The scene: Ponce De Leon Park in Atlanta, April 1939. Opening Day in the minor league baseball world was a big deal! There was no game at your fingertips each evening, no southern major league team, no SportsCenter. The biggest game in town was your local minor league team. The Lookouts opened their season against the Atlanta Crackers. A ballpark full of fans dressed in their Sunday best. Pre-game bands, singers, baton twirlers. The biggest name in sports (golfer Bobby Jones) swinging at the ceremonial first pitch. Lookouts owner Joe Engel brought along the Knothole Gang from Chattanooga. And it’s all narrated by an unknown announcer with an accent dripping with Southern sweet tea.
I don’t remember who gave me this clip, a long, long time ago. It sat on my shelf for decades. I’m glad YouTube came along so I could share it with you.
Enjoy this rare video from 1939!
The announcer sounds like Red barber.