Baseball's Greatest Hits

2007 Season Finale

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 09:04:00 -0600

In the 2007 Season Finale, Wayne plays baseball songs and interviews from a wide variety of personalities such as Harry Carey, Jonathan Winters, Big Bill Boozney, and the musical group The King's Men (not the '60's rock group). Keep checking back for new episodes periodically throughout the off-season.

1967 St. Louis Cardinals' Highlights

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 09:12:00 -0600

It’s the 40th anniversary of the “El Birdos” of 1967. The St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series with a hustling team. Listen to Harry Carey and Jack Buck in their prime with ’67 Cards highlights.

A Conversation with Ted Barrett

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 08:07:00 -0600

Ted Barrett is a 10-year veteran major league umpire. In this interview, Barrett talks about his career as an umpire and some of the unusual incidents that occur in his job. Barrett is also the only baseball umpire that is an ordained minister of the Gospel. Barrett talks about his unique umpire camp in Falls Creek, Oklahoma "Calling for Christ."

A Tribute to Phil Rizzuto

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 08:35:00 -0600

Phil Rizzuto played shortstop for the New York Yankees from 1941-1956 (excluding war years in the Navy) and was a broadcaster for the Yankees from 1956-1996. Nicknamed “The Scooter” due to his hustle on the field, Rizzuto played on seven World Champion Yankee teams. He won the 1950 American League Most Valuable Player Award and was named to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994. He passed away in August 2007. This show is an example of his broadcasting style as we listen to 1977 New York Yankee highlights.

A Tribute to Buck O'Neil - Part 2

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 19:00:00 -0600

Founder of the Negro Baseball League Museum, Buck O'Neil passed away in October 2006. A former player and manager in the Negro Leagues, O'Neil reached national notoriety in the 1980's Ken Burn's film "Baseball." Kansas City broadcaster Don Fortune talks with O'Neil about his life in baseball on this week's Baseball's Greatest Hits.

A Conversation with Robert Pelton

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 08:29:00 -0600

Author, Robert Pelton, a long-time baseball fan talks about meeting Babe Ruth, attending Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series and talking with Mickey Mantle and Billy Martin in the Commerce, Oklahoma barber shop. Pelton also talks about writing US History from a Christian perspective, this week on Baseball's Greatest Hits.

Slugger Songs

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 11:07:00 -0600

With Barry Bonds recently setting the all-time home run record, we listen to music about baseball sluggers. Out tribute in song highlights Babe Ruth, Stan Musial, Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Willie Mays, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa.

A Conversation with John Heidenry

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 10:00:00 -0600

Author John Heidenry speaks about his new book, "The Gas House Gang." It's all about the unusual make-up of the 1934 St. Louis Cardinals. From the country boys of the Dean brothers and Pepper Martin to the brash eastern players like Joe Medwick and Leo Durocher, you'll find it a history rich and humorous book about one of the all-time great teams in baseball history.

1947 Bing Crosby Radio Show

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 10:42:00 -0600

Bing Crosby was at one time a part owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates. In his Philco Radio Show from 1947, Crosby visits with Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg. Greenberg was traded to the Pirates following the 1946 season to help tutor a young Ralph Kiner. Greenberg's teachings must have worked, as Kiner became a Hall of Famer too. Also along for laughs is Groucho Marx.

An Interview with Denny Matthews

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 08:36:00 -0600

On July 29, Denny Matthews voice of the Kansas City Royals will be inducted into the broadcaster's wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Matthews has been the radio play-by-play announcer for the Royals since their inaugural season in 1969. He talks about the history of the Royals, some of their great players including George Brett, and the unusual way he got the Royals job in 1968.

An Interview with Don Sutton

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 10:41:00 -0600

Don Sutton had a 23 year career as a star pitcher. He won 324 games and had over 3,500 strikeouts and was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Sutton discusses his career and his refreshing outlook on the game today. This week on Baseball's Greatest Hits.

Baseball Folk Songs

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 09:33:00 -0600

Over the years, baseball has been the theme for many folk songs. In this edition of Baseball's Greatest Hits, host Wayne McCombs plays some recently recorded folk songs dealing with the grand old game.

An Interview with Ralph Terry - Part 2

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 09:18:00 -0600

In part two with Ralph Terry, the Chelsea, OK native talks about playing for the great Yankee team and the exciting game seven of the 1962 World Series.

An Interview with Ralph Terry - Part 1

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 09:55:00 -0600

Ralph Terry pitched in the major leagues for 12 years. He is best remembered for pitching with the New York Yankees in the halcyon days of Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, and Roger Maris from 1959-1964. He is the only pitcher in World Series history to lose a seventh game and win a seventh game. In part one, Terry talks about his career up to the seventh game of the 1960 World Series. Get set for some great Casey Stengel stories this week on Baseball's Greatest Hits.

The Dizzy Dean Radio Show

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 10:51:00 -0600

After his playing career, Dizzy Dean became a very popular sports announcer. Here's a sample of his NBC network radio program from August 1948.

Mickey Mantle Day 1969

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 11:04:00 -0600

Mickey Mantle Day, June 8, 1969, Yankee Stadium. This program will make the hair on the back of your neck stand-up.

New York City Baseball in the 1950's

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 09:26:00 -0600

New York City ruled baseball in the 1950's. This week on Baseball's Greatest Hits, we'll hear game highlights and a few songs that made the 1950's one of baseball's most popular decades.

An Interview with Ernie Harwell

Sun, 03 Jun 2007 22:20:00 -0600

Ernie Harwell was a major league baseball announcer for 55 years with the Dodgers, Giants, Orioles, and Tigers. Harwell released a four CD collection of stories and highlights from his career as an audio scrapbook available at www.eharwell.com. Harwell talks about his career, managers he has worked with, and his faith in Jesus with host Wayne McCombs, this week on Baseball's Greatest Hits.

Ernie Harwell Highlights

Tue, 29 May 2007 10:03:00 -0600

Ernie Harwell broadcast major league baseball games for 55 years, retiring in 2002. Harwell covered all the big names in baseball during his career and was on the scene for some of the top moments in baseball history. Recently Harwell released some of his career highlights. Host Wayne McCombs listens in, this time on Baseball's Greatest Hits. The entire collection is available at eharwell.com.

A Conversation with John Wooley

Mon, 21 May 2007 14:25:00 -0600

In this edition of Baseball's Greatest Hits, host Wayne McCombs welcomes guest John Wooley. Wooley was the Tulsa World entertainment writer for over 22 years. He has authored dozens of books and written scripts for movies. Wooley also has an extensive radio and music background. Today he is a freelance writer and hosts "Swing on This", a weekly western swing music program heard Saturdays at 7pm on KWGS Radio 89.5FM in Tulsa.

Jackie Robinson Radio Show

Mon, 14 May 2007 10:48:00 -0600

MLB recently honored Jackie Robinson on the 60th Anniversary of his major league debut, breaking the color barrier. Robinson was a very articulate person and after his retirement, had his own radio show. Here's examples from 1960, this week on Baseball's Greatest Hits.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Tue, 08 May 2007 09:09:00 -0600

Ever wonder who wrote the song, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"? Author Richard Bauman of West Covina, California is the guest on this edition of Baseball's Greatest Hits and talks about the unusual show business career of the author Jack Norworth. Also, hear the song in it's entirety as performed by the National Pastime Orchestra plus host Wayne McCombs challenges the listener not to smile during the 1934 rendition performed by the Hoosier Hot Shots.

Abbott & Costello's Who's on First

Tue, 01 May 2007 09:52:00 -0600

Join Wayne in listening to some of the greatest comedic genius of all time, Abbott & Costello's Who's on First, this week on Baseball's Greatest Hits.

Baseball Comedy

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 10:18:00 -0600

Baseball nut Wayne McCombs listens to some comedy's greats talk about America's favorite pastime. Take a listen and prepare to laugh out loud, this week on Baseball's Greatest Hits.

Tribute to Buck O'Neil - Part 1

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 00:52:00 -0600

Wayne listen's in on an interview with baseball great Buck O'Neil. John Jordan "Buck" O'Neil was an American first baseman and manager in Negro league baseball, most notably in the Negro American League with the Kansas City Monarchs. After his playing days, he became the first African American coach in Major League Baseball. In his later years he became a popular speaker, helping to renew interest in the Negro leagues, and played a major role in establishing the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri.

Opening Day 2007

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 08:48:00 -0600

Baseball author and historian, Wayne McCombs, returns for another exciting season of Baseball's Greatest Hits. This week includes some great baseball music and an interview with MLB radio announcer, Red Barber. He worked for the Reds, the Dodgers, and the Yankees throughout his career from the 1930's until 1985. Enjoy the show and thanks for joining us for this new season of Baseball's Greatest Hits.

New Episdoes Next Week on Baseball's Greatest Hits

Tue, 03 Apr 2007 10:09:00 -0600

Join baseball author and historian, Wayne McCombs, next week for the 2007 season of Baseball's Greatest Hits. This season will include all the fun and excitement that comes from America's favorite pastime. Please join us!

Most Requested Baseball Music from 2006

Tue, 03 Apr 2007 10:01:00 -0600

Wayne takes a listen to the most requested baseball songs from the 2006 season of Baseball's Greatest Hits. Check in next week for the newest episode with you favorite All-American, Wayne McCombs.

Elmer the Great, a baseball radio play

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 11:07:00 -0600

Wayne presents a classic baseball radio play titled Elmer the Great. Please sit back and enjoy this presentation with your host Wayne McCombs.

New episodes coming in April

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 11:04:00 -0600

New episodes of Baseball's Greatest Hits coming in April, with your host, baseball author and historian, Wayne McCombs. Join us for all new trivia, guests, music, and more.