On the air

Harold Arlin becomes baseball’s first play-by-play announcer 102 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 aired 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.

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 comes out of retirement on Aug. 30, 1972 to work with Pirates’ announcer Bob Prince in calling the game his grandson starts that night 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.