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The New York Yankees faced the Washington Senators at RFK Stadium for opening day on
Monday, April 7, 1969. By this point, the Yankees had been an average team for several
seasons. Their stars that led them to 12 World Series and 14 seasons throughout the 1950s
and 60s were all gone. This game would mark the first New York Yankee season in 50 years
that didn't feature either Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, or Babe Ruth.
The Senators had been a below average team for nearly a decade, having never finished
higher than sixth place in every one of the franchise's eight seasons. They entered 1969,
however, with some new hope, having hired Ted Williams as their new manager. This audio
recording is from the New York Radio broadcast featuring announcers Jerry Coleman, Frank
Messer, and Phil Rizzuto.
Well, we're all set to go here with the starting lineup. We'll take a look at the Yankees
first. We mentioned that there was some distepency in the starting lineup for the Yankees. Tommy
Tresh, who has been suffering from a cold, tonsillitis, and some other sort of throat
pain, he is going to try it today. It's such a spectacularly beautiful day. Tommy, although
he does not feel good, has decided to play. Had he not been able to play, Gene Michael
would have taken his spot.
The starting lineup for the Yankees on this opening day, 1969, Horace Clark at second
base, Jerry Kenny in center field batting second, Bobby Mercer at third base hitting
third, Roy White batting clean up playing left, Joe Pepitone at first base. He's batting
fifth. Tommy Tresh will hit sixth and play shortstop. Bill Robinson will be in right
field batting seventh. Jake Gibbs will do the catching. He'll hit eighth. And Mel Sottlemeyer
will pitch and bat ninth.
For the Washington Senators, under the guidance of freshman manager Ted Williams wearing uniform
number nine, Bill Windsor will start it off. He'll lead off and play center field. Ed Strauss
will be in right field batting second. Frank Howard, who's 44 home runs last year, led
the American League in that department and all of baseball, he'll bat third and play
left. Mike Epstein will hit in the clean up spot and play first base. Ken McMullen will
play a third base and bat fifth. Hitting sixth and playing second, Tim Cullen. Ed Brinkman
will be the shortstop batting seventh. Paul Casanova will do the catching. He'll hit eighth.
And Camilo Hasquiao, who won 12 and lost 12 in 1968, will do the pitching and he'll bat
ninth.
So there you have it, the starting lineup for this opening day, 1969, and what a spectacular
day. We mentioned it before, temperature 70 degrees, beautiful clear skies. It's the kind
of a day when you're a ballplayer, you say, brother, give them all to me just like this.
We mentioned before this is the beginning of the 100th centennial anniversary for professional
baseball. The Cincinnati Red Stockings had the first all-pro team back in 1869. There
were professional ballplayers prior to this, but the 1869 Cincinnati ball club was the
first all-professional team. To give you a little idea of how things have changed, back
in 1869, the entire ball club's salary totaled only 9,500. The rawest rookie in the major
leagues today gets 10,000. So there's quite a change. We'll be looking at some new changes
this year. The mound's been shortened from 15 inches to 10. The strike zone has been
dropped. It was from the shoulders to below the knee. Now it's been raised to just above
the knee and lowered to the armpits. And also the 20-second rule will be in effect this
year. With no runners on base, the pitcher, after the batter takes his position, must
deliver the ball within 20 seconds. I want to point that out. It isn't from the time
the pitcher gets the ball from the catcher. The batter must be in position to hit, and
then the umpire will point his finger toward the pitcher, and this in turn will dictate
that the count is on for 20 seconds. So those three new innovations have been written in
the rule books for 1969. As you know, we went through some various experimental phases with
pinch runners and pinch batters in spring training, and they were used only during the
spring training session, although they will be tried in some minor leagues throughout
the minor league structure of baseball, and possibly in 1970 if they are fruitful and
worthy of it, may be entered into the rules. While we're about ready to go, Horace Clark.
There's the man who will lead off for the Yankees. He'll be facing Camilo Pascual,
but before this gets underway, we would like to remind you this program is brought to you
in cooperation with Sports Network, and is authorized under rights granted by the New
York Yankees solely for the entertainment of our audience. Any publication, reproduction,
or other use of the descriptions and accounts of this game without the express consent of
the New York Yankees is prohibited. A week from tomorrow, incidentally, the Yankees open
up at the stadium against these same Washington Senators, and that will give you your first
opportunity to see Ted Williams in action as a manager. He was kind of a nervous guy
before the game. Manager Ralph House has been through this many times before, sat composed
and relaxed. But we're about ready to go. Pascual gets the sign from Casanova, and the
1969 season is underway with a high-fast ball. It's ball one to Horace Clark. Ken McMullen
at third, Ed Brinkman at short, Tim Cullen at second, Mike Epstein at first. The inner
defense for the Senators. Pascual again, the 1-0 delivery. It's hit high in the air into
short center field. Dale Unzer drifting in, waiting. He's got it one away. The season
officially underway as Horace Clark flies into short center field. One up, one down,
and now the young rookie Jerry Kenny coming on. Kenny batting from the left side, as did
Horace Clark. Ken McMullen in tight at third. Kenny Willbunt. Pascual's first pitch is a
high curve. It's right in there, strike one. Camilo Pascual, who holds the strikeout record
for the Washington Senators, struck out 15 batters. That's the club record. That was
when he was with the Senators before moving to Minnesota. The one-strike pitch to Kenny
is a check swing foul just off to our right and kicks off near the TV booth.
The 15th season in the big leagues. I'd mention too that this ballpark, formerly known as
D.C. Stadium, has been changed to Robert F. Kennedy Stadium. And it is packed, a full
house. The two-strike delivery by Pascual is a curve that's in the dirt, scooped up
nicely by Casanova. One ball and two strikes. One away. Ball game just getting underway.
Yankees batting top of the first. Dick Hauser in his first official role during the season,
coaching at third, and Elston Howard doing the same at first for the Yanks. The one-two
pitch is a high curve over the head of Jerry Kenny. Two balls and two strikes. Bobby Mercer
waiting in the on-deck circle. A lot of the press and news media from out-of-town areas
here. I saw some from Boston and Baltimore. The two-two pitch now is Kenny Wade. Pascual
delivers. Inside it misses. It's a three-and-two count. There you hear the fans. They thought
they had it. The plate umpire is Jim Honachik. He's the senior umpire in the American League.
Hank Sore is at first. Frank Umont at second. Bill Haller at third. And they've got a young
rookie umpire, Ron Luciano, who is in left field, sort of working out. They have five
umpires today. The payoff pitch. Hit sharply into center. Unzer on the move. He makes a
play. That ball was hit. A fine play by Dale Unzer as Jerry Kenny unloaded on a fastball
and drilled it into the gap in right center, but Unzer was right there. Two up and two
down. Here's Bobby Mercer. Kenny, as you know, spent a year in the service. Mercer is just
coming off of a two-year hitch. Bobby won the third base job over Bobby Cox in spring training.
Bobby batted higher than any other Yankee this spring, hitting 365. There are only 300
batter in the spring. He's batting number three, waiting. The pitch. In there, strike one.
Many people tab Bobby Mercer to be one of the big stars in the American League's future.
Now time has been called, and Mercer apparently wants to take a look at the baseball. Plate
umpire Jim Honachik gives it the once over and says it's okay, and back it goes. With
Mercer, Ken McMullen, the third baseman, has moved back a little bit, but is giving Mercer
about 10 feet of the foul line. Not moving over into that hole too much. Fairly tight
at third. Defense has shifted in the outfield to the right side. Here's the one strike pitch.
In the dirt, and did it hit Bobby? I do not believe so. He dropped his bat. As a means
of explanation, should the ball bounce in the dirt and hit the batter, it's the same
as if it hit him on a fly. It doesn't make any difference whether it hits the ground
first or not. Had that ball hit Bobby, he would have been awarded first base. It's a
one ball, one strike count. Two down, nobody on top of the first.
Always a little extra tickle in your throat on opening day. Here's Pasquale. Curve is
low. Two balls, one strike. That's the second time Pasquale has given Jim Honachik that
long look, as if to say, where was it? The field bathed completely in sunlight. The 2-1
pitch on the way. Mercer takes a change up outside for 3-1. Roy White, the clean up batter
for the Yankees in the on deck circle. Mercer with a look at Dick Hauser at third base,
wanting to know, shall I take it or shall I swing? Pasquale into the wind up. The 3-1
delivery has hit hard to center field. Unser moving back near the wall, backing up. He's
got it. The ball was hit sharply by Mercer as Dale Unser retired all three Yankees, Clark,
Kenny and Mercer. Three up and three down. And the score after a half inning of play,
the Yanks nothing, Senators coming to bat. For the benefit of all you fans in the metropolitan
area, the Yankees have again established numerous ticket outlets throughout the metropolitan
area, making it as convenient as possible for you baseball fans that want to come to
Yankee games to purchase tickets. We've got the stadium, of course, by mail or in person.
Or you can go in person at Grand Central Station at the Shraft Restaurant throughout the metropolitan
area. Or at the 170 branches of the First National City Bank. Or try ticket reservation
systems outlets. Or you can go to the New Jersey Automobile Club in Oro Del, Patterson,
and Jersey City. So there you have it. There are all kinds of places to get tickets. You
can drop by Yankee Stadium right now and pick them up. Grand Central's ticket outlet, Shraft
Restaurant, First National City Bank, ticket reservation systems outlets, or the Automobile
Club in Oro Del, Patterson, and Jersey City. Mel Stottlemeyer warming up for the Yankees.
Mel had a banner year last season for the Yanks, winning 21 and losing only 12. Last
season, Mel was 4 and 1 against the Senators. Camilo Pasquale, 3 and 1 against the Yankees.
So this is quite a battle. These pitchers have been effective against their opposition.
Stottlemeyer, 4 and 1, and 68 against Washington. Pasquale, 3 and 1 against the Yankees last
year. This will be Stottlemeyer's fourth opening day assignment. He's got a record of 2 and
1 in those assignments, and his only loss was to Camilo Pasquale. That was back on April
the 21st, 1965. Leading off for the Senators, Dale Unzer. He'll be followed by Ed Stroud
and then by the big guy, Frank Howard, batting in the number 3 spot. Coaching for the Senators,
Nellie Fox at first base, Wayne Twilliger at third. Mercer's moved in tight at third
base. Unzer will bunnychokes up quite a bit from the left side. Waiting, Stottlemeyer's
first delivery is right down the middle. Strike one. He zipped that in there with a little
extra. Outfield defense is shading Unzer to the opposite field. Kenny has moved into the
gap in left center. White guarding the line in left. Robinson giving a big slice of the
right field line to Unzer. Unzer started a bunt and takes one outside. One ball, one
strike. The field in perfect condition. Walked around it out there. Absolutely perfect. The
1-1 pitch to Unzer by Stottlemeyer hits sharply up the middle. It's in there for a single.
So the first batter for the Senators, Dale Unzer, lines a single sharply up the middle,
and that is the first hit for the 1969 baseball season anywhere. The Giants and the Braves
play in Atlanta tonight, and Cincinnati and the Dodgers are playing in Cincinnati. Ed
Stroud is stepping in. Unzer at first. Stroud, a left-hand hitter waiting as Stottlemeyer
sets, delivers. Outside corner, strike one. Beautiful fastball. Just ticked the corner.
Yankee in field, Trashett short. Clark at second. Very tight. Double play depth. Stroud
can run and so can Unzer at first. Stottlemeyer coming into a set position. Mel ready. Kicks,
delivers. There's a chopper over Stottlemeyer's head. Clark up with it. Has to go to first
base, and getting by him down to second is Dale Unzer. Forrest Clark had to come in front
of Unzer, and the only play he had was at first base. Well, you hear the hand for the
big guy. Frank Oliver Hondo Howard. Who can forget? Ten home runs in 20 times at bat,
spread over six games last year. Captured the headlines and the fancy of baseball fans
everywhere. Big guy held out a lot, and he is not in top shape at the moment. Came in
very late, but he got that big $100,000. Stottlemeyer's first delivery to Howard. A groundball. Mercer
to his left. He has it. It's going to be a long throw. It's in the dirt. A nice pickup
by Pepitone. Bobby Mercer was playing deep for Howard. Went almost to the shortstop position,
threw the ball low, and Pepitone scooped it out, holding at second base, Dale Unzer. Fine
play by Bobby Mercer. You can bet that these youngsters, like Mercer and Kenny, are going
to be a little tight today. And even the veterans tighten up on days like this. Mike Epstein,
who had a disappointing season last year, has never really hit the peaks expected of him
is stepping in right now. Unzer at second. Stottlemeyer kicks, delivers, and Epstein
takes a slider in their strike one. Epstein batted 234 last year. Thirteen home runs and
only 33 RBIs. Hits from the left side. He's waiting. Stottlemeyer kicks again and delivers
this one low. One ball and one strike. Two outs. No score. We're in the last of the first
inning. Dale Unzer, who has the only hit in the ballgame, is on at second base. A leadoff
single by Unzer. He went to second on the ground out by Stroud and held when Frank Howard
bounced out to Bobby Mercer. President Richard Nixon watching the action. Second time he's
thrown out the first ball, once as a vice president in 59. All right, Stottlemeyer sets.
The 1-1 delivery is outside. Epstein, two balls and one strike. Stottlemeyer had his
usual fine spring in exhibition games, had an earned run average of 0.45. He's ready
again. Now steps off the rubber and apparently wants to get the sign changed. Remember the
American rule of delivery does not stand with runners on base. Mel Stottlemeyer again is
having trouble with Gibbs getting together on the side and steps off once more and the
fans are rabid here in these parts. When they come out, they have a lot to say. We've got
a good crowd today. Packed house, standing room only. The pitch by Mel is just outside.
Three balls and one strike to Mike Epstein. On deck, Ken McMullen, another holdout artist
this spring. Stottlemeyer once again, the 3-1 delivery to Epstein on the way. It's in
there. A full count. Outfield very deep with Epstein up there. He's the youngster who is
a fullback for the football team at the University of California. Stands deep in the box. Chokes
up just a little bit. Playoff pitch coming up. Stottlemeyer ready. Here it is and Epstein
takes a curve inside for ball four. A base on balls to Mike Epstein. The Senators have
runners at first and second with two down. The batter now, third baseman Ken McMullen.
This ought to be a rather interesting year for baseball fans everywhere. Ted Williams,
no question that he's the finest hitter in our generation, possibly of all time. And
he's got a lot of young ball players with promise like McMullen, Epstein, Casanova who
are not hitting up the par. So it'll be interesting to see just exactly what he can do and how
much he can do with these men. Ken McMullen, one of those youngsters who batted only 248
last year, waiting. Takes a slider outside for ball one as Stottlemeyer has lost that
plate momentarily. The Yankees will rely heavily on their fine pitching of Stottlemeyer, Bonson,
Peterson, Burback, Kekich, Talbot right down the line. The 1-0 pitch. McMullen takes it
low. Two balls, no strikes. Yankees in field is back and deep. Runners at first and second
for the Senators. No score, last of the first. The flags here at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium
at half-mast in honor of President Dwight David Eisenhower. The 2-0 pitch in there this
time for a strike, a curveball. Two balls, one strike. Stottlemeyer checking Gibbs. McMullen
waiting. Mell delivers and there's a half swing called strike two, two and two. This
is the big pitch for Mell. He'd like to get this one over. When you go to three and two,
the runners will be moving. It makes it tough for the fielders. You only have one play.
That's at first. The 2-2 delivery. Check swing foul back at the screen. The count holes,
two balls and two strikes. The stadium here in Washington with all the bunting out, symbol
of the American flag hanging off the upper deck and along the base of the field. Quite
an impressive sight. This ballpark and the stands are completely circular with the upper
deck circling the entire playing field. Stottlemeyer ready again. 2-2 delivery coming up. Here
it is. McMullen takes it inside three and two and that's the one that Mell did not want.
The runners will be going now. It's three balls, two strikes, two down. Epstein will
move off of first. Unzer will be going from second. The play now will have to go to first.
Bobby Mercer deep at third. Trash deep at short. Clark the same at second. Pepitone
back at first. The runners go. There's a ground ball. One hopper back to Stottlemeyer. Mell
flips over to Pepitone and the side is retired. So Stottlemeyer who ran into some hot water
in the first inning gets out of it. No runs, a base hit, two left. And the score after
one full inning of play, Yanks nothing, Washington nothing. Say for all you Yankee fans who shepherd
the family finances, we've got some good news for you. The Yankees have a new sponsor this
year. Yes sir, it's First National City Bank. During the season we'll be bringing you a
lot of useful new ideas on managing your money, on saving it, on keeping it safe while traveling
and on how to get more when you need it. You know it's true that First National City has
so many services now, it really is the only bank that you and your family ever need. For
instance, our new sponsor even makes it easier for you to order tickets to Yankee games.
At any of their 170 branches around the New York area, you can charge them on First National
City's Master Charge Card. What? You don't have one yet? Well, why not pick up a free
application at any branch? It's the Worldwide Everything Card, the charge card that's good
for just about everything and more places around town than any other card. And it's
the card you can use at any place all the way across the country and around the world.
So you see there are a lot of reasons to say, welcome First National City, it's nice to
have you around.
Well, there's quite a sign on the board out there as we get ready for the second inning
and it says, Hello Mickey Mantle, wherever you are. I don't know that Mickey's in the
stands, we didn't see him around. But I'm sure that on today, of all days, Mickey will
miss not being here as much as any other day this season. Camilo Pasquale, he'll face Roy
White, Joe Pepitone and Tommy Trash. Camilo Pasquale, who's third on the all-time strikeout
list for active pitchers. He's into the windup. Big curve over the head of Roy White for ball
one. White, a switch hitter batting from the left side. In fact, Clark, Kenny, Mercer,
White, Pepitone, Trash will all go up there from the left side. Swing and a miss by Roy
White, one ball and one strike. Roy, as you recall, did not have the benefit of a complete
spring training. It wasn't until March 20th that he was clear of his Army duty. Pasquale,
the one-one pitch, fastball is high, two balls and one strike. Camilo Pasquale is 20 and
26 lifetime against the Yankees. Pasquale ready again, the two-one delivery, White waiting,
fouls it off on the right side. Two balls, two strikes. Now Pasquale kicking at the rubber.
Camilo Pasquale, in his career, before today, of course, has struck out 2,102 batters. The
2-2 pitch to White. Curve is in there. Oh, pardon me, three balls and two strikes. Three
and two the count. Roy White taking a breaking pitch just below the knees. Now the payoff
pitch coming up. White waiting. Pasquale delivers. Outside, ball four, and Roy White, who can
run those bases, moves down to first. A leadoff, base on balls. First Yankee base runner, and
that will bring up Joe Pepitone. Paul Casanova yelling something to Pasquale, pointing to
the infielders. Ed Brinkman at short, Tim Cullen at second. Roy White, who can go down that
line, or steal a base, on at first. Pepitone stepping in. Nobody out. Outfield shifted
to the right, Pepitone waiting. The pitch is on the ground foul, past L.A. Howard down
the right side. Last year, Roy White stole 20 bases, and he tied Horace Clark for the
team lead in that department. Of course, it's youth and speed, 1969 edition of the New
York Yankees. Pepitone, one of the veteran ball players. He's waiting as Pasquale gets
a sign from Casanova. There goes White. The pitch is taken. Casanova's throw is not in
time, and White steals his first base. Ed Brinkman thought he had him, but Roy White
gave a beautiful fadeaway slide to the inside of the bag. Not many men can do that. Usually,
they go the other way, and he beat the tag. So, Roy White is on at second base. And while
we're waiting for the dust to clear, let's pause for station identification. The WHN
weather word for this afternoon, sunny and quite mild, the high in the mid-60s. Tonight,
fair and mild, low in the mid-40s. Right now, 64 degrees. WHN, 1050, New York. White at
second, nobody out. Pepitone the hitter. One ball and one strike, and now he wants to pull
the ball to advance quite to third. And on that, Pasquale, who's been around a few years,
as we mentioned, he's starting his 16th year as a pitcher, has a little conference with
his catcher, Casanova. He'd like to get Pepitone to hit to the left side, so White would not
be able to advance. Any ground ball to the right side to Cullen at second or Epstein
at first will move White over to third with only one out. On the other hand, Pepitone
might hit something where nobody's standing. There's a curve that's low and inside. Two
balls and one strike. Joe Pepitone, he's being deliberate, stepping into the box. Camilo
Pasquale taking plenty of time. Yankees on their first scoring thread of 1969 with White
at second. Here's the pitch to Pepe. Hit high and near into center field. Roy White will
not tag up. He cannot go any place. And Camilo Pasquale did what he wanted to do. He held
Roy White at second base as Pepitone flies to center. There have been four outs in this
ball game and Del Unser has made all of them. Clark fly to center. Kenny line to center.
Mercer fly to center. And now Pepitone has fly to center. White holding at second and
Tommy Tresh who was just a probable starter before the game got underway. And he said
that he wanted to play on his opening day. You must remember the Yankees are off tomorrow
and then they do not play until Wednesday night. So Tommy after this game can go home
and go to bed for almost two days. Tresh, as they say, playing on shared guts alone.
He doesn't feel good but he's going to play. There goes White for third. The throw is not
in time and White has stolen second and third. Tresh took the ball. It was outside. It's
ball one on Tommy Tresh as Roy White got a blazing jump. No chance for a play. The ball
kicked away from McMullen but even had it been a good throw White was there. How do
you like that? Two stolen bases. And Roy White did what Pepitone couldn't do. He got to third
base anyway. Tommy Tresh now with the infield in. Now Brinkman the shortstop has moved into
a halfway position. Cullen moves back a little bit. Pasquale taking his line up delivers
and the ball is sliced off into the Yankee dugout from the bat of Tommy Tresh. One ball
in one strike. I see a man with a hat on and a business suit who brought a glove with him.
He's standing right at the railing ready to catch anything that comes his way. I've got
to say there's a baseball fan. We used to call him Baseball Nuts or Baseball Joes but
he brought his glove with him. People sitting here in their shirt sleeves, those that are
in the sun. Beautiful day. Can't get over it. 70 degrees. The 1-1 pitch as Tresh waits.
Here it comes. Sharply hit for a base hit and the Yankees lead 1-0 as White comes across.
Tommy Tresh lined a sharp single between Epstein and Cullen into right field and the Yankees
take the lead 1-0. So Tommy Tresh off to a good start in his first at bat. And isn't
it always the way? Tommy feels miserable and yet he walks up there and stroked a curveball
solidly into right field and the Yankees lead 1-0. Bill Robinson stepping in. Tresh at first.
One away. Top of the second. Yankees leading 1-0. Camilo Pasquale getting the sign from
Paul Casanova. Throws the first. Tresh back in plenty of time. Senators, they're dug out
on the right side. Yankees on the left side. There's a high, tight, fast ball. It misses
to Robinson. Ball one. Describe that a little more accurately. The Yankees on the third
base side. The Senators on the first base side. Pasquale ready again. Robinson waits.
Here's the pitch. Hard hit ball to McMullen. Bobbles at a third again. Then throws the
second in time to get Tresh. Ken McMullen bobbled the ball twice but he did manage to
pick it up in time to get Tommy Tresh at second base. The ball was hit so sharply that McMullen
had a chance to kick it around a while and still get Tommy. Robinson holds that first
base on the force and that'll bring up Jake Gibbs with two outs. Pasquale. Right in the
back well. Running into trouble here in the second inning. Stottlemeyer had a bad inning
in the first with a hit and a walk. A couple of men getting on but managed to survive without
giving up a run. Bill Robinson, another one of the young speedy Yankees on at first. The
pitch to Gibbs is right in there. Strike one. Yankees, as we mentioned, off tomorrow. They
again Wednesday night and it'll be Stan Bonson, the Yankees rookie of the year last season,
going up against the young rookie, at least in age, Joe Coleman for the Senators. He's
not a full fledged rookie but he seems to be. He's only 22 years old. The one strike
pitch coming up to Gibbs as Robinson breaks the ball is in the dirt and Bill will have
himself a stolen base. Third stolen base this inning. Casanova had no control over this
one. That ball bounced in the dirt and the best he could do was block it. And we might
say also in defense of Casanova, the Yankee runners are getting their jumps on Pasquale,
not on the catcher. There's not much that Casanova can do even though he's got one of
the finest arms in baseball to throw these men out because they are really moving and
they've got big leads by the time Casanova ever gets around to getting the ball. So whoever
is helping them, they're reading Pasquale just right and getting good jumps. Robinson
now at second base. Gibbs waiting. One ball, one strike, two down. Here's the pitch to
Jake. He hits one sharply into left field. It drops in for a base hit. Here comes Robinson
and the Yankees are out in front two to nothing as Jake stuck out his bat and lined a single
to left. The Yankees and the stolen base. We talked about youth and speed and never
was it pointed up more than in this inning with White stealing second and third and scoring
on a hit by Trash Robinson stealing second and scoring on a single by Gibbs. Yankees move
out in front two to nothing. Now Mel Stottlemeyer. Stottlemeyer the sixth batter for the Yankees
in this inning. Two down, Gibbs at first. If you recall last season Jake stole more bases
than any catcher in baseball. I believe that number was eight if I'm not mistaken. Nine.
We'll give him one more. Jake stole nine bases last year. He's on it first as Pasquale sets
and delivers and Stottlemeyer is backed off the plate. Ball won the count. Camilo Pasquale
whose lifetime major league record is 170 wins 163 losses. He's set. Stottlemeyer fouls
one on the left side out of play. It was right here in this ballpark that Mel had five for
five one afternoon his best hitting day ever. Camilo Pasquale a veteran right hander. He
had some serious arm problems a few years ago but is overcoming. Kicks and delivers
a curve over the head of Stottlemeyer. The count now two balls in one strike with two
outs two runs across. The Yankees are leading by that score two to nothing. Top of the second
and Jake Gibbs at first. Defense straight away for Stottlemeyer not too deep either
in the infield or the outfield. Mel drills one hard to left Frank Howard backing up one
hand and that ball was really hit. Stottlemeyer never hit a ball any harder but the big guy
backed up and one handed it to take a possible extra base hit away from Mel. For the Yankees
two runs on two base hits one man left three stolen bases in that inning for the Yankees
and the score after an inning and a half it's the Yankees two and the Senators nothing.
Well we'd like to remind you once again about the 170 new Yankee ticket outlets for you
baseball fans in the greater New York area this season. They're at all the branches of
the first National City Bank. Choice seats any Yankee home game can be purchased at a
first National City Bank near you but that's not all. Tickets can be charged on first
Nationals master charge the worldwide everything card at the bank or right at Yankee Stadium.
Now how's that for convenience? Why should drop into your nearest first National City
Bank for your Yankee tickets and don't forget what's coming up a week from tomorrow opening
day at Yankee Stadium. The Washington Senators will be the Yankee opponent and they'll be
there on Wednesday and Thursday and then that great big weekend date with a world champion
Detroit Tigers ladies day Saturday April 19th and a big doubleheader the first one of the
year April 20th on Sunday also against the Detroit Tigers. How about that for a first
week of baseball? Mel Salomayr has now got himself a little cushion out there it's the
Yankees two and the Senators nothing and he'll be going up against Tim Cullen Ed Brinkman
and Paul Casanova in the bottom of the second. Tim Cullen good defensive second baseman has
never been too much in the hitting department. Cullen from the right side waiting as Salomayr
delivers a slider that misses for ball one. Cullen wearing uniform number one he's waiting
the 1-0 pitch a chopper to third Bobby Mercer has this one easily flips over to Pepitone
it's one away that's the kind of action you'd like to see when Mel Salomayr is out there
when those ball players are hitting that ball on the ground then he's sharp that sinker
is moving one away and the batter now is Ed Brinkman. This is another of the youngsters
that manager Ted Williams is concentrating on. Brinkman batted only 187 last year six
feet 170 pounds and he has choked up way off the end of that bat takes a strike right in
there. Brinkman now is going into the pitch more he's choking way up good six or seven
inches off the handle you have to see it to believe it has changed completely he's waiting
Salomayr delivers Brinkman takes low and outside one ball one strike nothing but ones out there
ball one strike one one out Brinkman with uniform number 11 Yankees are leading 2-0 last
to the second. Salomayr ready the 1-1 pitch fouled off on the left side and that'll dribble
into the Yankee dugout. The outfield has pulled in quite a bit with Brinkman up there.
Brinkman came to the Senators way back in 1962. He's waiting the pitch by Salomayr
swung on a missed strike three got him on a curve first strike out of the ballgame for
either pitcher. Two away and the batter now is Paul Casanova and here is another of Ted
Williams youngsters that he'd like to convert into a better hitter. Last year Casanova batted
only 196. Spent part of the year at Buffalo. Paul had some problems with the front office
and that there was a temperament thing going sort of a personality clash. Fine defensive
catcher waiting takes a strike right in there. No balls one strike two outs nobody on Casanova
batting in the number eight spot. Casanova slightly closed stance from the right side
waiting Salomayr delivers a one hopper and Mel has it. He flips over to Pepitone and
Mel gets out of it easily three up and three down. The score after two full innings of
play the Yankees two runs on two hits Senators no runs and one hit. And now more thank yous
from Peel for the folks who've tried their real draft beer. Thank you very much thank
you very very very much thank you very much thank you very very very much. Henry Becker
of Long Island says I found Peel's real draft to be the smoothest most satisfying beer on
the American market. Thank you very very very much. Urban Melton of the Bronx says I just
want to tell you that Peel's is one of the greatest beers that I've tried. It's a draft
beer it's a great beer thank you very very very much. Francis Giambrone of Lindenhurst
says we always have Peel's in the house it's nice and smooth it's delicious we enjoy it.
Why have so many people been convinced that our beer is better than their beer? We think
it's simple Peel's has real draft beer in a can and that's what makes the difference.
Do us a favor try Peel's real draft and when you're convinced let us know so we can say
thank you very very very very much. Camilo Pasquale will go up against the Yankees in
the top of the third inning and he'll be going up against the top of the batting order Horace
Clark, Jerry Kenny and Bobby Mercer all three of whom in the first inning flied out to the
center fielder Dale Unzer. If you just tuned in the Yankees got a couple of runs in the
second when White walked stole second and third and scored on Tommy Tresh's single.
Bill Robinson forced Tresh at second but then Bill stole second base and came home and Jake
Gibbs aligned single to left. So the Yankees are out in front two to nothing. We'll mention
again don't forget April 15th the opening day at Yankee Stadium with Ted Williams and
the Senators going up against the Yankees. We'll have a repeat of this opening day here
in Washington and I hope we have a repeat of the weather. 70 degrees down here spectacular
day. Horace Clark 0 for 1 stepping in there from the left side a switch hitter. Pasquale
ready. Fires there's a chopper to first Epstein will make this one all by himself and does
one away. Now Jerry Kenny is taking his time as he walks up there giving Stottlemeyer a
little rest. Ball players do this in other words Kenny doesn't want to be in there to
be a second out quickly if he makes out. Hardly give your pitcher a chance to get his breath
this way by taking just a little time. Then you give Mel Stottlemeyer a little more time
to breathe. Jerry Kenny who lined the center field in the first inning hit the ball sharply
but right to Dell Hunter is up there and takes a big curve ball high for ball one. Camilo
Pasquale changing speeds a lot. Used to be strictly a fast ball and sharp curve ball
pitcher now he's throwing that big balloon up there every now and then. He's ready the
1 0 pitch to Kenny hit hard to right field I mean real hard way back there it's gone.
Jerry Kenny comes up with a first Yankee home run of 1969 and he hit that. The Yankees out
in front by three. Kenny did not have an outstanding spring but in these last two exhibition games
he has really come to life. Jerry batted only two seventeen that ball jumped out of here.
That was Kenny's second big leg home run as Bobby Mercer steps in there's a slow curve
outside ball one. And then you can hear the fans buzzing on that ball shot out of here
no wind to help it it just boomed out. The 1 0 pitch to Mercer change up is outside two
balls no strikes. Yankees with two in the second one so far in the third lead three
to nothing. The third base hit off Camilo Pasquale that was a big one. Bobby Mercer
left hand hitter also waiting. Pasquale ready the 2 0 delivery is in there two balls one
strike. Manager Ralph Hauck has sent only two right hand hitters into the lineup against
Pasquale Bill Robinson and Stottlemeyer everybody else hitting from the left side. Trash White
and Clark switch hitters Mercer hit the high flight a right field this could go if it's
fair it's way back there and it is a home run. Bobby Mercer into the upper deck. Back
to back home runs by the two youngsters that the Yankees have been touting all spring and
the Yankees now have a four to nothing lead. That is Bobby Mercer's second major league
home run and the bullpen goes into action. That ball went into the upper deck just fair
not more than two feet. First base umpire Hank Soar running down the line made the call.
Bob Humphries right hander warming up for the Senators as Roy White steps up White walk
full second and third and scored a run. Fastball is outside ball one Camilo Pasquale getting
tattooed by back to back homers by Kenny and Mercer. You can hear the fans buzzing this
was supposed to have been a running ball but they showed some punts that time. White takes
outside two balls no strikes and now Sid Hudson is coming out of the Senator dugout to have
a chat with the pitcher Camilo Pasquale. I think a lot of people were sitting here waiting
and hoping it would be Ted Williams. We'll see just how manager Williams handles this
situation when he takes a pitcher out. Many managers will send the coach out to talk to
the pitcher the first go around but on the second time when they want him out they'll
go themselves. Let's see what Ted does if it should come to that. Yankees leading four
to nothing opening day 1969. Roy White with chitter from the left side is waiting two
balls no strikes one out two runs across. Pasquale into the wind out fires the slider
that makes it strike one two balls one strike. The two one pitch by Pasquale White takes
this one low three balls and a strike. Camilo is using that fastball and then changing up
and when he changes up it's very marked. He's pulling the string on both his curve and his
fastball. Three one delivery. Here it comes White waiting hits the chopper to second.
Cullen on the big hop flips in time to Epstein. Two down. Now Joe Pepitone who flied to center
field in the second steps up. Kenny, Mercer, Tresch and Gibbs have all driven in runs.
Kenny and Mercer with back to back homers. Pepitone waiting two out nobody on. Curve
drops in there strike one. They're looking for big things here in the nation's capital
from the new senators. The one strike pitch. Pepe takes this for strike two. They've got
these little stickers that they were handing out all over the place. It's a brand new ball
game. And from the looks of things there are about forty four or five thousand people who
think so. Big crowd. The two strike pitch now to Pepitone it's in the dirt. One ball
in two strikes. Pasquale taking his time. Pepitone standing there swinging the bat.
We're ready to go. Here's the one two delivery by Pasquale and Pepitone takes this one low.
It's in the dirt. It's two and two. Pasquale has been extremely erratic with his breaking
pitches. He's thrown them in the dirt over the heads of the hitters and occasionally and
I mean just that he hasn't had too many strikes with it. He'll get one over the plate but
he's been very high and very low with his breaking stuff. Pasquale ready again. Casanova
flashes the sign. Pepitone waiting. The two two delivery. Curve over Pepitone's head and
there's an example of this erraticness. Pasquale has been down and up and all over the place.
Three balls and two strikes. Tommy Trash on deck. Pay off pitch on the way. Curve ball
hit sharply in the gap in right center. Unzer after it can't get it. Gets by him. Pepitone's
going to go for two and holds on at second base with a double. The Yankees with two home
runs and a double have a runner at second base two down and here comes Sid Hudson once
again and that'll be all for Camilo Pasquale.
Sid Hudson. The ex right hand pitcher for the Senators of many years ago. Now the pitching
coach for Washington will be the man who will make the pitching changes and Bob Humphreys
you may have heard it in the background will be coming on to take up the pitching charge
for Pasquale. Camilo Pasquale gave up five hits and four runs so far. Should Pepitone
score he will be charged to Pasquale. He walked only one batter and did not strike out a man
and that's rather strange in the strikeout department as we mentioned before Camilo Pasquale
is third in the all time list with 2,102 strikeouts. He's behind Jim Bunning who pitches for the
Pittsburgh Pirates. Bunning has 2,493 and Don Drysdale of the Los Angeles Dodgers has
2,462. So Pasquale did not have a strikeout and had a rather rough afternoon particularly
in the second and third innings. Incidentally the Yankees have again provided special days
for their young fans this season you know about those. The first one is going to be
cap day and that'll be Saturday afternoon May the third against the Baltimore Orioles
and there you hear the hand for Camilo Pasquale as he leaves the field. Then it's ball day
on Sunday afternoon May 25th for a doubleheader against the Twins. Finally the biggest of them
all, bat day on Sunday afternoon June 15th against the brand new Seattle Pilots. All
youngsters 14 years of age or under accompanied by an adult receive a free cap ball or bat
at whichever game he attends. Don't forget bat day will be Dad's Day as well. So why
not get an early start on baseball's biggest fun days and pick up your tickets now. Four
dollar box seats and 275 reserve seats can be ordered by mail or in person at the stadium
or in person at any Yankee ticket outlet in the metropolitan area. Bob Humphries has come
on to take up the pitching chores from Camilo Pasquale. Pasquale pitched two and two thirds
innings as we said gave up five hits and so far four runs and could be charged with a
fifth. William Robert Humphries uniform number 23 is not too big five ten hundred and seventy
pounds. Bounced around a lot began his pro career back in 1958. He's been with the St.
Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, the Washington Senators, also the Detroit Tigers. He has
made the rounds made many minor league clubs. Last year Humphries had a record of five and
seven pitched in 56 ballgames. So the right hander facing Tommy Tresh who single in the
first Yankee run on the second inning. Pepitone a second the first pitch to Tommy at the knuckleball
swung on a miss strike one. Humphries who has developed a knuckleball he started last year
has picked up in his pitching precision quite a bit. He didn't have a knuckleball once he
got it he got better. All right Humphries ready again the one strike delivery another knuckleball
hit high at a right field waiting for it is Ed Stroud waiting the ball comes down and
Stroud makes the play. So the Yankees are out of there but they come up with two runs
on two hits the home runs by Kenny and make that three hits. Home run by Kenny Mercer
and a double by Pepitone no Senator errors one man left the score after two and a half
it's the Yankees four and Washington nothing. And now four little words from Peel the draft
beer people thank you very much.
Thank you very much thank you very very very much thank you very much thank you very very
much. Edward Schuman of Plainview Long Island says I've never enjoyed a beer as much as
Peel's this is the finest beer any man could buy. Thank you very very very much. Barry Broth
of Brooklyn says I agree with the other people in your commercials Peel's real draft is the
greatest it tastes like it came out of a cake. Thank you very very very much. Rose Calvert
of Manhattan says I enjoy Peel's real draft better than any beer I've ever tasted it seems
to have real body. I enjoy it. Thank you very very much thank you very very very very very
very very much. In hundreds of towns thousands of people are finding that our beer is better
than their beer. Why? We think it's simple. Peel's has real draft beer in a can and that's
what makes the difference. To all of you who've switched to Peel's whoever you are wherever
you are we say thank you very very very very. Thank you very much. All set to go here in
the bottom of the third inning with the Yankees leading 4 to nothing. Mel Stottlemeyer and
Camilo Pasquale the starting pitchers. Pasquale has been removed. Stottlemeyer still in there
and he's going up against the man who took over for Pasquale Bob Humphries who takes a
curve high for ball one. It'll be Humphries and then the leadoff man Unzer and Stroud.
Humphries waiting as Stottlemeyer fires in there one ball one strike. Mel ready once
again delivers a check swing foul one ball and two strikes. Plays umpire Jim Honachek
Hank Sore at first. Frank Umont second Bill Haller at third and then we've got a young
rookie Ron Luciano who is working out along the left field line getting his feet wet.
Here's the one two pitch Humphries. Bouncer towards third Mercer up with it plenty of
time. Fires to Pepitone one away. Humphries actually lost his bat as he swung at the ball
and while we wait for the leadoff man Unzer to come up there let's pause for station identification.
WHN weather word sunny and mild this afternoon high in the 60s right now at 65 degrees. This
is WHN 1050 New York. Dale Unzer who got the first base hit of the season a sharp single
to center field in the bottom of the first is stepping up against Stottlemeyer. Takes
one right in there for strike one. Yanks leading four to nothing. Mel ready again. Fouled at
the plate by Unzer no balls and two strikes. Now Stottlemeyer hitching up his path a little
bit. Defense in tight Unzer can run. He placed behind Bonson in rookie of the year honors
last year. He's waiting the pitch by Malice. Sliced sharply to left. White coming in can't
get it. It gets by him and took a crazy bounce. Unzer on his way to second and he holds on
with a double. That ball hit in front of Roy White and kicked behind him and White just
ran right by it and couldn't hold on to it. So Unzer is now two for two a single and a
double. He has both senator base hits. Yankees out in front four nothing last half of the
third. Here's Ed Stroud who bounced to second in the first inning. Stroud left hand hitter.
He had one day against the Yankees last season where he had two triples and two doubles.
Hit this one into short left field. Roy White coming on. He got it. A one handed catch.
A rolling catch as White actually lost the ball momentarily. Went back a few steps and
then had to recover and he did with a diving rolling catch and gets a fine hand from the
fans. Oh boy. Two down and here's Frank Howard. Howard that big six foot seven inch giant
260 pound waiting. High fly right field. Bill Robinson drifting in. Glasses down. Fighting
the sun but he's got it. Of course Thottelmeyer gets out of it. No runs on a hit in one left.
And the score after three full innings of play it's the Yankees four runs on five hits the
Senators. No runs on two hits. And now let's listen to Phil Rizzuto with an interesting
question for our manager Ralph Howe. Ralph how about the division that the Yankees are
in. It's definitely the tougher the two divisions and I think that it makes the team up for
more ballgames. They won't be relaxed too much. Phil I feel the same way. I think most
people recognize the fact that we are in the division with Detroit and Baltimore and Boston
and Cleveland. And I don't think this is going to hurt us too much. We might we may not win
quite as many games as you would have in the other division but I think the club will always
be up. I think we realize that we've got the toughest teams to beat and I think the club
will stay up and we're really going into this thing with the idea that we think we can take
it all. I know that's a little far fetched in some points but with the pitching we have
and if these young players can just keep coming and if we get off right where they can get
the confidence and know they can win. It's just hard to say what will happen and we might
really shake some people up. Well it's always hard to say just what will happen Ralph and
what's happened in this ballgame a 40 nothing Yankee lead back to back home runs by Jerry
Kenny and Bobby Mercer. It wasn't until July 7th last year that the Yankees came up with
back to back home runs in a ballgame. I believe that was white and Costco against Baltimore
Yankee Stadium Jerry Coleman's moved over to television to join Phil Rosado on Frank
Messer sitting in with you right now and Bill Robinson is set to lead off as we go to the
top half of the fourth inning here at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium.
Robbie reached on a field his choices first time up Humphreys first pitch to him bounces
about three feet in front of the plate and Casanova goes out toward the mound to talk
to his right hander Robinson after reaching on a field his choice stole second came in
to score on Jake Gibbs base hit the left field that was run number two for the Yankees.
Next pitch to Robinson over but low bounces away from Casanova two balls and no strikes
now to build Jake Gibbs on deck and then Mel Stottlemeyer. Oh what a beautiful day for
baseball here in Washington and we understand a beautiful day in the New York area.
Do nothing pitch coming to the right hand hitting Bill Robinson inside ball three.
Yes sir it's days like this that makes you want to see baseball and Yankee fans will
have their first opportunity a week from tomorrow. It will be the Senators.
Three all pitch from Humphreys over but low ball four and Robinson is on on four pitches.
Second walk given up by Washington pitching the first by Humphreys and here comes Jake
Gibbs. Jake slashed a single to left field his first time up and drove in a run with
it. Yankee runs have been knocked in by Trash Gibbs Kenny and Mercer the latter two on home
runs with Mercer's going to the upper deck in right field Epstein holding against Bill
Robinson the look over there by Humphreys but kick the pitch Robinson goes there's a
high fly ball down the right side racing for the right fielder in the second baseman and
it is caught and now dropped by the second baseman. It's a fair ball the throw to second
base not in time to get Bill Robinson. Cullen got it and dropped it on fire.
I'm by Hank so I said it was in fair territory and now Cullen is putting up quite a beat
on and putting up quite a beef and Ted Williams is on the field. Ted Williams has come out
to protest the call by Hank soar and Harris charged to come out on the play and Ted Williams
has taken the beef right now to Hank soar and they are joined out there by the plate
umpire Jim Honocic. It's an error. Bill Robinson had a good break towards second Gibbs popped
it up in the shallow right down the right field power line Robinson stopped halfway
and when Cullen got to the ball Robinson raced back to first but no sooner had he got back
to the bag than Cullen dropped the ball in fair territory Robinson reversed his field
race to second base and Gibbs is on an error charge to Cullen. Williams gives up the argument
and goes back into the center dugout.
Now the first error of the 1969 baseball season is charged to Tim Cullen the second baseman.
Here is Donald Meyer lined out to Frank Howard and left field he's up there to bunt takes
the bat away and it's a foul ball as it bounces off the end of the bat and rolls to the right
side.
Donald Meyer in the second inning hit the ball right on the nose a line drive out into
left field and Frank Howard made a one hand stretching catch of it going back to the fence.
Epstein down the line from first. McMullen protecting even with a bag at third now comes
in a step the set by Humphreys Epstein charges here's the pitch. Donald Meyer bumps it back
toward the mound picked up by Humphreys throws the third in time for the fourth play at third.
Bill Robinson taking McMullen's feet out from under him as he went sliding in.
The Robinson is out on the fourth play at third Humphreys to McMullen and Robinson went
sliding into McMullen and upended him. They exchanged a couple of words.
Gibbs goes to second. Donald Meyer at first on a fielder's choice and Horace Clark the
batter with one away. Clark is fly the center and grounded out to Epstein unassisted at
first base batting left handed against the right hander Humphreys the set and here's
the pitch to Clark. He takes the first one it's a ball outside. Clark likes to swing
at that first pitch. This one obviously away from him and he let it go. Gibbs away from
second. Stottle Meyer leads at first. Humphreys high stretch goes behind his neck on the
stretch kicks and deals. Clark swings the line went up the middle into center field base
in. Gibbs will try to score on it. Here comes answers throw to the plate. Here comes Gibbs
he slides he saves as the ball is knocked out of Casanova's grip and on the play at
the plate. Stottle Meyer raced on to third and Clark goes to second. They had a play
on Jake Gibbs as answer fired the ball into the plate from center field. Gibbs banged
into Casanova knocked the ball loose and the Yankees lead five to nothing. It is a single
and a run but it in for Horace Clark. He goes to second base on the throw home. The first
hit and first run against Humphreys and in the Senator bullpen right hander Dave Bosman
begins warming up. Jerry Kenny at the plate is one for two is hit a home run over the
right field fence pitches in the dirt dug up nicely by Casanova ball one. For the Clark
with a single and a run about it in he moved to second on the throw home. The wind up in
the pitch low and inside two balls and no strikes as the senators now have the infield
in close. Bob Humphreys who has added a knuckleball to his repertoire pitches takes the sign
with both feet on the slam double pumps kicks and throws fastball is popped up on the left
side power territory McMullen after it over toward the dugout. He has room and he makes
the catch. So there is out number two Bobby Mercer steps in Mercer's at the ball well
twice this afternoon he had a long fly ball to answer in center field to end the first
inning and then he put one where it couldn't be caught on the third in the upper deck here
at Kennedy Memorial Stadium. Mercer is one for two chance to knock in a couple right
now with a base hit or wind up by Humphreys the pitch to a knuckleball is inside handled
nicely by Casanova out in right field at Stroud is back off deep against Mercer the center
field or answer shades a bit toward the alley Howard gives up the foul line and left shortstop
Brinkman almost behind the bag here's the pitch strike is called that Williams was saying
down in Florida he did not think that Mercer would be a full hitter however the senators
are playing him as a full hitter especially on the infield with a shortstop way over toward
second base the pitch to him it is looked out of the right field and it may drop and
it does for a base that gets by Stroud Mercer around second two runs of scored Mercer on
his way to third and he pulls in standing at third the Yankees lead seven to nothing
a single is credited two runs but it in and an error will be charged to Stroud letting
the ball get by him and allowing Mercer to go to third. So Bobby Mercer gets his second
hit of the afternoon and his second and third runs about it in that may be all for Humphrey's
said Hudson the senators pitching coaches on his way to the mound that ball a humpback
line drive it was a loop around in the fairly shallow right and look like Stroud at first
wanted to make a shoestring catch then he tried to play the ball on a short hop and
it skipped by him and that is not unusual this early in the season ballparks have for
the most part been resorted and those balls will take some tricky hops in the outfield
earlier in this game we saw two balls in the outfield take real strange bounces to get
by the fielders that will be all for Humphrey's Dave Bosman will be coming on to pitch now
for the senators so Humphrey's is credited with one full inning he came on to retire
trash for the final out in the top of the third he is retired to man here on the fourth
could have had the side where it not for the air by Cullen on Gibbs fly ball down the right
field line around the upper is our honor the three runs given up by Humphrey's are unearned
and of course should Mercer score it would be an unerner unerred run to Humphrey's has
allowed three runs two hits a walk one and he struck out nobody Dick Bosman now coming
on the pitch for the senators Bosman twenty five year old right hander six three two hundred
five pounds out of Kenosha Wisconsin I recall Bosman he had a good second half of nineteen
sixty seven with the senators or a good late season with the senators he won three and
lost one now that year was with the club all nineteen sixty eight but he only won two and
he lost nine Bosman likes to live a little dangerously at times Bosman likes to live
a little dangerously at times because he bills and drives drag racers got one up to one hundred
eighty seven miles an hour one time now if he could throw a baseball that fast he comes
in with the Yankees leading seven and nothing here on opening day at nineteen sixty nine
this going generation Yankee team given it to go this afternoon they've had three stolen
bases they've been taking the extra base they've hit the long ball and so far I've had fine
pitching from Stottlemeyer Roy White ready to go against Bosman right hander whips the
ball and at it's called strike one as you're just joining us Bosman the third senator Hurley
Miller a squall started then Humphreys looked at third base full wind up by the Husky right
hander the pitch breaking pitch is low dug up nicely by Casanova one ball and one strike
to Roy White Roy walked in the second inning stole second then stole third and scored the
first run of the game in the third inning he grounded out to Cullen at second Mercer
gives him a false start down the line from third stops quickly Bosman staring down to
Casanova Mercer gives him another little jump and now White steps out time is called by
the plate umpire Jim Honigke thanks sword first Frank you modded second Bill Haller
at third and Ron Luciano down the left field foul line pitch is low two balls and a strike
and again Casanova has to dig it out of the dirt and now the Washington catcher requests
time and goes out to the mound McMullen also comes across from third a new look to this
Yankee team this year a bright new look some young faces young bodies but this afternoon
anyway performing like veterans Jerry Kenny and Bobby Mercer after returning from the
service provided a spark in this one certainly with back to back homers in the third Roy
White led the Yankees in just about every category last year waiting for the pitch he
fouls it back off the shin guards of Casanova two balls and two strikes on Roy White
Joe Pepitone is on deck
full wind up by Bosman to two pitch fouled off the right side rolling just over to the
Senator dugout
has fallen over the crowd of some forty four thousand this afternoon here's the two two
pitch the white low and inside gets away from Casanova here comes Mercer he scores
low inside pitch got away from Casanova and Bobby Mercer race calm to make it eight to
nothing
we'll wait for the score is rolling on a wild pitches charge
the run is charged to Humphreys
it is unearned it's an eight to nothing ballgame the wind up three to the white high fly ball
shallow right field the second baseman calling his back under it shading his eyes makes the
catch and the side is retired but the Yankees have scored four runs in the fourth inning
on two base it's two Washington errors and nobody left on base at the end of three and
a half it's the Yankees eight and the Sunniter is nothing and now listen for your name at
field thanks to more fans of their real draft beer
Robert Rappaport of Rockville Center says I think he'lls real draft beer is one of the
finest beers that I've ever had it's terrific
Steve Stillman of Staten Island says I just wanted to say that he'lls real draft beer
is very very good and I want to thank you for putting it up
Bill Gretton of Brooklyn says he'lls real draft is about the best beer I've ever tasted
it's smoother creamier and has greater body
thank you very much thank you very very very very very very very very much
why have so many people been convinced that our beer is better than their beer we think
it's simple he'lls has real draft beer in a can and that's what makes the difference
do us a favor try he'lls real draft and when you're convinced let us know so we can say
to you
thank you very very very
thank you very much
well the Yankees have manufactured an eight to nothing lead now for Mel Stottlemeyer
as we go to the bottom half of the fourth and Stottlemeyer will work to upstain
McMullen and Cullen
President Nixon still in attendance
seated between the owner of the Senators Mr. Bob Short
here's the pitch now to Epstein just outside
Mr. Nixon seated between Mr. Short
and Bud Wilkinson
former football coach at Oklahoma
one old pitch Epstein hits a high fly ball straight away center back goes Kenny
circles to his right he's under it glove up he's got it
Epstein flies out to Jerry Kenny in center one down and the batter will be Ken McMullen
McMullen slapped one back to Stottlemeyer and Mel threw him out to end the first inning
there's a swing and a foul back off the chest protector of Jake Gibbs
no balls and a strike to McMullen
McMullen hit 20 home runs last year second on the club to Frank Howard who led all of Major League Baseball
with 44
a wind up in the pitch to him strike is called
a man owned by the Yankees led all of baseball in Homer's last year
Tony is Solita with 51 including the playoff games
0 2 pitch low and away one ball and two strikes
what I'm nobody on Yankees leading 8 to nothing Stottlemeyer has a two hitter going the pitch
bouncing ball hit toward Clark second baseman scoops it up fires on the Pepitone and plenty of time to get McMullen to away
I'm sure you know that Ted Williams and the Senators furnished the Yankees opposition for the opening series at Yankee Stadium beginning a week from tomorrow
Senators in the afternoons of Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday of next week
and they'll be followed by the world champion Detroit Tigers on Saturday and Sunday
here's the shot at the second baseman Tim Cullen and the first pitch is in there for a call strike
Stottlemeyer with an 8 to nothing lead getting that first pitch right over getting a jump on these hitters
he fires again breaking ball is chopped foul past the third base coach Wayne Terwilliger
no balls two strikes on Cullen
Tim a 230 hitter last year had three home runs 29 runs put it in
right hand batter
bends at the waist chokes up on the bat handle the pitch is high
Gibbs had to stretch for it a ball and two strikes
Yankees playing to the left side pitch on the way line drive left field if it's a fair ball it's trouble it is foul
and there's the first chance for the extra umpire this afternoon Ron Luciano to make a call down that left field foul line
here's a rookie umpire in the American League
he did not leave any doubt he gave it the big motion down there
not holding one and two on Cullen
Stottlemeyer pumps kicks and throws breaking pitches lined out into center field and it's in for a base hit
Kenny charges scoops it up bare handed fires back to second base where Tresh takes the throw
so Cullen is on with the third hit of the afternoon for the Washington Senators
it brings up shortstop Eddie Brinkman
Pete Rose and Bobby Tolan homered for Cincinnati in the first inning and the Reds lead the Dodgers 2-9 at the end of one
Drysdale against Gary Nolan
line drive and it is over Bobby Mercer out into left field
they said on his way to third is Cullen the throw goes to second and safe at second base is Franklin with a double
Roy White fielded that ball and left with the second and Brinkman was saved by an eyelash as Horace Clark applied the tag but just not in time
all the Senators have their fourth hit and the batter will be the catcher Paul Casanova
activity starts in the Washington bullpen right hander Casey Cox
Casanova bounce back to Stoudelmeyer his first time up
full wind up by Mel the pitch is in there for a strike
third time in the game the Senators have had a runner or runners in scoring position
0-1 pitch just a bit inside for a ball one and one
in the first inning the Senators had a runner at second with one out in the third inning they had a runner at second with one out
Stoudelmeyer takes the sign from Gibbs looks over to third base sees Cullen Brinkman at second the pitch popped up foul behind the plate it'll be out of play back onto the screen
one ball to strike out on Paul Casanova
Casanova was the all star catcher couple of years ago
he was voted to the team I don't believe he got into the all star game
think free and call all what was it 15 innings and last year Casanova failed off considerably
fans come alive here at the stadium a wind up in the pitch foul back
keep having a tendency to refer to this beautiful ballpark as the DC Stadium
which was the name of it until this year when it was renamed in honor of the late Robert F. Kennedy
it is now Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
a ball and two strikes on Paul Casanova Stoudelmeyer full wind up the kick here's the pitch ground ball to third Mercer has it
fires on the first in time and the side is retired Mercer throws out Casanova and for the Senators no runs a pair of hits there were no Yankees errors and the runners are left
at the end of four Yankees eight Senators nothing
today is your town appeals draft beer town that it may be in this commercial listen
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thank you very much thank you very very very very very very very much
in hundreds of towns thousands of people are finding that our beer is better than their beer why we think it's simple Peel's has real draft beer in a can and that's what makes the difference
to all of you who've switched appeals whoever you are wherever you are we say thank you very very very very much thank you very much
we're getting ready for the fifth inning but before we do let's pause right now for station identification
and right after today's game join Bill Coderre for more music here on WHN 1050 New York
Joe Papaton, Tom Tresh and Bill Robinson due up on that order as we go to the top of the fifth
Bosman on the hill for the Senators and between every half inning the photographers get up move over in front of the presidential section to snap pictures of President Nixon and his party
here's the pitch to Petty it is low ball one
Papaton fly to center in the second inning then he doubled to right center field in the third
he's facing Bosman for the first time
right hander kicks and fires Papaton pops it up in a shallow center coming hard as answer he's under it now and he's got it
and try to pretty long run for that when he was playing Papaton deep but he got to it so there's one out and Tom fresh the batter
fresh knocked in the first run of the season for the Yankees with a single to right field in the second delivering Roy White from third base
that on the third he fly it out to right fielder Ed Stroud the pitch to trash he takes it low
foul ball bounce back behind the plate evens the count of ball on a strike trash was a doubtful starter up until game time today because he has been suffering from a rather heavy cold and sore throat
had he not been able to play of course Jean Michael would have filled in a short
but he informed manager how he was able
he takes low two balls one strike
Yankees have backup protection at every infield position Michael backs up trash it short Bobby Cox the backup man from Mercer at third
Nate Oliver will back up Clark at second and Len Boehmer will back up Papaton at first
to one pitch coming fresh fouls it away to the seats on the third base side
Michael can also play second so can Cox Boehmer can play all around the infield he's had experience at all four infield positions
and backing up the outfield Dick Simpson and Billy Cowan
the other Yankee catcher and not a backup man by any means as he will share the duties with Gibbs this year as Frank Fernandez
two balls two strikes the pitch to trash bouncer down the first base line fielded by Epstein behind the bag makes the play unassisted and there are two out
you'd have to say the Yankees have a strong bench this year Bill Robinson steps into the plate Robbie has reached twice scored once he reached on a field his choice in the second stole the second base and scored he walked in the fourth bounces a foul back out of play
yes the Yankees have a good bench and should anything happen there to weaken the bench they have some fine young ballplayers will be at Syracuse
no one pitch inside one ball one strike think about the others you have to think of a Tommy Chopay had a very good spring young catcher Thurman Munson Tony Salida Frank Baker the shortstop pitches high to Robinson two balls and a strike
their names to keep in mind they'll I'm sure the action eventually at Yankee Stadium
well quite impressive this spring to one pitch it is a bit low ball three another young man that I think is going to be a good one is that Ronnie Bloomberg he gets a little more experience Jim Lytle another fine young outfielder you think about some of the youngsters in the organization
John Pitcher Robinson golf foul past Howser a third
on a solida we mentioned think about pitchers think of a John Cumberland say a left hander that looks quite impressive was that Gary Jones then he yes he did they're all names to keep in mind
Mickey Scott another All right three to pitch to Robinson swing and a miss strike three.
That is the first strikeout by Washington pitching as the Yankees go down in order and nothing across and at the end of four and a half the score New York eight Washington nothing.
We're talking with Charlie Saddleback All-Star third baseman of the Pony League understand you have some tips for the little leaguers Charlie I've got a tip for batters never better take notes kids but never come up to hit without bringing a bat not your glove but your bat and here's another tip when playing a double header always bring along a couple of sandwiches.
That's it. That's all the tips you have. Yeah. Oh yeah. One more thing for you moms and dads when you go out to hit the old ball around make sure the place you're playing at is within six blocks of a First National City branch. What's that got to do with baseball.
Nothing really but you never know when you're going to need a person alone know what I mean for furniture baseball uniforms doctors or Dennis bills or any worthwhile thing. Is that so. Of course it's so All-Star third baseman don't lie and First National City has over 170 branches throughout New York and Nassau and Westchester.
The next time you need a person alone drop by First National City. Tell them Charlie Saddleback sent you.
We got to the bottom half of the fifth inning pitcher Dick Bosman do to lead off and he will bat. There is no activity in the senator bullpen. There has been no reason for activity at all in the Yankee bullpen with Stottlemeyer in control through the first four.
Bosman is a right hand hitter. He'll be followed by answer and then Stroud
and Stottlemeyer. And the
first pitch it is over but low. He had the outside corner but downstairs
next pitch Mrs. Ball to
the temperature here in the middle to upper 60s. One of the finest opening days I can remember in a long time
and in New York today temperature of 70 we're told to nothing pitch Bosman takes low ball three and Stottlemeyer is way behind on the pitcher Dick Bosman.
There's a strike three and one Yankees have scored their eight runs on seven hits helped along by a couple of senator errors.
Stottlemeyer has allowed four hits two singles and two doubles he winds and he deals and he's got a strike to pull count three and two on Bosman.
Del answer is on deck.
Broward here in excess of forty thousand the pitch swung on and missed a swung at a bad pitch and throws his bat down and discussed that pitch was outside and low and Bosman did for
Mel Stottlemeyer second strike out of the game. Big hand for Del answer he's going to be a favorite here in Washington in this ballgame he's had two hits a single and a double he plays center field like a gray out he moves and he's got a good arm.
He takes a strike over the inside corner this answer last year you may recall participated in 10 double plays and had 22 assists from center field.
He lines this one he's got his third hit on that field a single left for answer his third hit of the ballgame base at number five for Washington and it brings up Ed Stroud the creeper Stroud grounded out the clock in the first and then was robbed of a base set on a diving tumbling
summer solving catch by Roy White in the third.
Oh what a catch quite made on that play.
Donald from the stretch fastball is in strike ball.
Well this drought had quite a day against the Yankees last year at the stadium I can remember a double header and nine trips I think he had a single a double a triple and two home runs.
Next pitch to him.
I'm sure it turns second and now goes back and he can't pick it up but I'm sure had stopped with second.
It's a single for Stroud and the senators have runners at first and second base at number six.
Again this huge crowd comes to life.
Hardest round of the third and fly to right.
Donald Myer looks back checks the outfield defenses. He sees Kenny over toward the alley on the left side. White is deep and left Robinson gives up the foul on and righties and right center and deep swing and a miss by hard strike.
And feel paid to the left fresh midway between second and third Clark squeezed over toward the bag at second the right side of the infield fairly well open.
That's a tell Noah's back and he can move well to his right to the occasion arise.
Donald Myer kicks and deals. Check swing and a strike to no balls two strikes on Howard.
Frank Howard let all the major leagues and homers last year with 44.
Quick now how many do you hit against the Yankees.
He said none you were absolutely right.
He's a great player on the team he did not know where he's going to pitch to him.
Swing and a miss.
Third strikeout for Stroud and Myer.
And there are two down the batter is Mike Epstein who has walked and fly to Kenny and center.
He's telling the outfield that there are two away. Just a reminder the outfield play straight away on Epstein Kenny right up the middle and deep center.
Set by Stottle Myer on the pitch check swing it's all ball one.
The Yankee outfield really does not play Epstein as a strict ball hitter.
Bill Robinson still is well over toward the alley and right center field.
He and Clark playing the same way to draw a straight line between them.
The pitch low inside dug up nicely by Gibbs.
Shot stop fresh is well over towards second base and deep.
But Clark less than halfway between second and first he favors the second base side of the infield.
Set by Stottle Myer to nothing pitch to Epstein inside the knees ball three.
The only walk given up by Stottle Myer was to Epstein in the first inning.
It was a semi intentional walk.
Well that first base open and didn't want to give the left hander too much to swing at with the right hander McMullen following.
There's the set three nothing pitch strike ball caught the outside corner.
Yankees leading eight to nothing in case you're just getting away.
Frank Messer here with Bill Vizzuto and Jerry Coleman in Washington.
The set by Stottle Myer three one pitch line and it's Matt Franks in the left center.
They shift the Senators to score. Roy White's field goes to the second base over Clark's head but Pettitone backs him up with no hander.
And the Senators have scored on a single by Mike and Shane.
A line drive, fresh, dull, forward and couldn't get it.
Fresh made a valiant try to preserve the shutout with close friend, Mel Stottle Myer, but did not quite reach it.
And that is the first run. The Senators have scored on an opening day game since 1966 when Frank Howard hit a home run against Cleveland.
They had been shut out on opening day for twenty five and two third innings.
Lindy McDaniel gets up now in the Yankee ball back.
It's an eight to one ball game.
Estrada now third, Epstein at first.
The batter is Ken McMullen, the third baseman. He has hit back to the mound and grounded a second.
Right hand batter, Pettitone holding against Epstein. The pitch is low, ball one.
Senators now show one run on seven hits. The Yankees have eight runs on seven hits.
Lindy McDaniel begins loosening up in the Yankee bullpen under the watchful eye of bullpen coach Jim Hegan.
Runners at the corners, two down.
Stottle Myer looking down to give, starts his move and the 1-0 pitch to McMullen. It's high and tight, two balls and no strikes.
On deck for the Senators is Tim Cullen, their second baseman.
Third base coach Wayne DeWilliger has a word with the runner, Ed Stroud.
The pitch to the plate, hit on the ground is short. Thresh has it, fires it to Clark. The force is executed. It's second on Epstein and the side retires.
Senators come up with one run on three hits. There were no Yankee errors and two men are left on base.
So now at the end of five full innings of play, the score, the New York Yankees, eight, the Washington Senators one.
Now the Yankees, again in 1969, want to make it just as easy as possible for all their fans to obtain tickets to Yankee home games.
So again this year the Yankees have established numerous ticket outlets throughout the metropolitan area.
There's the stadium, of course, where you can get your tickets by mail or in person.
Or you can stop by the Grand Central Station ticket office.
Any one of the Schrapp's restaurants, 170 branches of the first national city bank.
A ticket reservation systems outlet where you order by computer.
And for the benefit of Yankee fans over in New Jersey, the New Jersey Automobile Club offices in Oro Del, Patterson, and Jersey City.
Guests are all around town throughout New Jersey and Connecticut. Wherever you live, it's just as easy as pie to pick up Yankee tickets.
And we'll see at the stadium a week from tomorrow.
Jake Gibbs is set to lead off as we go to the sixth inning.
Yankees in front, eight to one. Gibbs has had a big part in it. He's batted in a run and he has scored a run.
Single to knock in the second run of the game in the second inning, reached on an error, and scored in the fourth.
Dick Bosman winds and deals. Gibbs looks and a strike called across at the letters.
And the one strike pitch to Jake. Get on the ground to the right side. Cullen digs it off the left ankle, throws on the first base in time.
One out and Stottlemeyer will bat.
Dignitaries galore on hand this afternoon. President Nixon still in his seat.
Stottlemeyer swings and misses, strike one. Baseball commissioner, Boi Kuhn.
American League president, Joe Cronin. Yankee president, Mike Burke, just to mention a few of them.
Senator's owner, Bob Short, of course. 0-1 pitch, swing and a miss by Mell and what appeared to be a sinker, no balls, two strikes.
Stottlemeyer's a batter. His 0-4-2, however, he has reached on a fielder's choice and scored a run.
He had a line drive to left field that was caught over the head by Frank Howard back in the second.
0-2 pitch to him. Swing and a miss, strike three. Dropped by Casanova, Stottlemeyer is tagged at the plate.
Second strikeout for Bosman. Bosman now has retired everybody he has faced since coming out in relief of Humphreys in the fourth.
He's retired six men.
Morris Clark knocked in a run with a single in the fourth inning, later scored run number seven for the Yankees.
The pitch to him, down low, ball one. Clark is one for three.
Looking down the batting order, every Yankee has either had a base hit or scored a run in this game.
Wind up in the pitch, fly ball out on the right center field, chasing Unser back into his left. He's there, makes the catch.
Down under the center fielder, moving back into his left to retire Clark and the Yankees go down in order.
Nothing across and at the end of the top half of the sixth inning, the score, the New York Yankees eighth and the Washington Senators one.
April 14th, a week from today, is a big day for all Yankee fans.
It's the third annual welcome home luncheon held in honor of the Yankees by the Chamber of Commerce.
The grand ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria is the location and the entire Yankee team, including President Michael Burke,
Executive Vice President and General Manager Lee McPhail, and Manager Ralph Halk will be on hand.
Festivities begin at noon and the cost, $12.50 per person, tables of 10 are available for $125.
You can make the scene individually or as a group by contacting the Chamber of Commerce, 65 Liberty Street, New York City.
Mayor John Lindsay is expected to be on hand to roll out the welcome mat for the Yankees and the Yankee family.
And just as last year, a good friend, Joe Garagiola, will be the master of ceremonies.
We have one change for the Yankees as we go to the bottom half of the sixth. Gene Michael replaces Tom Thresh at shortstop.
Michael now at short, replacing Thresh.
Gene Michael at short for the Yankees. Michael.
Now two very important dates to remember. A week from today, the welcome home luncheon in the grand ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria will see you there at noon.
All the Yankees will be there. And then a week from tomorrow, we'll see you at Yankee Stadium. And all the Yankees, you better believe me, will be there.
Here's Tim Cullen to lead off the bottom half of the sixth. He's one for two in the ballgame. Single to center his last time up.
Right-hand hitter takes a strike at the outside corner at the knees.
White plays him fairly deep out in left field. Robinson gives up the foul line and right.
Cherry Kenney in center. To his own right, our left. The pitch.
It's over but low and the count is even a ball and a strike.
Gene Michael at short. So the Yankees have an infield of Mercer, Michael, Clark, and Pepitone.
1-1 pitch. Get on the ground foul toward third and scooped up by Wayne Terwilliger, the twig, they called him in his playing days.
There's a foul ball peeled back on the screen. And the count is a ball and two strikes.
Yankees leading 8-1. Staddlemeyer into the line, kicks and throws. And there's the line drive out into left center.
It's going to drop in for the base hit. Jerry Kenney over to it, scoops it up on the ground, fires into second.
And Tim Cullen has his second hit of the ballgame and for the Senators, base hit number eight.
Now the shortstop, Ed Brinkman.
Casey Cox is up again on the Washington bullpen. Right-hand pitcher.
Brinkman one for two. Takes ball one.
Brinkman struck out in the second, doubled in the fourth.
The pitch to him. Fast ball is low. Two balls and no strikes.
Paul Casanova, the catcher, is on deck.
Then the pitcher, Bosman, would be due and would feel sure a pinch hitter would come out.
There's a ball up high and it's 3-0 now on Brinkman.
3-0 pitch. Strike call.
Stottlemeyer has seen quite a few baserunners behind him today. The Senators have stranded so far seven men through five innings.
Now ready. 3-1 pitch. Strike two call. Bell high on the inside corner.
Only in the second inning did Stottlemeyer get the side in order when he retired Cullen, Brinkman, and Casanova.
A pair of ground balls and a strikeout.
3-2 pitch. Lined out on the right center. It's going to be in for a base hit. Bill Robinson cuts it off quickly.
Fires back and Cullen holds it second. Brinkman has his second hit of the ballgame.
And for Washington it is hit number nine.
And now we have time called. Centerfielder Jerry Kenney comes in toward the Yankee dugout.
Jake Gibbs at the mound talking to Stottlemeyer.
Gary Holman has come out on deck for the Senators.
Jerry Kenney running in from centerfield has disappeared into the Yankee dugout. Now he reappears and on the dead run heads back toward centerfield.
While we have a moment let's pause right now. This is New York Yankee baseball and we pause for station identification.
It's going to be WHN Weatherword sunny and mild this afternoon, high in the mid-60s and right now it's 65 degrees. WHN 1050 New York.
We're ready to go. Runners at first and second nobody out. Casanova waiting. Stottlemeyer off the stretch. Here's the pitch. He misses. Ball one.
Five of the Senators nine hits have now come in the last two innings. They got three hits and a run in the fifth.
Set by Stottlemeyer dealing to Casanova. There's a long drive down the left side. However it is fading it is foul.
Lindy McDaniel throwing again on the Yankee bullpen. Casey Cox warming up on the Senator bullpen and Gary Holman first baseman and outfielder has come out on deck to bat for Bosman.
Stottlemeyer takes the sign from Gibbs. Cullinan-Brenkman laid away and the pitch. High pop foul. Gibbs coming back toward the screen. He's got room. He is under it and he's got it.
And that's all for Casanova as he fouls out to catcher Jake Gibbs one down. And we'll have Gary Holman batting for Bosman.
Your attention please ladies and gentlemen. Batting for Bosman, number five, Gary Holman.
Holman was a fine pinch hitter for the Senators last year. As a pinch hitter he batted 344 with 11 hits and 32 trips.
Left hand hitter. Good first baseman too. He swings to the first one sends a long drive to left. White throws over and White has it. Roy White coasted right with it moving toward the corner and pulled it in.
So Holman first ball hitting is retired. And there's that hand again for Del Unter who is three for three.
Two singles and a double for Unter. He scored the only run for Washington. He's up with runners at first and second, two outs, and the pitch is just off the outside. Corner ball one.
Phil Rossito waiting in the wings right now to come in and describe the final three innings for you. One old pitch on the way. It is low this time to the left hand hitting Del Unter.
Unter bats and throws left handed. He chokes up about two or three inches on the bat handle now waiting. Two old pitch. Swung on and Luke Powell to the seats off the third base side.
Two balls and a strike.
Like to say hello to all our friends up Albany New York way. And there's fine time up there in the Yankee Caravan this past winter.
They really treated us nice and we appreciate it. Two on pitch now to Unter. It is a ball three, three and one.
Column at second. Brinkman at first. Two outs. The set by Stottlemeyer on the pitch. Get on the ground towards Clark. He's got it. Flips it to Michael. Force play at second on Brinkman and the side is retired.
So, Unter is retired for the first time in this game and for the Senators in the bottom half of the sixth inning. No runs despite two base hits.
There were no Yankee errors and two men are left on. At the end of six full innings to score the Yankees eight and the Senators one.
Totals on this ball game right now. For the Yankees eight runs, seven hits no errors and for the Senators one run, nine hits and two errors.
The Senators have had the opportunity as they have left so far nine men on base. The Yankees have left two on base.
Pasquale started for the Senators gave up four runs on five hits. Humphries gave up four runs on two hits.
Stottlemeyer has allowed the Senators one run on nine hits. Mel has struck out three and he has walked one.
Right-hander Casey Cox will be the new pitcher and looking quickly at the scoreboard the Dodgers have moved in front of the Reds.
The Reds two at the end of two and a half. Don Drysdale pitching for LA. Gary Nolan for Cincinnati. Cincinnati got a two run lead in the first inning on home runs by Pete Rose and Bobby Tolan.
But now the Dodgers have come back with one in the second and two in the third for a three to two lead.
San Francisco plays in Atlanta tonight and those are the only other games scheduled on this opening day.
Well through six the Yankees leading eight to one and we're going to slip away and make room right now for the Scooter.
We'll be in here to tell you all about the rest of this one. So let me slip out and Phil Rossitto you ready to go to work here Ben?
All set Frank and everything has been turning out beautifully for the New York Yankees today.
Opening day and get off to a eight nothing lead. They lead now eight to one. Senators scored in the fifth inning.
But the Yankees have shown what we've been telling you all spring with their hustle their speed on the bases.
And a little surprising the long ball from two fellows you know really expected from Jerry Kenny and Bobby Mercer who had back to back home runs in the third inning.
Bobby Mercer also single in the fourth and has driven in three runs for the Yankees today.
Joseph Casey Cox he likes to go by the nickname of Casey. He's a big fella six feet five inches tall 200 pounds.
And he'll be pitching the Jerry Kenny. Jerry lined hard to center field his first time up.
Lined a homer into the right field bleaches against the scoreboard actually not in the bleaches and then popped a third base in the fourth inning.
Dawn shining brightly we couldn't ask for a better day today in the nation's capital full house.
Casey Cox the first pitch to Kenny is low ball one. Ken McMullen playing very shallow at third base.
So is Brinkman at shortstop Kenny with that good speed pitch by Cox sits outside in high ball two.
Two and all.
President Nixon still here at the ballgame.
The two oh pitchers line a left field for a base hit that's going to be a double at least Kenny around first look at him go Frank Howard up with the ball and Kenny is in with a stand up double.
Man Jerry Kenny went with that pitch something we've seen both teams do today getting those opposite field base hits.
So Jerry gets his second base hit of the ballgame.
First hit off Cox and for the Yankees their eighth base hit of the ballgame.
Here's Bobby Mercer fly to center hit a long home run in the upper deck in the third and singular right to drive in two more in the fourth.
The pitch is low and inside ball one.
One of those games the Yankees took advantage of their base that's a couple of miscues by the senators.
They have eight runs on eight hits the senators actually out hitting the Yankees nine to eight but the senators have managed to pick up only one run.
The pitch to Mercer line a right field but foul he got around on a high curveball.
Yankees have three stolen bases in the ballgame Roy White stole second and third in the second inning and then Bill Robinson stole second base in the second inning both of them coming around to score.
On deck is Roy White.
Stretch by Casey Cox.
His pitch is fouled or left and out of play.
Just below the battery of cameraman we have in the booth next to us.
Boy I tell you they really got him.
He got them all over the ballpark Vince Lombardi is here today.
He's always been a great baseball fan.
And when he was mentioned as a possible candidate for commissioner of baseball he was very excited.
The pitch swing and a miss he went after a high outside curveball.
So Bobby Mercer is struck out.
And the batter now Roy White Roy over to walk in the second bounce the second and the third and popped his second in the fourth.
Outfield straight away on Roy batting left handed against the right hander Casey Cox on deck Joe Pepitone.
Kenny leads away. Here's the stretch.
The pitch swing and a foul over by the center to dugout strike one.
Secret servicemen all over this ballpark.
That one secret service man has not seen one play in the ballgame. He's sitting right in back of the center to dugout with his back to the field.
Just scouting the stands.
Keeping an eye out.
Cox ready again.
The pitch low and outside one on one.
They are taking no chances. I was down the field before the game started walking around didn't have my field card out.
The big red card and I had a hand put on my arm by a secret service man said let me see your card please.
And I whipped it out in a hurry.
Outside two balls in a strike.
Yankees eight senators one top of the seven.
Also plays deep center field.
Here at the stadium.
Stretched by Cox his pitches foul down the left field line that'll go into the seat and out of play.
Well back in the crowd.
Count is even on Roy White 2 and 2.
Yankees have an off day tomorrow before resuming activities with Washington Wednesday night.
And then again Thursday afternoon.
All right Cox gets the sign from Casanova.
Checked Kenny at second base.
Kicks delivers is fouled again almost in the same spot.
Then the crowd down the left field line.
It's a beautiful ballpark. Robert Kennedy Memorial Stadium as they renamed it used to be D.C. Stadium.
Completely encircled by stands win never a factor in this ballpark.
Why the balls travel so well here.
Right Cox ready again.
Is to to pitch is foul to our left and out of play.
Roy is just slapping at that ball with two strikes on him he's trying to protect the plate.
I'm sure you heard that but if you didn't forty five thousand one hundred and thirteen.
Largest crowd ever to see an opening game in Washington D.C. and the magic names of President Nixon Ted Williams.
Help bring that crowd here. Swing and a miss he struck him out on a low sinker.
So Casey Cox after giving up and lead off double to Jerry Kenny has struck out Bobby Mercer and Roy White and here's Pepper Town.
Joe fly to center in the second double a right center in the third and fly to center in the fifth.
Two men are out.
All right you heard that announcement in the background.
The pitch by Cox is low and inside ball one.
On deck Gene Michael who went in to replace Tommy Trash.
As you heard Tommy had been feeling terrible.
He did not play in yesterday's game against the Giants.
He was a doubtful starter today but he didn't drove in the first run of the ballgame.
Pitch to Pepe pop foul might be playable Mike Epstein over in front of the center to dugout makes the catch in foul territory.
So for the Yankees no runs on a base hit there were no errors in a man left and the score now at the end of six and a half innings the Yankees eight and the senators one.
Well a reminder that the 1969 edition of the world champion Detroit Tigers will hit New York for a big three game series at the stadium.
I'm sure you won't want to miss Danny McLean Mickey Lovett Willie Horton Al Kalin and company will be in for a Saturday afternoon ladies day.
On April the 19th and then a big Sunday doubleheader on April the 20th.
So why don't you start planning now for a select seating and keep in mind the Tigers will not be in town again until mid June.
And if you remember one stretch last year the Yankees took four in a row from the Tigers.
Four dollar box seats and two dollars seventy five cent reserve seats can be ordered by mail at Yankee Stadium or in person at the stadium.
Also at Grand Central Station and that all Yankee ticket outlets in the metropolitan area.
So a word to the wise.
Get your tickets now.
Mel Sattelmeyer will be pitching the edge crowd Frank Howard and Mike Epstein here in the bottom of the seventh the Yankees leading eight to one.
All the teams will have the little emblem on their left sleeve signifying the centennial year of baseball 100 years.
The umpires I noticed are wearing them on their right sleeve just to be a little different.
We have five umpires in today's game one down the left field line.
The first pitch head Stroud is strike one call Stroud has bounced the second fly to left field where Roy White made a spectacular diving tumbling one hand catch
and in single a center pitch one down the left field line.
Roy White starts and goes back on the warning track back makes the catch right against the fence.
Couldn't go back another inch crowd laid the wood for that one almost had himself an opposite field home run.
Roy White though playing it very well leaned against the fence to make the catch and it's one away and he is Frank Howard.
Crowd getting on Howard a little bit he struck out in the fifth inning with two men on and the third inning fly to right in the first inning bounce to Bobby Mercer at third.
That'll my pitch is a curve over strike one call.
Wayne to will get a coach at third is coaching in short left field with Frank Howard up there and you can't blame him.
That's swing and a miss at a low curve strike to Howard wanted to lay off that but started the bat and couldn't stop it.
That'll Meyer has had four shaky innings the first inning the fourth inning the fifth inning in the sixth inning but he's managed to wiggle his way out.
Low at the sink at that time a ball and two strikes one out nobody on eight to one the Yankees lead bottom of the seventh.
In field deep outfield deep just about see Jerry Kenny and deep left center field low with the sinker again even the count of two and two.
Fans in the sunshine really enjoying this shirt sleeve weather side on curve bounce to short Michael is there up with it.
Why is the first in time Frank Howard's retired and it's two away.
That brings up Mike Epstein who has driven in the only run for the senators with a single left center field in the fifth inning.
Also fly to center and walk. So Mike is one for two.
Two men out nobody on Stoudelmeyer's pitch is low ball one on deck Ken McMullen.
The curve swing and a miss strike one one on one. Mike was swinging for the fences on that one.
They play Epstein just about straight away.
Give him a lot of room down the right field and left field line curve bounce foul down the right field line a ball and two strikes.
Kind of unusual the way they bunch Epstein toward center field left hand batter Bill Robinson is well over in right center and Roy White well over in left center.
And as a bouncer to Stoudelmeyer he one handed easy toss the pepper tone for the out and Stoudelmeyer has a one two three inning.
And now at the end of seven full innings at the Yankees eighth the senators one.
We're talking today with Charlie pinch Benny the cheapest man in baseball.
Charlie's the man who discovered a way of making one baseball last through an entire season.
Can you tell us about it Charlie. Sure.
I took a three hundred foot rope see tied one end or steel screw I put in the baseball.
And the other end I tied around my pitchers arm so when a ball was hit into the stands or even out of the park the pitcher could just reel it in like a big fish.
Oh and it worked. Well it was going fine.
So one day my ace right hander Sammy sitter threw a change up the hard luck Yankee Yankee really teed off.
He hit that ball over five hundred feet but the rope was only three hundred feet.
Yeah. What happened to your right hander Sammy.
We call him lefty now of course there's always new ways to say like with a passbook savings account at First National City Bank.
See they figure the interest from the day you put the money in till the day you take it out.
So if you're always putting money in or taking it out you could earn more than in an account where they pay the interest only on the money you got in there at the end of each quarter.
Believe me that means a lot to a cheap guy like me. I suppose so. Thank you Charlie.
All righty. For the top of the eighth inning Yankees leading 8 to 1 in the opening game of the season.
Gene Michael up for his first time as we told you he's filling in for Tommy Trash.
Tommy's been up three times with one base hit.
Gene a switch hit a batting left handed Casey Cox the fourth center to pitcher in the afternoon delivers a pop up to the left side the third baseman McMullen right there makes the catch and it's one away.
So Michael first ball swinging pops out the third that'll bring up Bill Robinson.
Bill bounce into a force play walk and struck out he has stolen a base and scored a run in this game.
Yankees have three stolen bases.
Cox into the wind up his pitches inside ball one.
Both bullpen are heating up plenty of action two pitches in each bullpen.
Don not abide Joe for Banner got for the Yankees.
Robbie takes a pitch outside ball to two and oh I got a left hander throwing easily in the center of both and Frank for Tana.
The pitch is right down the middle strike call Casey Cox is scheduled to be the fifth hitter next inning and said Williams figures if they get some men on he'll pinch hit for the pitcher.
The two one delivery strike two call two and two.
Robbie took two fastballs right down the pipe on deck Jake give
the two to pitch a bounce has slowly hit the short break them will have to hurry up with it by the first in time to get Robinson by his stride.
Two away and it brings up gives Jake single left in the second inning we start an error in the fourth and bounce the second base in the second.
Two out nobody on Yankees eight senators one top of the eight and that's open tomorrow against the new Montreal Expos at Shea Stadium.
Jake takes a strike.
Oh a pitch missed everybody hit the screen one on one at the end of three and a half innings now at the Dodgers three and the Cincinnati Reds to Drysdale against Nolan Pete Rose and Bob Tolan home and in the first inning for Cincinnati.
One one delivery slow curve high ball to two and one. A reminder don't forget the big welcome home luncheon for the Yankees at the grand ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria on Monday April 14th Joe Garagiola will be the emcee.
Mayor Lindsey will be there Mike Berg all the Yankees and Ted Williams and as a base hit over third down the left field line that'll be a double forget and Jake round second and then holds on as how it's broken in a third base beautiful throw by the big man from the
defense and deep left field right the third on a fly so good going to the opposite field doubles the second hit off Casey Cox and a lot of opposite field base hits in this game and I think the hitters are getting a little smart now they've been swinging for their
toes for those home runs and the averages have been dwindling and now they're going with the pitch and as you can see each team is nine base hit here's Stoudelmeyer Mel Linder left bonded into a fourth playing struck out.
Two men are out Gibbs at second the pitch to Stoudelmeyer outside ball one.
RS Clark on deck.
Again the right hand already pitches over a strike called
ready for the one one pitch swinging a foul back upstairs out of play.
And in the upper deck had a draft that it went down below.
Somebody gave President Nixon a glove and every once in a while he puts it on.
He's been happy as a young boy watching this ballgame smiling talking everybody really having a picnic.
I wanted to on Mel the pitch is low and outside even the counter to and to
Jake Gibbs good size lead off second base they're not trying to hold them too close.
Ready for the two to pitch foul back upstairs out of play.
Mel just trying to chop at that ball.
Yankees are going to have a real interesting team this year.
They keep getting the good pitching with the speed they've got.
Make a lot of teams worry.
Again the two to pitch low and outside it's a full count.
Dick Hauser coaching at third Elston Howard at first.
Cock shakes off one time.
Now he's got the one he likes checks gives it second his pitch low ball for
Stottle Myer works his way on with a base on balls.
That's first war given up by Casey Cox and it brings up Harris clock Harris one for
boys fly to center twice bounce the first single to center has driven in a run and scored a run.
Stottle Myer putting on the jacket as the shadows start to creep across the field.
Beautiful ball pockets 335 down each line 378 and right center 381 and left center and 410 to straight away center.
Tremendous long scoreboard runs from the right field foul line almost out to center field.
Runners at first and second two out pitch to Clark low ball one on deck Jerry Kenny.
Runners lead off first and second.
Cox delivers hits as bad as he tries to check and right into the stands and boy I'd hit a kid right in the hands.
He was just getting ready.
It looked like to take a picture didn't have time but he's lucky that it hit him in the hand.
He's got a camera never hit the camera.
That could have been dangerous had he had the camera up to his face because he's wearing glasses and now he's got the camera set right at the hitter.
Shaking that left hand the pitch is high ball to two and one.
Usher goes down to find out if he's all right and he is.
You got to be on your toes when you're sitting in those box seats down around the railing.
Was accidental foul come back like a bullet.
The 2 1 pitch strike call 2 and 2.
Two balls two strikes two out two men on 8 to 1 the Yankees lead top of the eight.
Block digging in at the plate.
Stretched by Cox his pitch swing and a miss he struck him out.
And that strikeout number three for Casey Cox for the Yankees no runs one base hit no errors and two men left.
And the score now at the end of seven and a half the Yankees eight the Senators one.
You know there's something fine going on at all participating Atlantic stations and the response has been just great.
We mean the fine China that participating Atlantic dealers now have available.
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We get ready for the bottom of the eighth inning but before the eighth inning starts right now let's pause for station identification.
Now the WHN weather word fair and mild tonight the low will be in the mid 40s tomorrow fair and seasonal temperature right now 67 degrees WHN 1050 New York.
Ken McMullen leads it off for Washington as they trail eight to one here in the bottom of the eighth.
McMullen hope for three hits to the box bounce the second and bounce the short.
Mel Stoudelmeyer has been in there all the way.
His curve is over strike call.
Stoudelmeyer rocks back curve bounce the third base foul Bobby Mercer up with it throws to first would have been in plenty of time but it's a foul ball McMullen comes back.
Fans are having a lot of fun at this game and we want to remind you fans not to forget the big fun days at Yankee Stadium this season.
There is cap day on May the third ball day on May 25th and back day on June 15 three real big fun days at the stadium.
Oh and two on McMullen pitches in their strike three called McMullen caught looking Stoudelmeyer picks up his fourth strike out of the ballgame and the batter Tim Cullen Cullen's two for three bounce the third and a second and then single the center in the fourth and sixth inning.
Cullen takes a pitch low ball one.
That'll Meyer has had only two innings in where he's retired the senators one two three.
That was the second inning and last inning the seventh is pitches line a left field a base hit Cullen third base hit of the ballgame.
He announced and now have three hits a piece.
And that's the tenth hit off Mel Stoudelmeyer.
Here's Ed Brinkman who has two base hit struck out in the second double a left in the fourth single to right center field in the six.
Pepper town whistling to Stoudelmeyer not holding calling too close to first base.
Stretch by Stoudelmeyer.
The pitch is low ball one.
Cullen has three base hits.
Cullen has three base hits Brinkman has two and all three of those hitters choke well up on the bat.
Just meeting that ball.
The one all pitch is a curve over strike called one on one.
On deck the catcher Paul Casanova.
Cullen leads away.
Stoudelmeyer delivers ground ball hit slowly to second.
Clark has to go to first base in time to get Brinkman moving the second base is Cullen.
And that ball was hit right off the end of the bat had a lot of English on it was really twisted and squirming.
But Clark stayed with it.
Here's Casanova all for three hit to the box bounce the third foul to the catcher.
Two out and Tim Cullen at second base the Yankees leading eight one where in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Right hand hitting Paul Casanova.
Stretch by Stoudelmeyer the pitch is high inside ball one on deck Bernie Allen.
Left hand hitting second baseman.
Swing in the bat Casey Cox is scheduled to be the next batter.
Stoudelmeyer's next pitch is hit deep to left field way back and foul well over the fence.
In left field ball hit about three hundred and sixty feet but just foul just missed hitting the foul ball as it went by it.
A long strike and it's one on one on Casanova.
Oh Paul has to come back do it all over again.
Two men are out Tim Cullen at second base.
Stretch by Stoudelmeyer pitch swing and a miss at a high breaking pitcher ball and two strikes.
Mel looks in for the sign from Jake Gibb.
Here's the stretch.
The pitch lined up the middle as a base hit it's going to score a run.
Cullen runs third he comes in to score and it's an eight to two ball game as Casanova drilled one up the middle.
And the batter now Bernie Allen.
Pinch hitting for Casey Cox.
Allen the left hand better.
Eleven hits now for the senators only two runs.
Yankees have nine hits and eight runs.
The stretch the pitch right down the middle strike call.
Frank for 10 of the left hander loosening up for the senators and Lindy McDaniel in the Yankee bullpen.
Pitch is bounced foul Nellie Fox to his left has it.
Oh and to the count.
Nellie flips it to Pepperton who fires it back to Stoudelmeyer on deck Dell answer.
Casanova leads off first pitch is lined a base hit the right field.
Stopping at second base Casanova and that's the 12th hit on the Washington senators.
Bernie Allen coming through with a pinch hit single and here's that dangerous man Dell answer.
Answer a single a center double a left and single a left.
He's also bounced the second base.
Little left hand batter.
Still base it kind of games that Eddie Lopat used to pitch for the Yankees.
A lot of base hits very very few runs.
Stretched by Stoudelmeyer pitch bounce at a second base clock right there.
Big hop left to Pepperton in time and the senators in the bottom of the eighth pick up a run on three base hits.
No Yankee errors two men left and the score at the end of eight full innings the Yankees eighth and the senators to.
Well the Yankees are making available to you fans official 1969 Yankee schedule.
What you have to do to get them is write the ticket department Yankee Stadium Bronx New York for your free schedule to keep you appraised of Yankee doings at home and on the road throughout the season.
And a new service Yankee fans from Long Island Express bus service will be available for Friday Saturday and Sunday game buses will leave two hours before game time from the Walt Whitman shopping center in South Huntington the Mid Island Plaza in Hicksville and the Roosevelt Field shopping center in Garden City.
And another reminder the buses will leave the stadium one half hour after the game is completed.
Well we're going to have a new pitcher coming on for the Washington Senators.
And for the Yankees it'll be Jerry Kenny Bob Mercer and Roy White.
The face who's ever coming in.
Bernie Allen who pinchhead remains in the game at third base.
Bernie Allen third and Dennis Higgins is coming in to do the pitching.
So do Frank Bertana had been doing most of the loosening up and then Dennis Higgins got up and he's coming in.
It's the fifth pitcher for Washington.
Camillo Pasquale started Bob Humphreys came on Dick Bosman Casey Cox and now Dennis Higgins.
So Jerry Kenny who has lined the center lined a home run over the right field fence popped a third and double a left field.
Well lead it off at the end of five innings is still the Dodgers three and the Reds to Drysdale against Nolan Pete Rose and Bobby Tolan home in the first inning for Cincinnati.
But then the Dodgers scored one in the second and two in the third.
The Giants play Atlanta tonight and along with this game the Yankees and the Senators the only game scheduled for today.
Well let's see what's happening here.
President Nixon is standing up.
I don't know whether he's leaving or not.
Mr. Short is standing up calling Mrs. Short over and they have seven children the Shorts and Mr. Short is the owner of the Washington Senators.
He's bringing his family over to meet President Nixon and this will be a thrill.
Yeah they go trace being over the first place to Jerry Kenny is ball one from Dennis Higgins.
Yankees lead eight to top of the ninth.
The pitch is outside ball two.
And I'm informed it's traipsing over not trace being over.
The 2 0 delivery line of center field right there is on to the thinks and he makes the catch for that Kenny has hit the ball right on the button four times today.
Four of the five times the other time he popped the third and has two base hits to show but he has been hitting the ball solidly.
Here's Bobby Mercer's two for four.
Bobby fly to center home it in the upper deck and right field single right to drive in two more in the fourth and struck out in the seventh.
Strike one Bobby Roy White on deck.
Higgins with the no wind up delivery swing and a miss at a fastball strike to Higgins taking no time out on the mound.
Rocks back the pitch is high ball one.
One out nobody on where in the ninth inning.
By Higgins a curve over strike three called Mercer is caught looking at a beautiful curve ball.
Roy walk bounce the second pop the second and struck out.
Yankees lead eight to.
Capitone on deck.
Pitch by Higgins is low and outside ball one.
Higgins rocked back kicks delivers a foul just below it.
One on one.
Here's the wind up the pitch is low ball to two months to out nobody on.
Higgins ready low with the fastball is three and one.
That's an over fire that ball back this pitches got to be alert.
Roy White choking up on the bat slightly batting left handed against Dennis Higgins.
Here's the three one pitch foul over towards the center the dugout full count.
Elton Howard chasing it down.
Good to see Ellie back in the Yankee uniform coaching at first Dick Hauser of course the coach of third.
Frank Crisetti will see him when Seattle comes into town.
Now the payoff pitch ground ball hit the short.
Brinkman has it.
Fires in time to get Roy White.
So the Yankees are down in order here in the top of the ninth inning.
And at the end of eight and a half inning the Yankees eight the Senators two.
There's a lot of big days this year but April 14th is a big day for Yankee fans.
It's the third annual welcome home luncheon held in honor of the Yankees by the Chamber of Commerce.
The grand ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria is where it's at.
And the entire Yankee team including Michael Burke Lee McPhail and Ralph Hough will be on hand.
Joe Garagiola will be the emcee festivities begin at 12 noon and the cost twelve dollars and fifty cents per person.
And tables at 10 are available at one hundred and twenty five dollars.
Now you can make the scene individually or as a group by contacting the Chamber of Commerce.
Sixty five Liberty that's sixty five Liberty Street New York City by mail or in person.
Mayor John Lindsay will be on hand to roll out the welcome mat and Ted Williams will be our special guest of honor that day.
So we go into the bottom of the ninth.
Staddle Meyer has Ed Stroud Frank Howard and Mike Epstein to cope with with the Yankees leading eight to two.
Lindy McDaniel continues to throw in the Yankee bullpen and Frank Bettina the left hander in the center of both ends.
Ed Stroud one for four on the day bounce the second fly to left single center and then fly to left again.
Pitch to Stroud a curve inside ball one all the cameraman popping out of the center to dugout again ready to take pictures.
President Nixon making his exit as a strike to Stroud one on one.
I know he still has Sunday but I you weren't listening I said they're getting ready to take his picture when he makes his exit bouncing ball in the hole base hit the left field.
That's the 13th hit by the senator and now Frank Howard getting kind of a rough treatment from the fan here he's over for bounce the third fly to right struck out and bounce to shore.
That'll my stretches pitch to how it's swing and a miss strike one big fella doesn't have to swing hard to hit him out of the park.
Gene Michael wanted to say something to Horace Clark Horace ran over got the words of wisdom runs back.
Stroud at first with nobody on the bottom of the ninth Yankees lead eight to.
That'll my assets his pitches long away one on one.
Mike Epstein on deck.
There's a stretch pitches hit deep the center that one guy a line drive over the center field.
Oh holy god he hit that one.
He picked on a low thinker that ball didn't get over 10 feet high all the way out.
Penny went back to the wall couldn't reach it.
It hit the center field wall a line drive home run for the big man and he has suddenly changed those boosters here.
He's got a big renovation for a big Frank Howard on his father home run ball as you'll ever see a low line drive.
That's the kind they talk about that Babe Ruth supposedly hit a line drive went through the pitches legs and by the time it stopped rising it was over the fence.
But that one could almost have done it.
What a shot that was.
That's a four ball game 14 hits now the better Mike Epstein who is one for three a walk in a single foul down the third base line one on one.
Just was saying before how it hit that one it doesn't have to swing hard to hit him out of here and he got the low thinker I'm telling you you don't see him hit any harder than that.
8 4 the Yankees lead nobody out here in the bottom of the ninth that'll my pitch bouncing ball in the hole.
Pepperton one handed throws the start of my end time on a good play by Pepperton and Stottlemeyer as they take a base hit away from Mike Epstein.
And if that one had gone through I'm afraid that might have been all for Mel Stottlemeyer.
And now we're going to have a pinch hitter for the pitcher.
Dennis Higgins looks like Hank Allen coming up Hank Allen batting for Dennis Higgins.
Hank had himself a fine spring.
Matter of fact Hank caught the ball that President Nixon threw out the first one that he threw out he eventually threw out two more.
There's a pitch low ball one Hank a right hand batter like his brother Richie Allen of the field.
He's bigger and stronger than his brother Richie but he doesn't hit like it's got a bouncing ball a second clock it's the big hop throws the first in time and it's two away.
Two out nobody on about a Tim Cullen who is three for four he bounced the third in the second inning then had three straight singles his next three times up twice the center one to left.
The pitch is strike one a Tim Cullen.
Stottlemeyer's next pitch is below one to one to out nobody on eight to four the Yankees lead.
Well I said it he's center of fan shouldn't be too disappointed even though they trailing eight to four file back one ball two strikes.
Their team has come up with 14 base hits that's an indication that they've learned something from Ted Williams.
And if they hit like this all year they're going to win a lot of ballgames.
And by the same token the Yankee fans should take heart making their hits count curve is low even the count of two and two get nine hits and eight runs you're really hitting in the clutch.
Two balls two strikes two out.
Pitch by Stottlemeyer just outside man that was close I don't know he laid off that one.
Full count on Tim Cullen here's the payoff pitch low ball for Stottlemeyer gives up only his second walk of the ballgame his first walk was in the first inning to Mike Epstein.
And this is only the second man he's walked and Mel is very fortunate that he did not walk too many with all the base hit that he has allowed his Eddie Brinkman who's two for four a single and a double he's also struck out and bounce the second.
Stottlemeyer pitch low ball one on deck Paul Casanova.
Well Stottlemeyer really struggling in this ballgame he said his pitch is over a strike called one on one.
Mel ready again delivers low and away nice play by Jake Gibbs saved a wild pitch two balls in a strike.
Now it looks like Mel is forcing his pitches a little bit.
Remember this is the first time he well he did pitch in a B squad game I think when nine innings but he only threw one hundred and ten pitches he's thrown many more than that today there's a pitch low ball three three and one.
Stottlemeyer would like to stay and get a complete game Ralph Hoppe would like to see him stay in and get a complete game but anything can happen in a ballgame.
The key man for Stottlemeyer the 3 1 delivery right down the middle strike to three and two two out.
Cullen will be off and running and we'll have the payoff pitch coming up Teddy Brinkman.
I had Mel looks in for the sign here's the stretch.
The runner goes the pitches hit deep to left center field Roy White back there he's there makes the catch.
That ends the ballgame but the senators pick up two runs on two hits no Yankee errors a man left and the final score of the game the Yankees eight the senators for here the total for the Yankees eight runs on just nine hits no errors for Washington four runs 14 hits to
Mel Stottlemeyer the winning pitcher he's one and all in the air. This is his third straight opening day win Camillo Pasquale the loser Camillo 0 and 1 naturally for the Yankees in the second inning a walk to Roy White to stolen bases by Roy White by the way
stole second and third scored on Tommy Treasurer single Bill Robinson then bounced into a fourth place stole second and scored on a single by Jake Gibbs they scored two more on the third on back to back homers by Jerry Kenny and Bobby Mercer scored four times in the fourth inning with the help of two errors and a single by Mercer to drive in two more runs was a big blow and that was all the scoring for the Yankees.
The senators picked up one in the fifth one in the eighth and then two on the line drive homerun by big Frank Howard. So once again the final score the Yankees eight and the senators for now this is Bill Rizzotto speaking for Jerry Coleman and Frank method saying so long from Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Washington D.C.
Today's Yankee broadcast has been brought to you from Washington D.C. by Peel Brothers Brooklyn New York who say thank you very much for trying our pills real draft beer and by Atlantic Richfield Company and your local Atlantic dealer drive in where you see the red ball sign the sign of service fill up with Atlantic Imperial and keep on the go and buy First National City Bank the only bank your family ever need.
Our next Yankee broadcast will see the Yankees meeting the same Washington senators Wednesday night airtime seven twenty five p.m. We hope you'll join us then for more New York Yankee baseball.
Right now stay tuned for Bob Albert and the scoreboard on W.H.N. 1050 New York W.H.N. 1050 New York for worldwide mutual news and these are the headlines.
Secretary of State Rogers told his first news conference today that the Nixon administration does have a peace plan for Vietnam but Rogers did not disclose what it might be.
Meantime Secretary of Defense Laird warns that the Soviets are testing a new triple warhead on the new SS nine rocket.
The Supreme Court has downed the New York legislature's reapportionment plan Democrat Hugh Kerry of Brooklyn has become a Democratic candidate for mayor.
And the so-called field marshal of the Black Panthers denied a plot today that it planned to bomb a number of department stores and other targets in the city last week on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones industrials average closed down eight point fifty two the weather word sunny quite mild this afternoon.
Fair mile tonight for the low in the middle 40s right now it's 67 degrees at four twenty seven.
Stay tuned now for more of Albert on the scoreboard.
Thank you John and good afternoon everyone this is more of Albert at the scoreboard brought to you by suppose socks and the Pontiac dealers of New York Westchester and Long Island visit the one nearest you for a good deal on a great car that is Pontiac.
And this afternoon in Washington good day for the Yanks despite a shaky performance by Mel Stottemeyer really had to struggle but most of the day went right as most of the hopes of the Grapefruit League became reality in game number one of course the opposition was not exactly the true test but Mr.
Halk will take it the senators figure to have one of their longer seasons and they've had some long ones eight for the final a game that saw the much advertised Yankee speed put to use a game that saw the two big hopes Jerry Kenny and Bobby Mercer come through a game that saw heavy hitting by both ball clubs in a game that saw a so so performance by Mel Stottemeyer but good enough although he gave up the four runs on 14 base hits this the presidential opener with a
president Richard Nixon on hand to fire out that first ball get things going and Mr. Nixon performed the ritual which has been conducted by every president since William Howard Taft started it back in 1910 Ted Williams was invited to the president's box to supervise and here's how it went as described by Jerry Coleman.
And now Ted Williams is up to join President Nixon and he's about ready. There it goes into the middle of the pack and it's on the ground a real scramble who's got it. It looks like Hank Allen is the one who comes up with it.
So despite the efforts of Fritz Peterson who came prepared with a fishnet. Hank Allen came up with the baseball and that was the only Washington Saturday success of the afternoon. Here's the recap and the second the Yankees moved in front to stay with two runs stolen bases by Roy White and Bill Robinson helping matters in fact White stole two RBI singles by Tresh and Gibbs and then in the third with one out the batter was Jerry Kenny facing Camillo Pasquale who was hanging that large size curve
ball of his the one who pitched to Kenny hit hard to right field I made real hard way back there it's gone.
Jerry Kenny comes up with a first Yankee home run of 1969 and he hit that whoo wee and for Jerry his second major league home run and a very nice way to start things out.
Then the number three hitter Bobby Mercer and once again here's Jerry Coleman Mercer hit the high fly to right field this could go if it's fair way back there and it is a home run Bobby Mercer into the upper deck and for Mercer his second big league home run that gave the Yanks a four nothing lead four more in the fourth made an eight nothing and that proved to be the beginning as the Senate has bounced back in the eighth and ninth innings to Washington errors and a wild pitch by Dick Bosman helped the Yankee cause in the fourth.
So it was eight nothing the Senator scored a run in the fifth singles by answer Stroud and Epstein answer a tough man to get out throughout the day had three hits along with Tim Cullen who had three the senators with another run of the eighth inning and RBI single by Casanova and a two run shot in the ninth off the bat of Frank Howard made it eight to four tremendous drive by big Frank over the center field wall but that was the story as Stottlemeyer finishes the ballgame had his problems in the eighth and ninth had his problems actually throughout the game.
He had problems actually throughout allowing the four runs on 14 hits but Mel comes up with the complete game and his third straight opening day victory the Yanks at eight runs nine hits and no errors senators for 14 and two Stottlemeyer now one and oh Pasquale is nothing and one he was followed by Humphries in the third Bosman in the fourth Cox in the seventh and Higgins in the ninth the home runs Kenny third inning nobody on Mercer in the third with nobody on Howard in the ninth with one man on so that is the story on the Yankees right here on
the QH and 1050 in New York and we'll check out the rest of the baseball in just a moment. Well quite a ballgame and quite a day and what a pleasure it is to wear suppose socks now this is the sock that more and more younger men are wearing because suppose help keep a young man feeling great help and feel healthy help and feel ready to go of course lots of other men wear famous suppose for another reason that the men who have active jobs where they're on their feet a lot and they find
that patented suppose really help ease tired legs like no other support sock in the world suppose has a special patented two-way knit that does the trick gently and handsomely suppose look handsome too they're an over the calf sock so come on in and drop by and pick up your pair of suppose socks they come in a big range of colors for sports or dress up wear go ahead try a pair and try regular suppose at 495 you'll find them at better stores all
over town and just remember it doesn't matter how old you are or how young you are or what work you do you'll feel better in suppose all the time now the rest of the baseball two other games both in the National League this afternoon at Cincinnati in the other traditional opener they are now in the bottom of the sixth inning the Reds at bat and the Dodgers lead the Reds by the score of three to two it's Don Drysdale against Gary Nolan to Cincinnati home runs in the first inning Pete Rose with nobody on Bob Tolan with nobody
on they open this one up with Ohio Governor James Rhodes throwing what is described by the wire services as a high inside slowball to Cincinnati Mayor Eugene Ruhman sixth inning Reds batting Dodgers lead it by the score of three to two tonight the Giants against the Braves at Atlanta the scheduled pitchers will be one Marischal and Pat Jarvis everyone else opens up tomorrow four games in each league including the Mets and the Montreal Expos at Shea one other baseball note
Mickey Mantle has signed a one-year contract with NBC TV to assist on the pregame show which precedes the game of the week every Saturday afternoon Mickey will join his former teammate Tony Kubek on the pregame he will not appear on every show but will make frequent appearances during the course of the season he'll begin this Saturday on the first telecast so Mr. Mantle has joined the broadcasting business that's the baseball will have the rest of the sports news including a look at the NBA draft right after
this from Pontiac. Hi you must be the sound man I sent for. That's right Sammy the sound man inventor of the greatest sounds ever heard strange sounds wild sounds ugly sounds musical sounds harsh sounds sweet sounds and the quietest sound in the world. And what's the quietest sound of the world? A mouse backing into a powder puff. Oh well that's that's fine I see you see I represent the local Pontiac dealers and we don't want to yell and
scream about the great deals we have to offer but we want to sound that when people hear it they'll think about the great deals at their Pontiac theater. Oh I got it.
What's that? Well I'm humming a song by Johann Sebastian Bach so anytime anybody hears somebody humming Johann Sebastian Bach they'll think of their local Pontiac theater. I see I'm not so sure I like a humming Bach.
How about a red-winged blackbird? Now the rest of the news and the big story just in
right from the hands of John Lewin and the NBA draft they are conducting the
college draft by phone for the first two rounds and the New York Knicks have come
up with quite a pick they need a backcourt man and they come up with John
Warren of St. John's in the second round Bill Bunton of North Carolina. John Warren
selected by the New York Knicks they did not expect to get him. Phoenix picking
second actually the first pick was made by the Milwaukee Bucks a couple of
weeks ago and they have Lou Alcindor all signed and sealed so Phoenix with the
second choice goes for big meal walk. The Celtics get Joe Joe White of Kansas.
Seattle picks up Lucius Allen of UCLA. The Detroit Pistons went for Terry
Driscoll of Boston College. The Chicago Bulls get Larry Cannon out of LaSalle.
San Diego went for Bob Smith of Tulsa. San Francisco Bob Portman of Creighton.
Cincinnati for Herman Gilliam of Purdue. Butch Beard of Louisville taken by the
Atlanta Hawks and the Philadelphia 76ers went for Bud Ogden of Santa Clara. Two
more selections Justin. The Lakers get Willie McCarter of Drake and the
Baltimore Bullets get Mike Davis of Virginia Union. So once again Phoenix
picking second goes for Neil Walk. The New York Knicks in the first two rounds
the rounds being conducted by telephone. John Warren of St. John's. Bill Buntin of
North Carolina.