Smokies Radio Network

On this date in baseball history, the Beatles gave their final full concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco in 1966.

On August 24, 1945, service to club could finally take precedence over service to country for Bob Feller. Mick Gillispie told the story of the Hall of Fame pitcher’s return to the Major Leagues from World War Two service during the sixth inning of Tennessee’s game with the Jacksonville Suns on Sunday.

On August 19, 1921, the surliest peach Georgia ever produced reached a major milestone: Ty Cobb got his 3,000th hit. Cobb was, at the time, just the fourth player to reach the milestone. Cap Anson was the first in 1897, while Honus Wagner and Ned Lajoie reached the mark in June and September of 1914, […]

August 18, 1910, marked the opening of one of baseball’s greatest pilgrimage sites: Rickwood Field. Mick Gillispie told the story of the stadium’s origins, its many uses – including Alabama Crimson Tide football – and a history dotted by some of the most legendary names in baseball during the sixth inning of Tennessee’s game with Montgomery […]

On August 17, 1933, the Iron Horse galloped well ahead of the pack, suiting up for his 1,309th consecutive game. Gehrig eventually suited up in 2,130 consecutive games, a streak that would carry to the final game of his career before his sudden retirement due to ALS. Gehrig went 2-for-5 with an RBI double against […]

Willie Mays was in the middle of a great run of form on August 16, 1966, and took a pitch the other way to lead off the third and make history at Candlestick Park by tying himself with Jimmie Foxx for the most home runs by a right-handed hitter at 534. Mays needed little time […]

On August 15, 1993, the man who defined the power pitcher for a generation found himself in the win column for the final time: Nolan Ryan won his 324th game. In 38 days, his arm would finally buckle under the weight of 27 seasons of baseball. Mick Gillispie told the story of Ryan’s final win – […]

On August 14, 1993, the New York Yankees sent the number 44 to the outfield wall forever, making Reggie Jackson the fourteenth Yankee to have his number retired. Jackson became a legend in baseball for his postseason play, earning him the nickname “Mr. October.” He finished his career with a .357 batting average, .457 on-base […]

Brooklyn Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley deemed August 13, 1951  “Music Depreciation Night” at Ebbets Field to celebrate the reconstitution of the Brooklyn Dodgers’ beloved off-key pep band: the Brooklyn Dodgers Sym-Phony. Though the Dodgers left Brooklyn more than five decades ago and the musicians now well into their senior years, the Sym-Phony still makes occasional appearances […]

On August 12, 1997, Rex Barney, former Dodgers pitcher and Orioles public address announcer, lost his battle with cancer. Later that night, Camden Yards commemorated his passing not with a moment of silence, but with nine innings of silence. Mick Gillispie told the story of the silent game at Camden Yards and Barney’s baseball legacy […]