April 14: The Phillies Are “On The Air”

The Main Event

April 14, 1936 – The first Phillies home radio broadcast takes place on opening day as the Phils host Boston. WCAU carries the game with Bill Dyer and former umpire Dolly Stark at the mic.

On April 14, 1936, the Philadelphia Phillies took a step into a new era when their home opener at the Baker Bowl became the first Phillies home game broadcast on radio. Baseball had already begun to find a voice on the airwaves in other cities, but in Philadelphia, the idea of bringing the ballpark into fans’ homes was still gaining traction. By the mid-1930s, radio ownership was booming across the country, and teams were beginning to realize that broadcasting games could expand their reach far beyond the turnstiles.

Leading up to that day, there had been debate among team executives and league officials about whether radio might actually hurt attendance. Why pay for a ticket if you could listen for free? But the opposite proved true in many markets. Radio didn’t replace the ballpark experience. It deepened it. Fans who followed games on the radio felt more connected and were often more likely to attend in person when they could.

Philadelphia joined that movement in 1936, with the broadcast carried by WCAU, one of the city’s prominent stations at the time. The technology was still fairly basic compared to modern standards. Microphones were set up near the field, often exposed to the elements, and engineers worked in tight quarters to maintain a steady signal. Crowd noise, the crack of the bat, and even the hum of the city bled into the broadcast, giving it a raw, immersive quality.

How the Broadcast Sounded

The broadcast itself was a novelty for many listeners. Play-by-play announcing was still evolving as an art form. Early announcers tended to be more formal and descriptive, carefully painting a picture for listeners who couldn’t see the action. There was less of the conversational rhythm that fans are used to today and more emphasis on clarity and detail.

Reports from that era suggest that the broadcast was a success, even if a bit uneven by modern standards. There were occasional technical hiccups, and the pacing could feel slow, but for fans at home, it was a revelation. For the first time, they could follow every pitch of a Phillies home game without being at the Baker Bowl. That sense of immediacy helped cement radio as a permanent part of the baseball experience in Philadelphia.

Bill Dyer and Dolly Stark

Two figures connected to that 1936 opener were Bill Dyer and Dolly Stark. Dyer was a utility infielder for the Phillies at the time, known more for his steady presence than for star power. He would later gain greater recognition as the manager of the St. Louis Cardinals during the 1940s, including a World Series championship in 1946.

Dolly Stark, meanwhile, was one of the National League’s well-known umpires. His career spanned more than a decade, and he was respected for his professionalism during a time when umpiring was an especially demanding and often thankless job. Having a recognizable umpire like Stark on the field added a layer of familiarity for those who followed the game closely.

The Evolution of Phillies Radio

From that first broadcast in 1936, Phillies radio coverage grew steadily. Over the decades, games have aired on a variety of stations, reflecting changes in ownership, technology, and audience reach. Stations like KYW and WPHT have been part of the team’s broadcast history, helping bring games to fans across the Delaware Valley and beyond.

As radio networks expanded, so did the quality and style of broadcasts. By the mid-20th century, play-by-play had become more fluid and engaging, with announcers developing distinct personalities. That evolution helped create a deep bond between broadcasters and listeners, one that often lasted generations.

No discussion of Phillies broadcasting is complete without mentioning some of the iconic voices who followed in the footsteps of that 1936 broadcast. By Saam was one of the early mainstays, calling games for decades with a steady, reliable style that defined the sound of Phillies baseball for many fans. Saam worked alongside Bill Campbell and Richie Ashburn.

Later came Harry Kalas, whose voice became synonymous with the team. Kalas brought warmth, excitement, and a signature home run call that Phillies fans still cherish. His partnership with Ashburn created one of the most beloved broadcast duos in the sport. Their easygoing conversations and deep knowledge of the game made listeners feel like they were sitting with friends.

In more recent years, broadcasters have continued to build on that legacy, blending traditional storytelling with modern analysis. While technology has changed dramatically since 1936, the core goal remains the same: to bring the game to life for those who can’t be there in person.

A Lasting Impact

That first home broadcast on April 14, 1936, may have seemed like a modest step at the time, but it marked the beginning of a lasting relationship between the Phillies and their fans. Radio turned baseball into a shared daily experience, connecting people across neighborhoods, cities, and generations.

Even now, in an age of streaming and high-definition video, there’s something timeless about listening to a game on the radio. It all traces back to moments like that afternoon at the Baker Bowl, when the Phillies first invited fans to listen in and be part of the game in a whole new way.

Philadelphia Baseball Events for April 14

• April 14, 1910 – William Howard Taft becomes the first U.S. President to throw out a ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day. Attending the game in Washington, D.C., President Taft tosses the first ball to future Hall of Famer Walter Johnson, who pitches the first of his 14 Opening Day Washington games, striking out nine, en route to a 3 – 0 one-hit shutout against Eddie Plank and the Philadelphia Athletics. A double by Frank Baker – caused by right fielder Doc Gessler tripping over a fan who had spilled out of overflow seating – spoils Johnson’s chance at an opening day no-hitter. 
• April 14, 1914 – Sherry Magee is the first Phillie to hit two home runs on Opening Day, as the Phils beat New York 10-1. In 1931, 17 seasons later, Chuck Klein became the second Phillie to hit two home runs on Opening Day.
• April 14, 1915 – In the opening game at Shibe Park, Philadelphia Athletics pitcher Herb Pennock shuts out the Boston Red Sox, 5 – 0. Pennock gives up only one hit, a scratch single by Harry Hooper with two outs in the 9th inning.
• April 14, 1925 – Two future Hall of Famers make their major league debuts with the Philadelphia Athletics in the same game. Lefty Grove starts against the Boston Red Sox and leaves in the 4th inning after walking four and striking out nobody. He gives up five runs on six hits. In the 8th inning, Mickey Cochrane pinch-hits a single, while the Athletics go on to score nine runs in the last four innings to win, 9 – 8, in ten innings. Grove, known as Groves in Baltimore, is also listed that way in the New York Times box score. Grove will become the first pitcher to lead the American League in strikeouts and walks in the same year.
• April 14, 1937 – Purchased Nick Etten from the New York Yankees. It would be Etten’s second stint with the Phillies and the final season of his career.
• April 14, 1960 – After losing the first game of the season, manager Eddie Sawyer resigns and is replaced by Minneapolis manager Gene Mauch. Sawyer was the manager when the Phillies won the 1950 pennant, and put up a 390-423-4 record at the club’s helm. While waiting for Mauch to join the team, coach Andy Cohen managed the team for one game — earning a 5-4, 10 inning win over Milwaukee.
• April 14, 1978 – Signed free agent Mike Anderson, who was originally drafted by the Phillies with the sixth overall pick in the 1969 Draft. The Phillies dealt him to St. Louis for Ron Reed following the 1975 season and he had been released by the Cardinals two weeks before re-signing with Philadelphia.
• April 14, 1995 – Signed free agent Mario Duncan who had been an all-star with the Phillies the previous season. Duncan played from 1992-1994 in Philadelphia and became a free agent following the ’94 season.
• April 14, 2013 – Roy Halladay earns his 200th career win with eight solid innings against Florida. He became the 112th pitcher to reach that milestone and the first to do so as a Phillie since Steve Carlton in 1978.
• April 14, 2014 – B.J. Rosenberg faced three batters in the eighth inning of a game against Atlanta and allowed home runs to each one. He was believed to be the first to achieve that dubious feat. The Phillies dropped the game, 9-6.
• April 14, 2016 – Vince Velasquez — aka “Vinnie Velo” — shuts down San Diego with 16 strike outs while allowing no runs, no walks, and only three hits over nine innings. He also set a team record with 25 strikeouts combined in his first two starts with the team.

ICYMI

• Philly Baseball News – Gage Wood Joins MLB Pipeline Top 100

Philadelphia Baseball Birthdays for April 14

• Ben Tincup (born 1890) – Pitched in 46 games with the Phillies in 1914-1915 and 1918. The right-hander went 8-11 with a 2.93 ERA over that time.
• Pete Rose (born 1941) – A member of The Big Red Machine, Rose signed with the Phillies as a free agent following the 1978 season and was a key member of the Phillies 1980 World Series champions.
• Ron Schueler (born 1948) – Acquired from Atlanta prior to the 1974 season, Schueler pitched three seasons with the Phillies. In 33 starts and 92 relief outings, Schueler went 16-20 with a 4.01 ERA in his Phillies tenure.

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