1964 10-04 Mets at Cardinals

The Thomas Paine Podcast's episode on October 4, 1964, delivers a gripping account of the final day of the National League pennant race, centered on the high-stakes matchup between the New York Mets and the St. Louis Cardinals at Bush Stadium. With three teams—St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Philadelphia—still in contention, the outcome of this game would determine the league champion. The broadcast captures the electric atmosphere as the Cardinals, fueled by a late-inning offensive surge, pull ahead with key performances from Bill White’s 21st home run and Lou Brock’s clutch doubles. Despite early challenges, including a pivotal home run by Charlie Smith and a spectacular shoestring catch, the Cardinals extend their lead to 11-4 by the eighth inning. The tension peaks in the ninth when veteran knuckleballer Barney Schultz, acquired mid-season and considered past his prime, enters the game under immense pressure. His wild but resilient performance—walking Smith, hitting the umpire with a knuckleball, and allowing a passed ball—ends in a dramatic strikeout to seal the win. The Phillies’ dominant 10-0 victory over the Reds in Cincinnati eliminates any chance of a three-way tie, making the Cardinals’ triumph decisive. The episode concludes with a euphoric celebration, marking St. Louis’s first pennant since 1946 and a historic redemption for a franchise that overcame an 11-game deficit to reach the pinnacle.