1964-Oct-04 • NYM STL • New York Mets vs St. Louis Cardinals - Clinch - Radio Broadcast

The October 4, 1964, radio broadcast of the New York Mets vs. St. Louis Cardinals game captures one of the most dramatic final days in baseball history, as the National League pennant race came down to the wire with three teams—St. Louis, New York, and Cincinnati—still in contention. The atmosphere at Busch Stadium was electric, with the Cardinals needing a win to clinch the pennant outright, while a loss would force a playoff or even a historic three-way tie, depending on the outcome of the Phillies' game against the Reds. The Mets mounted a late rally, sparked by Charlie Smith’s 20th home run and a crucial dropped pop fly by Dal Maxville, but the Cardinals’ bullpen, led by the unexpected heroics of 38-year-old knuckleballer Barney Schultz, held strong. Despite a rough outing from Bob Gibson, who pitched through pressure, Schultz delivered two vital strikeouts in the ninth inning, including a game-sealing strikeout on a knuckleball after a wild pitch hit the umpire and advanced the runners. The Cardinals secured an 11-5 victory, clinching their first pennant since 1946 and setting up a World Series showdown with the New York Yankees. The broadcast, narrated by Harry Carey and Jerry Gross, captures the emotional crescendo of a season-long comeback from 6.5 games behind with 12 games left, a triumph fueled by resilience, strategic depth, and the quiet brilliance of veteran players like Schultz. The moment was celebrated with tears, cheers, and the roar of a city long waiting for redemption, marking a defining chapter in baseball lore.