I grew up in Central New Jersey with a father, who loved baseball, having played in the Cubs farm system. I was able to watch the Yankees, Dodgers, Giants, Phillies and occasionally even the Orioles, after their move from St. Louis. Mel Allen, Red Barber, and Vin Scully were household names but watching Mantle, Mays and Snider in their prime was a treat, At that time, I think Mel Allen was more famous than Vin Scully but Red Barber may have been the most enjoyable to listen to. Of course, all this changed when the Dodgers and Giants moved west
Baseball was the center of my universe in the 50's. My dad was unique in that he played the outfield left handed , the infield right handed but batted left handed. My dad built a backstop in our pasture and would pitch batting practice to me both right and left landed. When I graduated from HS and had not been accepted at any college, he wanted me to sign a minor league contract with the Braves or Phillies but NU came through in August before I turned 18