February 11: Philadelphia and the First Ever Baseball Interview on TV

The Main Event

February 11, 1937: Philadelphia Athletics owner and manager Connie Mack is interviewed by Boake Carter, one of the most famous journalists of the period, in a television demonstration by the Philco company to display its new technology. It is the first-ever baseball interview on television, although the audience consists only of selected guests at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, a few miles away from Philco’s studio.

Television was still closer to science experiment than mass medium in 1937, and Philco, headquartered in Philadelphia, was eager to show civic leaders, journalists, and industry insiders that moving pictures with sound were more than a novelty. The demonstration originated from Philco’s studios, with the audience gathered several miles away at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, a fittingly elite and controlled environment for something so new and fragile.

Philadelphia was one of the nation’s hotbeds for early television development, and Philco was competing with RCA and others to define what television would become. Rather than simply show test patterns or generic performances, Philco chose something distinctly American and locally meaningful. Baseball was already woven into the city’s identity, and Connie Mack was one of the most recognizable figures in the sport. Tall, dignified, and deeply associated with the Athletics, Mack brought instant credibility to the experiment.

The interview did not happen by accident. Boake Carter was among the most famous journalists of the era, known for his sharp questioning and radio presence. Pairing Carter with Mack signaled that this was not a gimmick, but a serious attempt to adapt an established form, the news interview, to a new medium. Philco’s goal was not only to show that television worked, but that it had the ability to handle conversation, personality, and authority.

Mack was a natural choice. He was comfortable speaking publicly, widely respected, and already accustomed to radio interviews. From Philco’s perspective, Mack also represented stability and tradition, which helped reassure viewers that television was an extension of familiar media rather than a disruptive curiosity. The Athletics’ owner agreeing to participate lent legitimacy to a technology that many still viewed skeptically.

What was discussed on camera
The content of the interview itself was relatively straightforward, which was part of its importance. Carter and Mack talked baseball, the state of the Athletics, and the broader game. Mack discussed his team, the challenges of managing and owning a club during the Depression, and his philosophy on baseball. There was no attempt to stage drama or spectacle. The conversation mirrored what listeners would have heard on radio, with the crucial difference being that viewers were able to now see Mack’s expressions, posture, and presence.

That visual element mattered enormously. Seeing a baseball figure speak added a new layer of connection that radio didn’t provide. Mack’s calm demeanor and authoritative bearing translated well on screen, even in the crude resolution of 1937 television. For those watching at the Cricket Club, the experience hinted at a future where fans would see sports figures regularly, not just read about them or hear their voices.

Why the interview mattered
This interview is recognized as the first baseball interview ever conducted on television, even though its audience was tiny and carefully selected. Its importance lies not in its reach, but in what it proved. It showed that sports content would work on television and that interviews, not just live action, would be compelling visual programming.

At a time when televised games were still years away from being practical, the Mack interview demonstrated how television could deepen sports storytelling. It foreshadowed pregame shows, manager interviews, and postgame analysis that would eventually become standard parts of the baseball experience. The format was familiar, but the medium was revolutionary.

For Philco, the broadcast validated years of technical development. For baseball, it marked the first step toward a relationship with television that would eventually transform the sport’s economics, visibility, and daily rhythm. And for Philadelphia, it reinforced the city’s role as a pioneer in early broadcasting.

The February 11, 1937 interview did not change baseball overnight. Most fans never knew it happened. Yet in hindsight, it stands as a quiet but crucial moment, when baseball first looked into a television camera and the future looked back.

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Philadelphia Baseball Events of February 11
February 11, 1915: The Philadelphia Phillies traded longtime catcher and manager Red Dooin to the Cincinnati Reds. Dooin had been one of the most important figures in early Phillies history, serving as both the club’s primary catcher and later as its manager during the pre–World Series era. Dooin began his career with the Phillies and played 13 of his 15 seasons in Philly.
February 11, 1923: The Phillies traded right fielder George Smith to the Brooklyn Robins. Smith had been part of Philadelphia’s outfield mix from 1919 through 1922. The move reflected the club’s continued roster reshaping during a difficult competitive stretch.
February 11, 1979: Phillies pitcher Larry Christenson suffered a fractured collarbone after falling during a charity bicycle caravan. The injury disrupted his spring training and affected the team’s pitching plans entering the season.

MLB February 11, 1977: The Chicago Cubs trade two-time National League batting champion Bill Madlock and infielder Rob Sperring to the San Francisco Giants for outfielder Bobby Murcer, third baseman Steve Ontiveros, and a minor league pitcher. In 1976, Madlock led the NL with a .339 mark, while Murcer hit 23 home runs and had 90 RBI. Madlock leaves Chicago having hit .336 for them, which ties him with Riggs Stephenson for the top career average in team history.

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Phillies Birthdays on February 11
Red Miller (born 1887): Born in Philadelphia, Miller made one relief appearance in his career and it was for the Phillies in 1923. He allowed six earned runs in 1.2 innings (32.40 ERA) and was never heard from again.
“Downtown” Ollie Brown (born 1944): Brown played outfield for the Phillies from 1974 through 1977 after being claimed off waivers from Houston. In 272 games he hit 16-82-.264/.334/.428/.762 for the Phillies.
Gregory Soto (1995): A left-handed reliever, Soto was acquired from Detroit following the 2022 season. He made 112 relief appearances with a 4.42 ERA with the Phillies prior to being dealt to Baltimore during the 2024 season. Soto is currently with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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