
- 1:17:54Two-ball pitch on the ground off the end of the bat, down to the second baseman Neal.
- 1:17:58He comes in, feels it by the grass, throws over to Hodges in time, and Gortay is down.
- 1:18:02So Moorehead now two up and two down, and the batter coming on, Larry Jackson.
- 1:18:07Jackson flied out deep to left field in his first try,
- 1:18:11moving Thomas right back to the warning track about 350 feet from home plate.
- 1:18:27Now time is called as Landrup and Diaz, Zimmer, and Neal all talk it over with Bob Moorehead on demand.
- 1:18:40Larry Jackson, the right-handed batter, stepping in the batter's box.
- 1:18:44Score of the game, five to three St. Louis, bottom half of the fourth inning.
- 1:18:50Minnesota now has gone out in front of Kansas City, three to nothing, top of the fifth inning.
- 1:18:55Moorehead catches with a curveball, strike one to Jackson.
- 1:19:01No balls, one strike.
- 1:19:07Jackson, the right-handed batter, slider outside, ball one, one ball, one strike.
- 1:19:13Cardinals score two in the first.
- 1:19:15The Vets tied it up with two in the top of the third, and the Cardinals went out in front in the bottom of the third with three.
- 1:19:21And Gil Hodges made it five to three with his first home run of the 62 season, number 362 in his career.
- 1:19:28One-one pitch in the air to shallow center field, coming on his atch for it, and he's signaling.
- 1:19:33He's there and makes the catch.
- 1:19:35And that does it in the fourth for the St. Louis Cardinals, three up and three down.
- 1:19:38The score at the end of the fourth, the St. Louis Cardinals five, the New York Mets three.
- 1:19:44And now as we move to the fifth inning of the ball game, here is Bob Murphy.
- 1:19:50And out here is the summary over the first four innings.
- 1:19:54First, the line score for the Cardinals, five runs on eight hits.
- 1:19:57They've had only one man left on.
- 1:19:59For the New York Mets, three runs on five hits.
- 1:20:02The Mets have had four left on.
- 1:20:04Roger Craig in three innings, gave up five runs, eight hits, walked, nut, and struck.
- 1:20:09And I want to mark the first time since the beginning of spring training that Craig has been hit hard.
- 1:20:14Larry Jackson in four innings has given up three runs on five base hits.
- 1:20:19For the New York Mets, Charlie Neal, Frank Thomas, and Gil Hodges have driven home the runs.
- 1:20:24And for the St. Louis Cardinals, Stan Musial has driven two runs in.
- 1:20:29Kenny Boyer won, Bill White won, and Manny Monoso won.
- 1:20:38Tonight after the game, the New York Mets will be flying back to New York via their chartered airliner.
- 1:20:45They are all very excited about the big welcome and the big reception in the form of the parade down lower Broadway
- 1:20:51and the welcoming from Mayor Wagner at City Hall tomorrow about noon.
- 1:20:56After that, the New York Mets will go out to the Polo Grounds to familiarize themselves with the Polo Grounds
- 1:21:01and the workout to get all set for the home opener Friday against Pittsburgh.
- 1:21:05Remember now, tickets are on sale at Grand Central Station, 42nd and Vanderbilt,
- 1:21:11the Long Island Waiting Room of the Penn Station and the Polo Grounds.
- 1:21:14Ticket reservations may be made at all Howard Closed stores.
- 1:21:20In the fifth inning, it's Felix Mantilla leading off against Larry Jackson.
- 1:21:24He starts him off with a curve, but it bends outside and low. One ball and no strikes.
- 1:21:29Felix has grounded out, third to first. His last time up, he drew a walk and later scored on a long outfield fly by Frank Thomas.
- 1:21:39Now Jackson cranks up, down comes the pitch. A strike on the outside corner. One ball, one strike.
- 1:21:45One thing that has looked good already for the New York Mets has been the fact that the three men
- 1:21:49being counted on by Casey Stengel to provide a long ball, Frank Thomas, Gus Bell, and Gil Hodge,
- 1:21:55is all three have hit a long one.
- 1:22:00Inside and low to Mantilla, he lays off of it, two balls and a strike.
- 1:22:04Thomas hit a ball very deep to center field. That was a sacrifice fly, scoring Mantilla.
- 1:22:09Gil Hodge is, as you would expect Gil to do, a great old pro, building a home run in his first game as a New York Met.
- 1:22:17And Gus Bell hit one deep to right field that Musial backed up today.
- 1:22:23Pitching two and one. Call strike on the outside corner. He picked off the outside edge with that good slider.
- 1:22:29The count is even now at two and two. Charlie Neal on deck and then Frank Thomas.
- 1:22:34The Mets two runs behind as they hit on the top of the fifth inning.
- 1:22:42Nobody on, nobody out. Top half of the fifth. Larry Jackson pitching two and two.
- 1:22:48A drive in the air to center field coming in is Kurt Flood and he makes the catch for the out.
- 1:22:53Hit line drive straight away by Mantilla.
- 1:23:08Charlie Neal, six year veteran.
- 1:23:12Flax and foul off to the right up over the roof and out of play on the count of strike one.
- 1:23:17Charlie came to the New York Mets in a deal involving Lee Walz.
- 1:23:22He paid $125,000 per Lee Walz in the expansion draft and traded him on to the Dodgers to get the valuable Charlie Neal.
- 1:23:32Neal's lifetime batting average after six years is 265.
- 1:23:37Inside and high. One ball, one strike.
- 1:23:43Rookie right hander Ray Washburn may get the starting call from Johnny Keene to pitch the second game for the Redbirds
- 1:23:50The Chicago Cubs open the home season in Chicago.
- 1:23:54One-one delivery. A high fly ball. It's deep to left field. Back to the nose.
- 1:23:59Back to the wall. It is going to his down on a home run.
- 1:24:05Charlie Neal is around third and on the way home with a home run in the left field.
- 1:24:18Now it's five to four. The Mets trailing by just one run.
- 1:24:35Charlie Neal really tied into that one.
- 1:24:40For Charlie Neal, he now has two for three as not two runs in.
- 1:24:46The ball ending about a third of the way up in the left field bleacher.
- 1:24:50Frank Thomas takes a strike on the outside corner.
- 1:24:53The ball went over the green barrier at the 358 foot mark and left.
- 1:24:58Three years ago in 1959 when the Dodgers won the pennant, Charlie had 19 home runs and knocked 83 runs in.
- 1:25:06Jackson Winding, here's his pitch. Swing at a foul. Hips strike two to Frank Thomas.
- 1:25:21Now Johnny Keene has sent the sign to the Redbird bullpen and Ernie Burleo is starting to loosen up.
- 1:25:28Ernie Burleo, a 20-game winner a year before last, is loosening up down the bullpen for the Redbirds.
- 1:25:33It's a five to four ball game. The Mets one behind.
- 1:25:36Outside and low. One ball, two strikes on Frank Thomas.
- 1:25:40Frank Oper one has grounded out short to first.
- 1:25:43In the third inning, he knocks a run in with a long fly to deep center field.
- 1:25:53Larry Jackson working ahead of the batter.
- 1:25:55A ground ball raked down to third. Ken Boyer charging in, boosts the ball and Thomas is on.
- 1:26:03It'll be an error charge to third baseman Ken Boyer and Frank Thomas gets a life.
- 1:26:11And now the Mets have the tying run on and Gus Bell coming up.
- 1:26:15Gus became the first New York Mets to get a base hit when he singled a center field in the second inning.
- 1:26:20And he puts Dan Muzeal right up against a barrier in right field in the third inning to take in his long drive.
- 1:26:30The left hand hitters have always loved a short porch and right here in St. Louis.
- 1:26:34The porch is covered by a screen and anything off the screen is in play.
- 1:26:40Down comes the pitch. An overhand fastball in the outside corner of Carl Strang.
- 1:26:52Two home runs by the New York Mets by Gil Hadgison and by Charlie Neal.
- 1:26:58Bill White holding against the baserunner Frank Thomas.
- 1:27:02One away. The pitch a little bit low. One ball, one strike to Gus Bell.
- 1:27:11Now Gus checking with Sally Hemas. Sally on the lines at third. Cookie Lavagento coaching at first.
- 1:27:25Larry Jackson looking into Gene Oliver to get his fan. He outfield deep and around toward right.
- 1:27:30Here's the pitch on the way. An off speed delivery taken outside and low. Two balls and one strike.
- 1:27:43Gus Bell, a 12-year veteran. Gus after 12 years of the National League has a lifetime average of 284.
- 1:27:50He's hit an even 200 homers.
- 1:27:59Next pitch to him, a high fly ball into left center field.
- 1:28:03Manny Mendoza moves over. Manny's under it and he makes the catch for the out. There are two away.
- 1:28:10Two down now on the top half of the fifth inning and coming up will be Gil Hontu.
- 1:28:15Gil hit a home run. The ball traveling high up into the left field. He's just his last time up.
- 1:28:21And for Gil it will be 362nd of his career.
- 1:28:28The all-time home run derby.
- 1:28:31Babe Ruth, Jimmy Fox, Ted Williams, Mel Atts, Lou Gehrig, Stan Musial, Duke Snyder, Mickey Mantle,
- 1:28:37Eddie Matthews, Ralph Kanner, and then Gil Hodges.
- 1:28:43Outside and low at ball one.
- 1:28:54Ernie Burley, oh, heating up in the booth end for the Redbirds. The Mets not drilling by just a run
- 1:28:58and they have Thomas representing that tying run on first. There are two men away.
- 1:29:03Larry Jackson makes the one-second stop. Now the pitch.
- 1:29:06Hits foul off the big end of the bat. One ball, one strike on Gil Hodges.
- 1:29:17Tom Summer waiting in the on-drag circle hoping that Gil can save him a turn at bat here on the top of the fifth inning.
- 1:29:29Now Frank Thomas edging away from first.
- 1:29:32Burley Ogotai over in the hole and short against Hodges.
- 1:29:36Foul back into the mesh. No play on the count one and two on Gil.
- 1:29:40Gil just very recently celebrated his 38th birthday.
- 1:29:46Certainly one of the class gentlemen in the history of the game.
- 1:30:00Now Dean Oliver, a crash behind the plate, sets up the target.
- 1:30:04The one-two delivery. Foul tipped.
- 1:30:08Ball cannot be handled by Dean Oliver and Hodges stays in the hole with a count of one ball, two strikes.
- 1:30:19Manager Johnny Keene pulling all the stops as Ernie Burley, oh, getting ready in the bullpen.
- 1:30:31Cardinal five of the Mets four top of the fifth inning.
- 1:30:35Jackson working very deliberately. Now he's up in pitching position.
- 1:30:40A round comes to the right arm, swing and a mercy struck him out.
- 1:30:47Second strike out for Larry Jackson as he gets Gil Hodges.
- 1:30:50One run, one hit, one error and one left on.
- 1:30:54So he's come halfway and at the end of four and a half innings the short out to Cardinal five and the New York Mets four.
- 1:31:01And now here's a turn. Now before Kurt Flood steps in to hitting the last of the fifth, we step out for station identification.
- 1:31:10At the eight-tenth spot on your radio dial, this is WGY Sky today.
- 1:31:22Bob Murphy with Lindsey Nelson and Ralph Keiner.
- 1:31:25It's the last half of inning number five now with center fielder Kurt Flood.
- 1:31:29Cardinal Lidoff, batter facing, blonde right-hander Bob Moorhead.
- 1:31:33Blazing fastball that Nick DeBatt-Hannell just ticked it right into Opie's club, strike one.
- 1:31:38Ball was out of the strike zone, but as Kurt Flood was falling away from the plate at Nick DeBatt-Hannell.
- 1:31:45Billy and Javier is on deck and then Bill White, the top trio in the Redbird batting order, home half of the fifth inning.
- 1:31:52Wind up by Moorhead, down comes his pitch and it's fouled off the fifth back of stairs and out of play.
- 1:31:57Hey, real good grab up here in the Skyview seats by one of the outfielders.
- 1:32:06Bob Moorhead who pitched to Jersey City the last two years, he was a real sleeper in spring training for the New York Mets.
- 1:32:13He pitched himself right onto the ball club.
- 1:32:16And the other pitchers, particularly the veterans, are very high on this hard-throwing young right-hander's chances.
- 1:32:21The two-strike pitch, round ball hit toward short, it may go through the hole, it does for a base fifth.
- 1:32:26Mantilla tried to break and go over in the hole for the backhand play, but it was beyond his reach.
- 1:32:31And Flood is on with his second hit of the game.
- 1:32:37That is the ninth hit of the game for St. Louis.
- 1:32:40And it brings up Hilly and Javier.
- 1:32:42Javier, the speedy second baseman, has two for two going.
- 1:32:46He's singled the left field in the first, later scored, has singled in the third inning, and later scored.
- 1:32:57Now Javier, after reaching the batter's box, turns and goes back to get the rosin bag.
- 1:33:07This is one of those rather chilly nights and a good night to work with a big-handled bat
- 1:33:11because when you're working with those slender bat-handles, it can be a little bit painful.
- 1:33:20Don Zimmer moving in close at third. It's a five-to-four game. The Redbirds lead by one.
- 1:33:25Flood, a fast man, leads it off first. Here's the pitch.
- 1:33:28Ground ball tapped down the first baseline, and it is a fair ball.
- 1:33:32Hodges up and it steps on the bag.
- 1:33:35This is going to bring on an argument.
- 1:33:37Bill White charging up in the on-deck circle challenges Tom Gorman about it.
- 1:33:42Both on-fairs, Tom Gorman and Bill Joukowsky, waiting until the last moment to see when
- 1:33:47Gill handled the ball before making the call.
- 1:33:49Flood goes on over to second base.
- 1:33:52One man away, and the hitter now is Bill White.
- 1:33:54That ball was hit right down the line, not hit very hard.
- 1:33:57Gill came up to play it. He was about two steps short on from first base.
- 1:34:02Going back to make the inassisted play there on Javier.
- 1:34:08Bill White, two-for-two in the game.
- 1:34:10The third flood now in scoring position.
- 1:34:13White has single to right both times up, driven one run in.
- 1:34:20Pitch to him by Moorehead is on-sign, ball one.
- 1:34:27Bob Moorehead pitched winter baseball, and he reported the spring training in top shape.
- 1:34:32Oftentimes a pitcher will not work too many innings in the winter circuits,
- 1:34:36but Moorehead was a busy pitcher down there.
- 1:34:39The outfield deep and around toward right against Bill White, who has good power.
- 1:34:43The kick of the leg, down comes the arm.
- 1:34:45A high infield pop-up out toward second base.
- 1:34:48Mantilla right behind second, takes it for the out.
- 1:34:53Now there are two away on the last half of inning number five, and here comes Stan the Man.
- 1:35:04Stan wasting no time to continue to write his name into the National League record books.
- 1:35:09He doubled in the third inning and later scored on the base hit by Manny Monoso, and when he did,
- 1:35:14it marked 1,859 runs scored by Stan the Man to tie the all-time National League record held by Mel I.
- 1:35:32Musial two for two in the game with two runs batted in. Ball one outside and low.
- 1:35:48We'll give you a complete rundown of the scores of the other games at the end of the inning.
- 1:35:56Now Bob Moorehead, the 24-year-old right-hander from LaMallion, Pennsylvania, gets his sign from Hobie Landry.
- 1:36:01Kirk Flood leading off second two men down, the Pitch to Musial.
- 1:36:06Outside and low, ball two, two and oh.
- 1:36:11They have run into rain down in Houston, and that game is being held up.
- 1:36:21They played three innings before the rains came, so that is not an official ball game as yet.
- 1:36:28Bob Moorehead behind on the count to Stan Musial two and oh.
- 1:36:32Cardinals lead five to four, last half of the fifth inning.
- 1:36:36Ball three, Musial laying off of it and now it's three and oh.
- 1:36:40Kenny Boyer on deck and then Manny Monoso.
- 1:36:50Roger Craig worked the first three innings. Roger gave up five runs, eight hits.
- 1:36:54Bob Moorehead has now hurled one and two-thirds innings, allowing no runs, one hit.
- 1:37:02Now Moorehead with three-oh delivery. Ball four, it's inside Musial once.
- 1:37:09He's first down a breaking ball on three and oh, and now that brings up the right-hander, Ken Boyer.
- 1:37:14Boyer was robbed of a hit on a fine fielding effort by Don Comber in the third inning, so Boyer is 0 for 2 in the game.
- 1:37:23Led the Cardinals attack last year, hitting 329.
- 1:37:33And now young Bob Moorehead will be working hard to get the Cardinals out and keep the Mets close in this game, a trail by one.
- 1:37:43Two home runs in the game, both hit by the Mets by Charlie Neal and by Gil Hodges.
- 1:37:55Bob Moorehead taking his time, now looks back to check the lead runner, Kurt Flood.
- 1:38:01Flood leading off second, Musial off first. Gil Hodges back at fielding depth on the outfield around toward left.
- 1:38:08Here's the pitch by Moorehead, way outside a breaking ball. One ball and no strikes on Ken Boyer.
- 1:38:27Frank Thomas in left field is deep against Boyer, pulled a bit over toward the line.
- 1:38:35Pitch by Moorehead, inside and low, and he gets behind on Boyer, 2 and 0.
- 1:38:43Now Casey Stengel comes up toward the top of the dugout to give things a serious glance.
- 1:39:03Now Bob Moorehead is up in the pitching position. Two runners take a lead, down comes the pitch way outside.
- 1:39:10Hope he had to go off, he's right for that one.
- 1:39:13And suddenly the plane has started to move around on Bob Moorehead and he goes behind 3 and 0 on Boyer.
- 1:39:19He walked Musial on four pitches.
- 1:39:23He has a tough hitter coming up in Minimanoso.
- 1:39:35Pitching 3 and 0. Strength 1 call, 3 and 1.
- 1:39:40Now Kenny Boyer turns his head to check with his manager, Johnny Kean, who runs his ball club off the coaching lines at third.
- 1:39:50Let's keep a close eye on the runners now and see if Johnny Kean puts the play off.
- 1:39:54Flood leading off second, Stan Musial leading off first, two men down.
- 1:39:58Redbirds 5 and the Mets 4 here in the last half of the fifth inning.
- 1:40:03Now Moorehead is in agreement with Hobe Landry. The runners take a lead.
- 1:40:07Here's the pitch on the way. A line drive, it's deep toward right field, it's hit toward the 3, it's bouncing off the 3.
- 1:40:14Flood is coming in to score. Musial will be held up at third by Johnny Kean.
- 1:40:18And it's a double for Kenny Boyer to the opposite field.
- 1:40:39Ken Boyer hitting a 3-1 pitch, a line drive against the screen in right field. Ball was hit over toward the line. Bell had no chance whatsoever.
- 1:40:48Musial goes around to third and now it is 6-4. The Cardinals out in front.
- 1:40:53Runners on second and third, two men down, Minimanoso up.
- 1:40:56And here is a mighty big spot in this ball game for the New York Mets.
- 1:41:06Minimanoso single to right his last time up.
- 1:41:11Moorehead out of his windup, down comes the pitch. Too high is ball one.
- 1:41:16Kenny has one for two, has knocked one run in.
- 1:41:19He's single to right, scoring Musial in the third inning, but when he swept too far around,
- 1:41:24the ball was cut off by Gil Hodges and they got him in the ensuing run down with Don Zimmer coming all the way from third over to first.
- 1:41:31He gets the throw from Charlie Neal and tag Aminoso as he was trying to get back into first.
- 1:41:37Foul to cut back at Barrett and out of play. One ball, one strike on Minimanoso.
- 1:41:52The Cardinals now have six runs on 10 hits, the New York Mets four runs on six base hits. But here is a key spot here.
- 1:42:01Cardinals lead by two and they'd like to lead by four. They have two in scoring position.
- 1:42:05Moorehead cranks up, down comes the pitch. Inside, taken across the runners by Minimanoso, two balls and a strike.
- 1:42:14Now Hobey will go out and have a talk with Bob Moorehead.
- 1:42:28Minimanoso, a real baseball warrior, right hand batter hitting out of that crotch.
- 1:42:33He hangs out over the inside corner of that plate.
- 1:42:37Bob Moorehead winds, down comes the pitch. Strike, a good fastball on the outside edge.
- 1:42:44And now the count is even at two and two on Minimanoso.
- 1:42:55Stan Musial leading off third, Ken Boyer off second.
- 1:42:59Two men down as Moorehead checks in with Hobey Landry. The infield and the outfield straight away.
- 1:43:05Pitching two and two. Ball three, it's up high and the spring is now three and two.
- 1:43:14Gene Oliver is waiting on deck.
- 1:43:29Full count three and two on Minimanoso. The wind up by Moorehead, here's the pitch. He's stuck in out swinging.
- 1:43:37Beauty of a breaking ball thrown by Bob Moorehead and in a real clutch spot, he fans a tough hitter in Minimanoso.
- 1:43:44For the Cardinals in their half of the fifth inning, they score one run on two hits. No errors and two were left on.
- 1:43:51At the end of five, the score in St. Louis is the Redbirds' six and the New York Mets four on Taylor, the losing pitcher.
- 1:44:00Dan Zimmer leading off, taps a slow grinder down to third. Boyer up with it. The long throw to White is in time and Zimmer's out.
- 1:44:10One away on the top of the sixth inning and that brings up Hobey Landry.
- 1:44:15Rounding out the American League schedule, Detroit and Washington reigned out in the nation's capital.
- 1:44:21After five and a half innings, Camilo Pasquale has Kansas City shut out with the Minnesota Twins leading the A's three to nothing.
- 1:44:32Hobey 0 for 2 in the game, has flied to center and flied to left. His last time up he had a hard line drive into the seats but it was fouled by about 15 yards.
- 1:44:46Strike one call, Larry Jackson wheeling it right in there.
- 1:44:58Went out nobody on top of the sixth inning, Mets drilling by two.
- 1:45:02Right hander Larry Jackson, winds and pitches and it's popped up off the fifth back toward the backstop.
- 1:45:07Hoping for a play is Gene Oliver but it's going to be out of his reach.
- 1:45:16Gene Oliver giving that one a chase all the way to the backstop but it was out of his reach.
- 1:45:21Now Casey Stengel has sent the sign to the bullpen and Herb Mofford will start loosening up.
- 1:45:31Herb Mofford who last year was a 15 game winner with the Rochester Red Wings and the International League is cranking up in the mid-bullpen under the supervision of Red Ruffing.
- 1:45:48Bob Moorhead is scheduled up next.
- 1:45:51A ground ball passed the bat going to his right, Javier, he's up with it, throws the white in time and there are two down.
- 1:45:58Moorhead almost up the middle but Javier was playing, hoping to hit the ball up the middle so he went gliding to his right to handle the grounder and throw him out.
- 1:46:07Now there are two away, nobody on, Bob Moorhead is scheduled up and Moorhead will come up the bat.
- 1:46:28Bob Moorhead stepping in for his first time at bat.
- 1:46:33Bob now has pitched two innings, allowed one run, given up two hits.
- 1:46:37Pitched by Larry Jackson, he's outside and low, ball one.
- 1:46:43Well the Mets will not be in St. Louis again for almost three months.
- 1:46:48The next time they play here, very late July about the 27th, call strike on the outside corner.
- 1:46:56Of course with the expansion in the National League you now visit the other cities only three times.
- 1:47:02And it becomes increasingly important to try and get the games in in the threatening weather.
- 1:47:08The 1-1 pitch and he pops the ball up out towards second base.
- 1:47:12Who's going to get it?
- 1:47:13Coming in is Goatie and Javier and Javier makes the catch on the edge of the infield grass in front of second.
- 1:47:20Larry Jackson puts together his strongest inning of the entire ball game as he gets the tail end of the batting order in order.
- 1:47:26No runs, no hits, no errors, then left on.
- 1:47:29At the end of five and a half innings to score, the St. Louis Cardinals 6 and the New York Mets 4.
- 1:47:41Last half of the sixth inning, the Redbirds will have the tail end of their batting order coming up against Bob Moorhead
- 1:47:46with Gene Oliver, Julio Goatie, and Larry Jackson.
- 1:47:53Right after the game the Mets fly back to New York and they're all certainly looking forward to the big welcome in New York.
- 1:48:00Parade down lower Broadway and the reception at City Hall.
- 1:48:05Festivities highlighting about noon.
- 1:48:09Gene Oliver 0 for 2 in the game, right hand hitter.
- 1:48:12Line drive, hits deep down the left field line running for it is Frank Thomas.
- 1:48:15He won't be able to get it.
- 1:48:16It's in for a base and he grabs it on a hop.
- 1:48:18The throw coming in, relay towards second, not in time. A double for Gene Oliver.
- 1:48:28Cardinals wearing their hitting shoes in this game tonight.
- 1:48:32Gene Oliver getting his first hit, a double down the left field line.
- 1:48:41That brings up the shortstop, Julio Goatie.
- 1:48:43He's 0 for 2 in the game. Thrown out by Don Zimmer and thrown out by Charlie Neal.
- 1:48:50That is the third hit given up in relief by Bob Moorhead.
- 1:48:59Last half of the sixth. Cardinals 6, Mets 4.
- 1:49:11Out of stretch by Moorhead, they look for the button.
- 1:49:14A full swing and a foul ball, wafted back upstairs and out of play.
- 1:49:19Gil Hodges and Don Zimmer both anticipating a possible sacrifice button.
- 1:49:25Larry Jackson on deck. Jackson has been up twice and both times hit fly balls, one extremely deep.
- 1:49:32He made a strong bid for a home run back in the second. Thomas caught the ball up against the barrier.
- 1:49:40Now Bob Moorhead makes the one second stop, kicks the leg, delivers.
- 1:49:44Ground ball hits the second base. Neal has it to Charlie's leg.
- 1:49:48Around third and holding up with Gene Oliver as Charlie Neal cocks that arm to make a throw.
- 1:49:53Johnny Keene, coaching on the lines of third, held him up.
- 1:49:56It'll be an error charge to Charlie Neal.
- 1:50:00Charlie just about had that one in his glove and it slithered off, went through his legs and rolled into short right field.
- 1:50:07They showed a lot of respect for Charlie Neal's arm on that one, remembering the great throw he made earlier in the ballgame.
- 1:50:14The nail, Bill White at home plate.
- 1:50:18And so now the situation becomes serious for the New York Mets.
- 1:50:21Runners on first and third, nobody out.
- 1:50:27The infield getting together with Bob Moorhead to go over the possibilities.
- 1:50:33Luleo Gotay reaching safely on the air.
- 1:50:39Oliver had broken from second across toward third and Charlie was perhaps stinking her glass to see if he had any possibility for a play on him.
- 1:50:48Now the Mets defensively will have to be alive for anything as Jackson steps in.
- 1:50:52Runners on first and third, nobody out.
- 1:50:55Zimmer even with the bag at third. Here's the stretch.
- 1:50:57And the pitch on the way, full swing and a missed strike one.
- 1:51:05Jackson over two, flying to deep left field, flying to center.
- 1:51:10Right hand hitter.
- 1:51:12Charlie Neal and Felix Mantilla set up a double play-dip.
- 1:51:15Hodges holds against the runner.
- 1:51:17Gotay and Zim is even with the bag, wide of the line at third.
- 1:51:23The outfielders playing toward the alleys.
- 1:51:26Here's the pitch on the way.
- 1:51:28Foul, back upstairs and out of play.
- 1:51:31That time both Gil Hodges and Don Zimmer felt that the squeeze play might be on and they broke for home.
- 1:51:46Now Moorhead working with a two-strike count on Larry Jackson.
- 1:51:50Center fielder, Kurt Flood on Decker and Julian Javier.
- 1:51:56Crowd reaction in the background, that foul ball lodged itself just beyond the reach of one of the fans.
- 1:52:00He was really trying to make his arm stretch out to get it.
- 1:52:04Moorhead ready, delivers, and it's a fly ball.
- 1:52:07It's a short center field. It may go in for a base hit.
- 1:52:09Here comes Baggford.
- 1:52:10What a spin for a Texas League hit.
- 1:52:12The play of Blanger Fox to third, not in time.
- 1:52:15And on to second on the throw goes Larry Jackson.
- 1:52:23Ashburn tried for go-tie and went from first to third.
- 1:52:27On the attempt to get go-tie at third, Jackson takes second on the throw to third.
- 1:52:32And now the Cardinals have a three-run lead, seven to four.
- 1:52:35Runners on second and third, nobody out.
- 1:52:37Give Larry Jackson a base hit, a Texas Ligger into shallow right center field.
- 1:52:42And now the sign goes down for Herb Mofer to start warming up again.
- 1:52:50So Larry Jackson gets a run batted in.
- 1:52:55And the hitter is Kirk Flood.
- 1:52:59Flood has two for three in the game, both singles in the third and again in the fifth.
- 1:53:03Has scored twice.
- 1:53:04And now the Mets are bringing the infield up tight.
- 1:53:06The runners on second and third, nobody out.
- 1:53:12Go-tie on third, Jackson leading off second.
- 1:53:17Bob Moorhead into his lineup.
- 1:53:19Now the pitch.
- 1:53:20And it's fouled.
- 1:53:21Off to the right it will be out of play.
- 1:53:23Every player in the Cardinal batting order has hit safely with the exception of Julio Goatay.
- 1:53:46Moorhead winding the pitch on the way, just a little bit low.
- 1:53:50One ball, one strike.
- 1:53:56Kirk Flood, who hit.322 last year, facing Bob Moorhead with the infield drawn in tight.
- 1:54:04A defensive move that always places the hitter at an advantage for something you have to do in this spot.
- 1:54:10Pitching one and one.
- 1:54:12And the ball is hit high in the air to right side field and it's deep.
- 1:54:15Back to Gus Bell.
- 1:54:16He's getting there.
- 1:54:17Gus takes the catch and deep right center.
- 1:54:19Goatay tags and comes in to score.
- 1:54:21And Jackson goes from second over to third after the grab.
- 1:54:28That was a long one to right center field, run down by Gus Bell.
- 1:54:32Goatay coming in.
- 1:54:34Give Kirk Flood a run batted in.
- 1:54:41Six of the Cardinals now have knocked a run in.
- 1:54:45Two runs are in here in the last half of the sixth inning and the Cardinals now have a four-run lead.
- 1:54:50They are out in front eight to four.
- 1:54:53Only one away, Jackson on third so the infield remains in close as Julio and Javier steps in to hit.
- 1:54:59Javier of the second baseman, right-hand batter, has two for three in the game.
- 1:55:03Has scored twice.
- 1:55:08Moorhead winds and pitches.
- 1:55:10And there's strike one called.
- 1:55:18Baylor with eight and that's four last half of the sixth inning.
- 1:55:29Now Bob Moorhead as he's signed from Hobie Landriff.
- 1:55:33The wind up and pitch, a pitch out, nothing was on.
- 1:55:36Hobie Landriff thought he'd sent something going in the form of a squeeze and he had Moorhead pitch out.
- 1:55:41One ball and one strike.
- 1:55:48Now Javier is out of the batter's box, getting together on the signs with his manager, Johnny Keene, who's on the lines at third.
- 1:55:56Larry Jackson, the runner on third, one down.
- 1:56:04Moorhead with the full wind up, down comes the pitch.
- 1:56:06Again they pitch out and it was the base running perhaps of Larry Jackson that caused the message to feel that the squeeze might be on.
- 1:56:14He came breaking down that line and slammed on the brakes.
- 1:56:18Two balls and a strike now on Javier.
- 1:56:32Enfield in, two balls and a strike on Javier.
- 1:56:36Javier deep in the box, spins from the waist.
- 1:56:38Foul ball coming back toward our broadcast booth and out of play.
- 1:56:44They got us two and two.
- 1:57:13Now Javier asks for time and gets out of the batter's box.
- 1:57:23That's trying to pin Jackson on third as Moorhead cranks up.
- 1:57:26The 2-2 pitch, a drive here hard and the left field for a base hit.
- 1:57:30That brings Jackson into score and Javier is out his third into the game.
- 1:57:34And now it's 9-4 in favor of the Redbirds.
- 1:57:37And before Bill White comes up to hit, let's pause for station identification.
- 1:57:42At the 8-10 spot on your radio dial, this is WG Wise Connect today.
- 1:58:00Bob Murphy with Lindsay Nelson and Ralph Kiner from St. Louis where the Red Hot Redbirds have widened their lead now to 9-4.
- 1:58:09It's been a real team effort for the Cardinals. Seven of their nine players now have knocked in a run.
- 1:58:15Musial and Boyer each have driven in two.
- 1:58:20Three runs are in here in the last half of the sixth inning. It's now 9-4 and the hitter is Bill White.
- 1:58:25White has two for three in the game and he's driven home a run.
- 1:58:31Strong left-hand hitter waiting.
- 1:58:33There goes the runner swinging about the pick by Hobie. The fly, the ball hits him in the back.
- 1:58:39Javier is out his way to third.
- 1:58:42Javier goes on to third with a low throw, stuck him in the back and Jaron down in the left field.
- 1:58:47So it'll be a stolen base for Javier and an error charge to Hobie Landry.
- 1:58:59Stolen base by Javier. An error charge to Hobie on the low throw that hits the runner and went out in the left field
- 1:59:06enabling him to scramble to his feet and go on to third.
- 1:59:28Run away, a runner on third. The batter is Bill White.
- 1:59:31Morehead winds and pitches.
- 1:59:33A high fly hit down the left field line. It's twisting toward foul ground.
- 1:59:37Ampard is done her and it's beyond the reach of Dab and it lands in foul ground and out of play.
- 1:59:46Down the left field line, Don Landrum, very fine defensive outfielder.
- 1:59:49It is warming up his arm so we may see him in action defensively.
- 1:59:54The Cardinals breaking through for three runs here in the sixth inning.
- 1:59:58They have a runner on third with one down and they now lead nine to four.
- 2:00:10Dan Musial on deck and then Ken Boyer.
- 2:00:14Let's have the left side of the infield up and the right side of the infield back against Bill White.
- 2:00:20Inside and high. One ball, two strikes.
- 2:00:28Bob Morehead got off impressively when he came into the game.
- 2:00:31He got them out of order in the fourth inning.
- 2:00:33Gave up one run in the fifth inning and has given up three here in the sixth.
- 2:00:39Now the one-two pitch. Two high and it's two and two on Bill White.
- 2:00:47In the opener at the Polo Grounds on Friday, either Al Jackson or Sherman Road Black Jones
- 2:00:51will be pitching for the New York Mets against Pittsburgh.
- 2:00:54The Pirates were rained out of their game today with the Phillies.
- 2:00:58They won yesterday on a shutout by Bob Brent.
- 2:01:02A high fly ball hit down the right field line.
- 2:01:05Jeff Bell moving toward the line is getting under it.
- 2:01:07Javier Tags up. To catch his face, here comes Javier. Here comes the throw.
- 2:01:25Sacrified fly for Bill White.
- 2:01:30That gives White his second RBA. It's a four-run inning now for the Redbirds.
- 2:01:34And they lead the New York Mets by a score of 10-4 in the last of the sixth inning.
- 2:01:39Now Stan Musial is the seventh man up of the inning.
- 2:01:42Stan comes up with two down and the base is clear.
- 2:01:46Stan has a perfect night going with two for two and a walk.
- 2:01:50Right in there on a breaking ball. Strike one call.
- 2:01:58Musial has single to left, driving in a run.
- 2:02:01Double to right, driving in a run and drawn a one.
- 2:02:06Inside, driving him back from the plate. One ball, one strike.
- 2:02:19They have not resumed as yet in the ball game down at Houston.
- 2:02:24Houston led two to nothing at the end of three when it started to rain.
- 2:02:27More heads pitch to Musial. A line drive hit hard toward the right field corner.
- 2:02:31Bell is after it. Can't make the catch. It breaks off his glove after he dives for it.
- 2:02:35Musial has only played a second to throw. The slide.
- 2:02:38Out of second base.
- 2:02:39Gus Bell to Felix Mandilla.
- 2:02:41Gus throwing to the deep right field corner and Musial is out.
- 2:02:47A great throw by Gus Bell from the right field corner and Musial is out trying for a double.
- 2:02:52The fake coming in to Felix Mandilla.
- 2:02:55Throw in the sixth inning. The Cardinals score four runs.
- 2:03:00Four hits. Two errors. And nobody left on.
- 2:03:06At the end of the sixth, the score now, the Cardinals nine and the Mets four.
- 2:03:11So we'll be going along to the seventh inning and stepping in now to carry us along to the seventh inning.
- 2:03:15And the remainder of the way, it's always a real pleasure to introduce Lindsey Nelson.
- 2:03:21Thank you very much Bob Murphy. The Cardinals that time hopping on young ball foreheads for a big inning.
- 2:03:27Getting four here to stretch their lead on opening night in St. Louis.
- 2:03:31And New York Mets will be coming out here in the top half of the seventh inning with Richie Ashbrim, Felix Mandilla, and Charlie Neal coming up.
- 2:03:38In case you've joined us along the way, Larry Jackson started for the St. Louis Cardinals and he has come all the way.
- 2:03:50Only one of those four runs was earned in that inning as the Mets committed two errors.
- 2:04:09And Don Landrum has gone into right field now in place of Stan Musial.
- 2:04:13Don Landrum relieving Stan the man. Forty-one year old Stan Musial being relieved by Don Landrum as we go to seventh inning.
- 2:04:26So in case you're keeping a scorecard, insert Landrum in the cleanup slot in place of Musial in your Cardinal batting order.
- 2:04:36And now Richie Ashbrim is up to lead off for the New York Mets.
- 2:04:42Here's the pitch. He tries to bun it and fouls it off for strike one.
- 2:04:46Richie Ashbrim trying to get out anyway, trying to use his speed, trying to dump the ball down to third baseline.
- 2:04:52That brought Ken Boyer and Addy Gallup from his position at third.
- 2:04:55However, it went foul and Richie Ashbrim comes back.
- 2:04:59Ashbrim is one for three. He flied to center, single a left and got it out to first base.
- 2:05:03He's scored one run this evening also.
- 2:05:07Again, Larry Jackson into the windup. Pitch goes outside for ball. It's one and one now.
- 2:05:12Landrum in right field. Don Landrum in right field.
- 2:05:20Larry Jackson looking to get the sign from rookie catcher Gene Oliver.
- 2:05:24Here's the one-one pitch and it's in there for a call of strike two.
- 2:05:33Bob Gibson and Ernie Brolio throwing in the bullpen now for the St. Louis Cardinals.
- 2:05:39Bob Gibson and Ernie Brolio are both right-handers.
- 2:05:44Ashbrim has fouled out.
- 2:05:56Gene Oliver, the rookie catcher, came back about as far as he could go,
- 2:05:59hitting into the barrier on one end of the ball.
- 2:06:03So there's one away on Felix Mantia. Right-hand batter's coming up.
- 2:06:06He has been up twice officially without a hit. He drew one walk here and scored one run.
- 2:06:16One man out, nobody on. That's Jackson. Wines and fires.
- 2:06:19That's a drive down the left field on a base hit. Could be for extra bases.
- 2:06:22Mantia turns first, hits for second.
- 2:06:25The ball relays at any stroke. There's the third base going in.
- 2:06:29Standing in second is Mantia with a double down the left field line.
- 2:06:33That is the first hit of this season of 1962 for shortstop Felix Mantia on behalf of the New York Mets.
- 2:06:40They have a runner at second. One man out and Charlie Neal coming up.
- 2:06:44Neal flat to right, single to drive in a run and hit a home run.
- 2:06:47Two for three. Has driven in two runs. Had one sparkling play in the field.
- 2:06:53Charlie Neal to right-hand batter.
- 2:07:05Hitch goes outside for a ball.
- 2:07:11One ball and no strikes to count to Neal.
- 2:07:15Mantia leads off the bag at second.
- 2:07:20They play Neal pretty much straight away as far as the outfield is concerned.
- 2:07:25Here's a drive going straight away into center field, hopping in for a base hit.
- 2:07:29Great foot up for the ball. Holding it third is Felix Mantia.
- 2:07:32The throw is cut off up the mound by first baseman Phil White.
- 2:07:35The cutoff man coming across to take blood's throw.
- 2:07:38And Mantia held it third by cutting it off, of course.
- 2:07:41It prevented Charlie Neal from bashing on the throw.
- 2:07:44So Neal has his third base hit of the night, a single to center.
- 2:07:47Mantia has moved to third. The Mets have runners at first and third one man out.
- 2:07:51Mike Thomas is coming up.
- 2:07:58The score is ten to four. The Cardinals leading here in the top half of the seventh inning.
- 2:08:01In St. Louis, Missouri, opening night.
- 2:08:06Mantia leads at third.
- 2:08:09Charlie Neal's still on the bag at first, waiting until Larry Jackson has the time.
- 2:08:13Now Neal takes his lead. The stretch position at the mound and the pitch.
- 2:08:18Brown ball going to Jackson. He plays the second for one.
- 2:08:21The relay to three. Double play.
- 2:08:23The tie to three players.
- 2:08:26Mike Thomas in double play.
- 2:08:29It goes one to four to three if you're scoring it.
- 2:08:32Julianne Javier was playing over behind the bag on goal hit of Mike Thomas.
- 2:08:36Took the relay and right on across for the double play.
- 2:08:40So in the top half of the seventh inning, the New York Mets get no runs on two hits, no errors, and one man left.
- 2:08:47So at the end of sixth and one half innings of play, the score is St. Louis Cardinals 10-4.
- 2:08:53Well, it's the seventh inning stretch again. A lot of the folks here are getting up and stretch.
- 2:08:57I wonder what the fans back in New York are doing, Ralph.
- 2:08:59Well, that's easy, Lindsey. Out there a good many of them are stretching out for glasses of Reingold Extra Drive.
- 2:09:04Ah, sure enough. And comes the seventh inning or any inning, more fans stretch out for Reingold than for any other beer.
- 2:09:11Oh, that's sure enough. And Reingold, you know, is New York's favorite beer.
- 2:09:15Yes, sir. It's very easy to see why. In fact, dry tells you why.
- 2:09:19Yes, extra dry tells you why Reingold is beer as beerers should say.
- 2:09:24Crisp and bright, clean, clear through. Reingold is rude of the choice.
- 2:09:28It's ingredient, rude to long, slow, costly away.
- 2:09:32That's what makes Reingold Extra Drive such a wonderful beer.
- 2:09:35Wonderful because it's so much more refreshing. More refreshing because it's extra dry. Right, Ralph?
- 2:09:41Right, Lindsey? So folks, why not enjoy a fine cold glass of Reingold along with our time enduring?
- 2:09:47Join the millions who say, my beer is Reingold, the dry beer.
- 2:09:53Now the New York Huts have got Herb Moffitt on in relief for Bob Moyad.
- 2:10:02Herb Moffitt, a right-hander and veteran Major League performer, is in now.
- 2:10:08On the mound, firing in the warm-up tosses to Hobie Langdon.
- 2:10:12So Bob Moyad went a total of three innings in which he gave a five run.
- 2:10:22On six hits, he struck out one and he walked one.
- 2:10:31Now Herb Moffitt is in.
- 2:10:37And we'll be facing Ken Boyer, the third baseman.
- 2:10:40Boyer, grounded on third to first, grounded on third to first,
- 2:10:43and here's that double to right field driving a run in the fifth inning. That's big flow.
- 2:10:56Hobbit's first pitch is on the way and it's in there for a cost strike.
- 2:10:59Hobbit's at side armor and left the wheel out there and pitch out of the uniform.
- 2:11:10And we're facing big Ken Boyer.
- 2:11:15There's a wind-up and a pitch.
- 2:11:18Directly at Neal and he's out. Charlie Neal taking the line drive off the bat of Ken Boyer.
- 2:11:23And it's one away and that will bring up Mini Minoso.
- 2:11:26Herb Moffitt.
- 2:11:31Herb Moffitt initially came to the Major League with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1955.
- 2:11:39Later he was with the Detroit Tigers in 1958.
- 2:11:44Here's Big Minoso joining the strike line.
- 2:11:47And Moffitt was with the Boston Red Sox in 1959.
- 2:11:50Last year he was with Rochester where he won 15 games for our 13.
- 2:11:54Herb Moffitt, not pitching.
- 2:12:02Here's Big Minoso on a high-mounted ground ball to the shortstop.
- 2:12:06He throws to Hodgson time and he's out.
- 2:12:09Minoso hitting a pounding ball into the hole but shortstop Mancia went to his right, came up with it,
- 2:12:15fired on to get a little Hodgson time to the outside.
- 2:12:18So they're two men away and that brings up Gene Oliver.
- 2:12:20Ricky Ketchum made a side catch and a fly off ball all back against the barrier a moment ago.
- 2:12:25And he gets the hand as he comes up.
- 2:12:27He's struck out.
- 2:12:30And short and double and scored one run.
- 2:12:37Moffitt is looking in to get the sign from Ketchum Holylander.
- 2:12:43That time's away outside football.
- 2:12:55Moffitt is 31 years old.
- 2:13:02Wines and fires, side-armed again and a general strike.
- 2:13:05It's 1-1.
- 2:13:10We're in the bottom half of the seventh inning here in St. Louis.
- 2:13:15Opening night of the 1962 season.
- 2:13:17Ten teams in the National League.
- 2:13:20Here's a 1-1 pitch.
- 2:13:21He checks it and takes it outside for ball two. It's 2-1.
- 2:13:28And he's early on. Bob Gibson still throwing in the bullpen.
- 2:13:31Four of the St. Louis Cardinals as they lead by a score of 10-4 over the New York Mets here.
- 2:13:39That pitch goes outside for the ball. It's 3-1.
- 2:13:43And the preseason polls, there were a great many experts who picked the St. Louis Cardinals to win the National League.
- 2:13:48And in the consensus of all the polls, the Cubs will pick as a very definite contender for the National League Cardinals.
- 2:13:583-1 pitch and has the ball going deep to left.
- 2:14:01Penetree going, going, actually.
- 2:14:03Got away from Lander at the moment and he ran it down to Snow and Mad.
- 2:14:07Louis will get down and know which way to go.
- 2:14:09So he's set in and actually the pitch came in behind him as Holylander managed to knock it down.
- 2:14:16It's 4-1. The official play-to-tendent here tonight, 16,147.
- 2:14:2116,147 on opening night in St. Louis, Missouri.
- 2:14:37I believe it's true that it's now off on a play.
- 2:14:40One ball and one strike.
- 2:14:47Here tonight, Madison Casey Stengel has gone with the pitching that showed up best during the training season in Florida.
- 2:14:54Roger Craig with his most understandable starter there and Bob Morhead and Herb Crawford with his most impressive release pitchers during the month or six weeks of training.
- 2:15:08Yes, it's drive-out into the glove of Gil Hitches.
- 2:15:11It's first to deep down.
- 2:15:12Zulio Dutai lining up to Hitches.
- 2:15:14It's free and so the St. Louis Cardinals are out in the bottom half of the seventh inning with no runs on one.
- 2:15:19Here's Snow and Mad left.
- 2:15:21And at the end of seven-four running to play in St. Louis, Missouri.
- 2:15:24The score is the St. Louis Cardinals 10-1, the New York Mets 4.
- 2:15:29As we go to the top half of the eighth inning, the New York Mets send up Gus Bell as Larry Jackson winds and fires.
- 2:15:38The pitch goes half of all one.
- 2:15:40So it's been up three times in the second inning.
- 2:15:42He's single to right, to right center actually.
- 2:15:45They become the first Mets to get a base hit in national league competition.
- 2:15:49And the 30 fly to right, we fly to left and the 50.
- 2:15:52One to three.
- 2:15:53That's your down low football.
- 2:15:55Two and on the count now to Gus Bell.
- 2:15:58It's all a curse.
- 2:16:06Big left hand hitter.
- 2:16:09Watch his inside.
- 2:16:11Now if he takes his single, that's not enough to get 30.
- 2:16:14But here's the opener in New York on Friday.
- 2:16:16He says it will be Sherman Jones possibly if his eye has recovered sufficiently.
- 2:16:23In Portsmouth, Virginia on Sunday he sent a burning eye.
- 2:16:28He did get in it but it's all right.
- 2:16:34The end of a match landed in his eye and he's been in class for a couple of days.
- 2:16:40But was working out tonight before there was a ball game and said he was about 95% recovered.
- 2:16:45So it may very well be Sherman Jones, it's not Al Jackson.
- 2:16:49It's a ball four and Gus Bell goes down to first base.
- 2:16:56So the New York Mets have a base runner.
- 2:16:58That is the second walk given up this evening by Larry Jackson.
- 2:17:01He's coming to the plate, Gil Hacke.
- 2:17:03He'll hit a home run.
- 2:17:05The first New York Mets to hit a home run.
- 2:17:09Later in the next inning, Charlene Hill became the second Mets to home run.
- 2:17:13That was a 360 second career home run.
- 2:17:16Gil Hacke has moved him ahead of Joe DiMaggio in the career home run total.
- 2:17:21Only two right hand headers.
- 2:17:23History Major League Baseball has hit more home runs than Gil Hacke.
- 2:17:27One of them Jimmy Fox, the other Ralph Kiner.
- 2:17:30That bitch is outside football.
- 2:17:33Ralph Kiner is not likely to be improving on his total since he is with us in the broadcasting booth.
- 2:17:38And will be here all season long to bring you the games of the New York Mets.
- 2:17:49Gus Bell leads it first.
- 2:17:50Larry Jackson checks in.
- 2:17:51Here's the pitch.
- 2:17:53It's a called strike taken by Gil Hacke.
- 2:17:55He looks down to Charlie Hammett, the coach is serious now.
- 2:17:58Tuckie Lavagetto is coaching this first.
- 2:18:02Tuckie's name of course is pronounced variously around the Major League by ballplayers.
- 2:18:06We call him Lavagetto, Lavagetta, all sorts of things.
- 2:18:08So we went to him at Miller Huggins Field.
- 2:18:10The first day of spring training and said, how do you pronounce your name?
- 2:18:13He said Lavagetto.
- 2:18:14Now here is the swing and a foul ball on the first base.
- 2:18:17Leibnill White's giving it a run and it's going into the stands and not a play.
- 2:18:21One ball and two strikes to count.
- 2:18:23If Gil Hacke is at the plate.
- 2:18:24Gil was 38 years old about a week ago.
- 2:18:30He's in his 15th season with the Brooklyn and Lafayette Dodgers.
- 2:18:36This is his first game in National League competition in any uniform other than that of the Dodgers.
- 2:18:52Here's the ground ball.
- 2:18:53It's going foul.
- 2:18:54Charlie Hammett fielded the ball at.
- 2:18:56The third, the guard holds it one ball and two strikes to Gil Hacke.
- 2:19:00That's the play for the New York Mets with Gustav LeBae's on the first.
- 2:19:05And nobody out.
- 2:19:15Larry Jackson is starting pitching for the Cardinals.
- 2:19:17It's still in there.
- 2:19:18There's the one-two pitching.
- 2:19:19There's the ground ball going to shortstop.
- 2:19:21Go down.
- 2:19:22He's out to Leilani first.
- 2:19:24Double play.
- 2:19:27Gil Hacke is hitting a double play.
- 2:19:28He's going to strike the second to play.
- 2:19:29Julio Gostarva, Julio Anjali and the middle white.
- 2:19:34And will bring up God's center.
- 2:19:40Well, Zane Lewis-Circle got out of the seventh inning with a double play.
- 2:19:43And now the Elites get still on a double play.
- 2:19:48A second double play of the night.
- 2:19:52And there's the second base combination that caused some concern at the start of the season.
- 2:19:56It's just in there for Carl Zeich.
- 2:19:58The Cardinals hold up a lot second base.
- 2:20:01If shortstop Julio Gostarva holds up.
- 2:20:03And if Gene Oliver can have a job defensively behind the plate.
- 2:20:09Leilani Lewis-Circle is very definite who will be in the running.
- 2:20:14He's swinging a foul ball after that.
- 2:20:15God's center and it's strike two there.
- 2:20:18Wilmer is single in the second inning.
- 2:20:21He's got a second to first and a fourth shot.
- 2:20:22And that's George DePurce in the sixth inning.
- 2:20:30Top half of the eighth.
- 2:20:32He's going to get out.
- 2:20:36Here's the swing and the drive going to left.
- 2:20:37And no-one's coming in.
- 2:20:38He's there and he takes it.
- 2:20:39He's got a wide drive.
- 2:20:40So a no-one's going left.
- 2:20:42And the New York Mets are at the top half of the eighth inning with no runs on, no hits, no errors.
- 2:20:46And nobody left.
- 2:20:47And at the end of the seventh and one-half inning to play.
- 2:20:49The score is the St. Louis Cardinals 10 and the New York Mets four.
- 2:20:54Here at St. Louis we'll be going to the bottom half of the eighth inning.
- 2:20:57And the St. Louis Cardinals will be setting up picture Larry Jackson,
- 2:21:00Green Blood and Julian Harvey here.
- 2:21:02Before we get up to last, let's allow our stations to identify themselves.
- 2:21:05We pause now for station identification.
- 2:21:09At the eighth-down spot on your radio dial, this is WGY.
- 2:21:12Let's go back today.
- 2:21:20This is Lindsay Nelson with Ralph Kahneman and Bob Murphy in St. Louis, Missouri.
- 2:21:24As the New York Mets are meeting the St. Louis Cardinals in an opening night game
- 2:21:28with the Mets representing the city of New York back in the National League once again.
- 2:21:34And to lead off the St. Louis Cardinals are going to stand up their starting pitch.
- 2:21:37The Jews under all the way, Larry Jackson.
- 2:21:42And now Slim Levine is coming to pitch for the New York Mets.
- 2:21:47Slim Levine, right-hander, Major League veteran, is in to pitch for the New York Mets.
- 2:21:56Facing opposing pitcher Larry Jackson.
- 2:22:01It goes outside for a ball.
- 2:22:09Levine, of course, has had a great many good years with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers.
- 2:22:16It's a nice ball, too.
- 2:22:19And he went to Detroit and in the 2020 season of 1960,
- 2:22:23he was a big, big palace, but Levine, he was a very valuable asset to them.
- 2:22:32He was with the Palace again last year.
- 2:22:35That pitch goes outside. It is 3-0 now to Larry Jackson.
- 2:22:42Byron has a thinker and a true ball.
- 2:22:45It's most effective when he gets it down low.
- 2:22:49He takes it most of the time. It's a called strike one. It's 3-1.
- 2:23:00Three balls in one strike with nobody out and nobody on.
- 2:23:03Levine lands and fires and it's a called strike two. 3-2 now.
- 2:23:173-2 pitch and it's a fly ball going out to left center.
- 2:23:20Ashbren is coming on. He is called. He's under. He's waiting.
- 2:23:22And Ashbren has it for the out.
- 2:23:25Larry Jackson has flied to center.
- 2:23:28Moffert pitched only one inning in relief for the New York Mets.
- 2:23:31Gave up no runs on one here to double the team out of it.
- 2:23:40Now leadoff man Kurt Sveta is at the plate.
- 2:23:44He's 2-3 in the sacrifice fly. 7-1 run.
- 2:23:50Right hand feature. It's a called strike one.
- 2:23:56The thing for which Graham Levine is most often remembered is the 10-0 shutout he pitched against the New York Giants
- 2:24:02in the playoff at the end of the 1951 season between the Dodgers and the Giants.
- 2:24:08He's inside for a ball to flood. And the 10-0 shutout that Levine threw set up the third game in which Bobby Thompson
- 2:24:16hit his famed home run at the polo guard to win the tournament in 1951 for Leo DeRosier's New York Giants.
- 2:24:26Curve ball inside. It's 2-1.
- 2:24:41Two for three on the sacrifice fly. One run better down up there.
- 2:24:58One run out and nobody on base for the St. Louis Cardinals.
- 2:25:02Then Levine is a putt. New York net pitcher of the evening.
- 2:25:12Now full count to Kurt Sveta.
- 2:25:21As J'Kasey Stengel said, he wanted to keep Levine and come on him to give him one good inning in relief.
- 2:25:33And Levine tried to flag it. It's an error on Felix Manfear. An error choice against Felix Manfear that bounded off his chest. Levine almost flagged it.
- 2:25:55Shemin Jones and Al Jackson loosening up in the bullpen.
- 2:26:05More of a New York net.
- 2:26:12It's a foul ball.
- 2:26:36It's a foul ball.
- 2:26:46Now it's Johnny Kane of the St. Louis Cardinals and now J'Kasey Stengel of the New York Mets have been loosening up pitchers here this evening. Working them for future appearances.
- 2:27:07They're definitely loosening up, getting a little work out with a thought for the future. Now actually, Johnny Kane is going to go a little further with his runner.
- 2:27:17He's letting the pitchers down low and solid base.
- 2:27:23More trick play.
- 2:27:29Actually, Hovlander never did get the throw out. And it's blurred. A speech there with a way in winging and Landers in his haste trying to throw it off his head.
- 2:27:37He's going as a stolen base.
- 2:27:42Leading a second night trick play. Dancing around out there a little. There's a crew ball coming in low and taken for a ball by Julian Javier. It's two and one.
- 2:27:50Kurt Simmons in his Florida. Now throwing in the bullpen for the St. Louis Cardinals. Kurt Simmons, counting on him as it started to work.
- 2:28:03And there's Benico Benizel here before last. Working on the bullpen. Two balls, one strike. Counting on Julian Javier with Kurt Flirt leading off the bag at second. Here's the pitch. Change up. Taking inside for ball three. It's three and one.
- 2:28:20Will Levine went three and two to Jackson. Got him on a flyer to start it. Went three and two to Flirt. He was saved by an error by shortstop man Theo. Now he's got three and one. He's really on Javier.
- 2:28:42Ball in there for a tall strike two. Javier has joined it for his first. Now it's back down. Takes the big end to the bat. Looks around and there's a crowd reaction.
- 2:28:52But the count is off to three and two. Cardinals are leading the New York Mets by a score of ten to four here in St. Louis. Joining the Mets was Roger Craig. In case you've joined us along the way, he's been three and he's given five runs on eight hits. Struck out one and walked that.
- 2:29:14Craig is a pitcher of record as far as the New York Mets are concerned. Barry Jackson of course, who has been the only pitcher for the Cardinals, is their pitcher of record.
- 2:29:26And it's Johnny Kean running the club. Harry Walker coaching it first for the St. Louis Cardinals. Levine is looking in to get the time. Right now Javier is back down to the batter's box again. Now it's full. They're really on Javier. And now, it's just your homie Lamba to try and hatch them out. Have a word with Clem Levine.
- 2:29:56Right now it's into the stretch. Javier is setting his pitch and there's a ground ball going to third. It could be trouble.
- 2:30:12It's a hit. It's a hit. Well, early on Javier moving Bled to third on the play. The slow roll was down the third base line and the only play that third base was John Semihed with the tips of bare handed. He gave it the attempt but couldn't hang on the ball to roll away from it. Bled came on to third running on the play and so now the Cardinals have run it to first and third. And Bill White is coming up.
- 2:30:38And it's a hit number four for second baseman Hillyon Holley. He is four for five for the night. Here's Bill White up. He's two for three and a touch of five fly. Bill White is driven in two runs and scored one. Left hand batter. Careful. Misses outside. Ball wide.
- 2:30:56Right now leading by a score of ten to four and threatening here in the bottom half of the eighth inning. One man out.
- 2:31:14Going up first. Not in time. Javier getting back safe. Plenty of speed on the bases for the Cardinals. Good detect at the end of the five. He's at least a couple of two nothing. And the check flings foul ball out of play off the end of the bat out of Bill White.
- 2:31:39In Los Angeles at brand new Dodger Stadium. At the end of the inning and a half there is no score. There's nothing. There's nothing. There's nothing. Most of all he is doing is just getting ready and Sandy Kopek is pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- 2:31:56Going up first. Not in time. The Cubs setting up a try of go go go. They like to see a lot on the bases. One ball one strike to Bill White. One man out.
- 2:32:10Going outside. It's ball two. Not a fake. Not a fake shot. But a clear ball pitching outside. And Glenn Levine wants another baseball and gets it.
- 2:32:32Houston Cubs 45-2 and the Chicago Cubs heading into the fifth inning of the playoff. Glenn Hubby going for Chicago and Hal Winstead going for the Houston Cubs 45.
- 2:32:46Go go go and White keeps up out of the batter's box. They didn't see any of them. They mean Hubby here. They just heard it. They want to see him go with the double steal.
- 2:33:06Go ahead and call it. That's your homie Lando. Two balls and one strike to count. White who is talking things over with a by Tom Gorman right now.
- 2:33:33The end of the try of go go go. It's set up here in St. Louis. It's two-one for it. And the broken back down ball to second. He has a command fee of a one. He's not in that dollar one.
- 2:33:45It's going to bloodthrust in the plate. And it catches a double play. No relay throw. Left hand by the bill White. A broken bat down ball and broken in half as a matter of fact.
- 2:33:59Good point crossing the plate with the 11th St. Louis run of the evening. And Don Landrum is coming up now. You'll recall that Landrum replaced Dan Huckey on the end of the semifinal.
- 2:34:10He's running in the clean up. He's a left hand batter. As he opened it's going to be over the St. Louis guys.
- 2:34:18It's a good catch in there for a called strike. It's going on now. One run in this inning for the Cubs.
- 2:34:32It's Landrum's first time up in the ballgame. It goes outside. One and one. Speaking of Landrum opening in center field for the Cardinals last year the New York Mets have a man on the back who opened in center field for the Cardinals. White.
- 2:34:50Bobby G. Smith.
- 2:35:00It's a short of first not in time. He's back safely. John Thomas playing even though he's back at third against the speed of left hand batter Don Landrum.
- 2:35:14It's outside. It's a good one on Landrum. Before he retires in the game this evening Dan Muzeo added three base hits to his great total.
- 2:35:35He was 3-3 on a walk and scored one run. It's six and four ball out of play. Sealed in by Harry Walter down first and the coaching staff there. It's just as good to Landrum.
- 2:35:50The run that Dan Muzeo scored tied him for the National League record. The run scored the record nine out of Joplin with a late no hot.
- 2:36:02Dan Muzeo started the 1962 season his 21st year with the Cardinals tonight holding 35 National League records with a chance to add about seven more.
- 2:36:19It's a 2-2 count for Don Landrum. White leads it first. Here's the 2-2 pitch and it's a ground ball to the right side. Sealed in by Gil Hadges. Waves LeBron away. Makes the play unassisted to retire the side. So Don Landrum has gone it out.
- 2:36:33He's got one run on one hit, one error and one net left. And at the end of eight full innings of play in St. Louis, Missouri, the St. Louis Cardinals 11 and the New York Mets 4.
- 2:36:50There's a fling to the far ball off the bat of Homie Landrum in Deseret's field and Trent Flood is there and makes the catch for the out. One away. So Landrum has flied to center. He's in the top half of the ninth inning. And Jim Marshall is going to be the pet shudder here. Jim Marshall batting for Clem LeBine.
- 2:37:07Marshall is a left-hand hitter. Came to the majors with the Baltimore O'Rios, then the Chicago Cubs, then the San Francisco Giants. One was an expansion draft selection of the New York Mets authorized of the San Francisco Giants. Jim Marshall.
- 2:37:30So with one man on, Marshall is the pet shudder.
- 2:37:40As Larry Jackson lines the buzz, he's come all the way and he's in there for a cold strike.
- 2:37:58Here's a good fling to the far ball off the bat of Marshall. So it's a two-strike shot out here.
- 2:38:10Larry Jackson taking a moment to resize the new baseball.
- 2:38:19Now looking in to get the side. Two strikes to catch to Jim Marshall. Here's the pitch. It misses outside for ball one.
- 2:38:38One ball, two strikes. With one man out and nobody on base to mess batting in the top half of the ninth inning of their first game ever in national league competition. Marshall takes the ball. High. Two-two.
- 2:38:55Larry Jackson started. He's come all the way for St. Louis. He struck out two and walked two. He is allowed eight hits. Here's the ball ball on the ground, down the right field line and out of play.
- 2:39:11In case you have joined us along the way, the St. Louis Cardinals got off and winging with two runs in the bottom half of the first inning off Roger Craig. And what in fact there was a balk. Opening night jitters on behalf of the New York Mets. Moved a couple of runners up in the scoring position. Dan Usiel drove in the first run. Ken Boyer drove in the second.
- 2:39:31The New York Mets came on in the top half of the third inning to tie up the ball game as they got two runs on two hits. But then the Cardinals came right back in the bottom half of the third to add three runs and go out in front and have lead since.
- 2:39:53They got one in the fifth and four more in the sixth. One in the eighth. Three-two pitch to Marshall. Full foul on the ground and out of play down into the New York bullpen.
- 2:40:03They have done two New York home runs this evening. Gil Hodge has had one and Charlie Neal has one.
- 2:40:14In the top half of the ninth. Here comes a three-two pitch.
- 2:40:26Mrs. Dotsad and Marshall has walked. So the New York Mets have a race runner here in the top half of the ninth. That is the third walk given up this evening by Larry Jackson. And we'll bring up Richie Ashbrink. Richie is one for four. Flied to center, single, grounded out to first and fouled out to the catcher.
- 2:40:46Conference at the Mauer has managed Johnny Keene. He's gone out to talk things over with Larry Jackson. Jackson is just starting for the Trinity College free on the area. Johnny Keene turns and runs off the mound.
- 2:41:16Right now Jackson is looking M-0-G and Oliver to get the sign as Richie Ashbrink chokes up on the bat. It's an if-or-call strike one. Jim Marshall is the runner at first. Ken Boyer in on the grass at third.
- 2:41:40Doesn't feel like a great clutch. Shaded over toward left on left-hand batter Richie Ashbrink. That's the way they play him and Gotay is right in the hole. That's a call strike. Richie Ashbrink trying to duck underneath but Tom Gorman, the young guy behind the plate, says strike two.
- 2:41:55The base hit that Richie Ashbrink had in the third inning was a ground ball punched right between Ken Boyer and Julio Gotay. And there was practically no room to punch one because Gotay was as far over in the hole as he could get anyway where he is right now.
- 2:42:15Here's the drive going into center field. Big flood moving over, makes the catch. Marshall halfway on the ball ball to turn to return to make it first, no it's bad.
- 2:42:25At least Richie Ashbrink had current flood moving because this one was the straightaway center and he was shaded over the left center and had to hustle over there to pull it down.
- 2:42:35Two went out and Felix Mantia up there now. Mantia is one for three tonight and with a double he also drew a walk and scored one run.
- 2:42:58Don't forget the New York Mets. Immediately after this ball game we'll fly out of New York and tomorrow at about noon time they will be welcomed to the city of New York in a ticker tape parade and they will open up at the Polo grounds on Friday afternoon against the Pittsburgh Parrots.
- 2:43:20Here's a fly ball down the right field line. It is foul and it is carrying on over and going out of play. Right fielder Don Landrum gave it the long run but to no avail.
- 2:43:33When the New York Mets had to cut down to the 28 player limit to make the trip here to St. Louis they optioned Joe Christopher out to Syracuse.
- 2:43:41A three-four hour recall added Rod Canille to the Mets roster. He was on the Syracuse roster. They hope to have Christopher back before long.
- 2:43:51At pitch go to five. One and two now to Felix Mantia. Manager Johnny Kean was telling us just before the ball game that the Cardinals had put red chain links on the active player list.
- 2:44:03He said he didn't have to cut it. He only hit 27 as it was. Here's a ground ball going down the third base by Ken Boyer up with it. He'll have a fast throw. He's on it.
- 2:44:13First base the ball game is over. And Mantia's on it out third to first. Ken Boyer hustling over and flying it on across to Bill White.
- 2:44:21And the New York Mets have gone down to the top half of the ninth inning with no runs on, no hits, no errors and one man left.
- 2:44:28And that is the end of the ball game. We'll be back in a moment with final tells in the summer. But right now the final score of the ball game, the St. Louis Cardinals 11, the New York Mets four.
- 2:44:38And now a word for pipe smokers.