When You Pitch To The Left, Pitch Like Lefty Grove, Red Sox at White Sox, 31 July, 1936.

·2 hr 6 min·5 clips

Hal Totten describes Al Shaq's toe-dancing act and a surprise interview with a lifelong Sox fan.

This episode is a vintage baseball radio broadcast from Comiskey Park, narrated by announcer Hal Totten. It captures the pre-game atmosphere before a ladies' day game between the Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox. The broadcast blends on-field antics with an impromptu fan interview. Before the game, White Sox player Al Shaq entertains the crowd with comedic stunts at third base, including a trick where he pretends to field a ball. Announcer Hal Totten describes Shaq "toe-dancing" and sitting on the base to catch throws from teammate Frank Groove. Totten notes the crowd is "laughing in ecstasies" at these antics. The broadcaster then deviates from the usual pre-game player interview format. He instead approaches a young female fan seated along the front of the stands, whom he recognizes as a regular attendee. Her name is Marge Kirby, and she has been coming to the ballpark for about ten years. She states she became a fan at roughly six years old. When asked how she started being a fan, she simply replies, "I just came out here." Marge Kirby declares herself a "real Sox fan" who supports the team whether they are "down" or "up." Hal Totten affirms her dedication, recalling he used to see her in the same seat every day, stating she "never missed." The episode provides a direct, unfiltered snapshot of 1930s ballpark culture and fan loyalty. The casual, spontaneous interview with a young female fan is a notable departure from typical sports coverage of the era. The primary focus is on lighthearted pre-game entertainment rather than deep analysis or game strategy. The tone is lively, conversational, and deeply embedded in the live event, with Totten serving as the audience's eyes and ears. The style is a classic play-by-play radio broadcast, capturing ambient crowd reactions and spontaneous moments. Baseball history enthusiasts and fans of vintage Americana would love this authentic audio time capsule. Listeners seeking modern analysis or the full game action might skip this brief, atmospheric pre-game segment.

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Classic Baseball Radio