I couldn't hold back the tears... such a moving piece... especially Babe Ruth. What a gift we have been blessed with to have had such incredible athletes, hall of famers, broadcasters, owners, and countless others that contributed to the sport of baseball, who truly did make it a "game". The world will neve witness even a hint of these glory days again and I for one am grateful that these memories of those magical years are being preserved and shall continue to touch generations for many years to come. Thanks to all for their work in this outstanding documentary.
Tears are streaming down my checks. Those tears began in the first minute of this program. They continue minutes after the last shot of Chuck Connors swinging that bat. Baseball was the game of dreams. Those days are, as Ernie Harwell used to say, "Looooong gone!" I am blest that I got to see some of those in the film actually play. But so very few of them. My days are nearing their end. I pray that I get to meet many of these Men, when my time comes.
Me too, Doug. I can’t really explain why. Does baseball represent the youth we left all those years ago? I think in some small way it does. And “The good old days”. A simpler time when all I worried about was if I could get enough friends together to play a game. Or if I could find some change for a new ball. Or maybe because it’s just the best damn game ever. I could write a novel here. Thanks Doug for sharing your feelings. I’m a kindred spirit and the tears are coming just writing this.
I watched this during its original broadcast on PBS. Simply one of the most beautiful and respectful documentaries ever made. It touches me every time I see it. I have always loved the game but this film series makes it so much more an American experience. If you are old enough you remember a time these guys weren’t millionaires. They were ball players in the way your dad was a factory worker.
the very sights and sounds of it is just so...warm an familiar. Cleats on the infield, the bat cracks, the ball smacking into the leather. Feels like I'm a kid again hanging out at Shea. Just the beautiful old style wind ups of pitchers...how fluid it was.
All the photographers in this era were just trying to get photos for the papers and magazines, trying to pay their bills and feed their families, probably not realizing the full gravity of the fact that their photos would be capturing moments in time that would be so precious to people 100 years in the future. I am a photographer, and I view a photo as a form of time travel, capturing a moment in time that can last forever in that state. I am grateful for all the sports photographers (and videographers) of this era, without them we would have to only hear and read stories. I can’t believe I get to hear Babe Ruth’s voice from his own mouth, someone who passed away over 70 years ago talking into my ear. It’s a beautiful thing.
Out of ALL the great players and the memories of yesterday etc...There is ONLY ONE player left standing from that era......"The Say Hey Kid"........ Willie Howard Mays Jr.
This is a great documentary film, wonderful narrative, great video from many years ago.. I am a lifelong baseball fan. This film features so many Immortals. Mantle, Mays, Musial, Williams, DiMaggio. Incredible !
Something about these documentaries. Remember watching them whne i was like 7 years old and just the theme song the narration the old video makes me nostalgic. SF Giants fan for life ...
St. Louis had such a contrast with the Cardinals in the national league and the Browns in the American league. With a war depleted league in 1944 with so many in service the Browns won their only pennant the same year as the Cardinals. The Cardinals won in 6 games but have read most of St. Louis rooted for the underdog Browns. Thanks to St. Louis historian Ed Wheatley he has kept Browns memories alive in St. Louis. The Browns best team was in 1922 missing the pennant to the Yankees with Babe Ruth by one game when their best player George Sisler became ill. A statue of George Sisler stands among the statues of Cardinals greats outside the stadium. Also well remembered is Browns pitcher Satchel Paige who due to color had to wait so long to show he was among the best. .
Seeing Ruth like that and hearing Koenig say his number 3 retired within baseball is 100% correct. Jackie's number, as it is and should be but so should #3. Without Ruth starting out the 1920's with being traded to the Yankees in the 1919-1920 Offseason he calmed down the people mad about the Black Sox Scandal. His unreal 54 HRs that year brought back fans to the ballpark who might not have come back if King Kong wasn't the main attraction. His bat would carry the game throughout the 1920's that decade might have been the Roaring '20s if there wasn't a bat roaring in the Polo Grounds and the house he built in The Bronx.
Love these teams and players from the 30's, 40's and 50's they would kick the snot out of these teams with their multi million dollars strike out kings of today
Happy to hear Elden Aucker's voice... In 1989 he came to our little league practice as a favor for my coach. He told us stories of the world series, signed stuff and showed us how to throw curve balls. What a guy!
The Greatest Generation with no millionaires playing for the love of the game. A lot of these players like Ted Williams lost over 4 years serving our country in the military. True American patriots !
They didn't play 'for the love of the game '. They played for whatever the owners tossed their way because the reserve clause was ironclad in those days. The players had zero negotiating power.
It was never really just a “game”, except to the children and the fans. In fact, it was always a big business to the club owners. The players were just hired hands, they were there to perform a job. They didn’t get paid nearly enough compared to how much money they made for the club owners. They were badly exploited.
Well, Wrigley Field and Fenway Park are still standing and in use today. But you’re right about the rest of them . They are all gone and it’s too bad.😞
Today's game at least 60% only care about making $40, $100 $ 400 million a contract....they bat, .220 avg, and society loves them, but, ballparks smaller, 60% of the people drinking I n the quasi malls inside new stadiums, 30% actually sit fir 9 inn's, my guess....drink a beer. O.k...but it's crazy...I see everyone here actually communicating and watching baseball ⚾
Why is it that every Billy Crystal story sounds like he's just making it up on the spot, according to whatever the interviewer wanted to hear? 🤣I wouldn't be surprised if he'd never seen Mantle play.
I believe him, but I've never cared for him pontificating about baseball like his memories & recollections are something higher & mightier because he's Billy Crystal & he grew up around New Yawwwwwwk baseball.
