On the air
Harold Arlin
Harold Arlin, all of 25 years old at the time, becomes baseball’s first play-by-play announcer 104 years ago today, calling a game for KDKA as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-5 at Forbes Field.
The first home run that airs live on radio also comes on this day in 1921 as Arlin calls the two-run shot Philadelphia’s Cy Williams hits in the third inning off Pirates starter Hal Carlson.
Steve Arlin
Arlin’s grandson, Steve Arlin, later signs with the Phillies in 1966 and pitches in the majors from 1969-74 with the San Diego Padres and Cleveland Indians.
Harold Arlin, then 76, comes out of retirement on Aug. 30, 1972 to work with legendary Pirates announcer Bob Prince in calling the game his grandson starts that night before a crowd of 19,009 at Three Rivers Stadium.
Alas for Steve Arlin, the night does not turn out well as he loses 11-0 to the Pirates for the 18th loss for what will be a major league-high 21 losses that season.
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Harold Arlin, right, in 1972 calling the game with Bob Prince