Podcast Summary: Choice Classic Radio Detectives — "The Saint: Baseball Murder" (Original Air Date: 09/03/1950)

Episode Overview

In this thrilling installment of "The Saint," starring Vincent Price as Simon Templar, audiences are immersed into postwar America's love for both baseball and classic detective tales. This episode, originally aired in 1950, follows Simon Templar as he investigates corruption surrounding the minor league Blue Sox baseball team, facing dangers, deception, and murder. The central case: a possible game-fixing scheme that ensnares an aging baseball legend, his son, and a mysterious woman—with repercussions that turn deadly.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Structure

1. Setting the Stage: Baseball and Rumors ([01:39]–[03:48])

• Louie, Simon Templar’s humorous cabbie sidekick, sets the tone discussing the Blue Sox baseball team and circulating rumors about a potential fixed game.

• Simon Templar expresses skepticism about corruption in baseball—a seemingly pure American institution.

  “Baseball is honest. You know that.”
  — Simon Templar ([03:03])

2. Lefty Miller’s Fears ([03:54]–[06:18])

• Simon meets Lefty Miller, an ex-major leaguer now playing for the Blue Sox, worried about his son Phil falling under the influence of "dirty money."

• Lefty confides in Simon about Phil’s rumored involvement with an enigmatic woman, Diane Courtney, and game-fixing pressures.

  “There’s only one thing in baseball I care about...my son.”
  — Lefty Miller ([04:35])

3. Sizing Up Diane Courtney ([07:09]–[08:17])

• Simon approaches Diane Courtney at the hotel bar, testing her honesty about her interest in Phil and her role in the scheme.

• Diane hints she needs help, asking Simon to meet privately in her room—raising Simon’s suspicions.

  “I saw you at the ball game today.”
  — Simon Templar ([07:33])

4. The First Confrontation: Frankie the Thug ([09:53]–[12:55])

• Simon is ambushed in Diane’s room by Frankie, a muscleman, and beaten as a warning to stop investigating.

• Frankie leaves a business card: “The Fixer. I fix anything.”

• Louie finds Simon and helps him recover, showing the danger they’re truly facing.

  “Got myself worked over, Louie, by a psychoanalytical muscle boy...”
  — Simon Templar ([12:15])

5. The First Murder: Lefty Miller’s Death ([13:13]–[15:01])

• Lefty phones Simon, saying he’s uncovered more about “the Fixer” and asks to meet.

• Phil Miller confronts Simon, angry at the investigation, and together they find Lefty dead—an apparent suicide, but Simon suspects murder.

  “He’s dead, Phil, and there’s a gun in his hand. But he didn’t pull the trigger.”
  — Simon Templar ([15:02])

6. Digging Deeper: The Investigation ([16:28]–[17:13])

• Simon and Louie search Diane’s hotel room for clues, suspecting more is hidden.

• Diane is questioned but claims ignorance and fear, refusing to reveal the fixer's identity.

  “Look, I don’t care how frightened you are. A man’s been killed.”
  — Simon Templar ([17:48])

7. Gathering the Threads: Interviews & Hunches ([18:16]–[21:22])

• Simon talks to Mr. Bush, the Blue Sox manager, and Sam the Spender, a local bookmaker.

• Sam describes a suspicious bet placed against the Blue Sox by someone resembling Frankie, with a payoff arranged in Diane’s hotel room—confirming a larger plot.

  “Dirty money has a smell to it. And I’m beginning to smell it.”
  — Simon Templar ([21:15])

8. The Final Showdown: Unmasking the Fixer ([21:43]–[25:59])

• Simon returns to Diane’s room, confronting Frankie and Diane as the game ends.

• Phil arrives, confessing he threw the game under duress to protect Diane.

• Simon methodically exposes Diane as the true Fixer, not just an accomplice.

  “The Fixer is a very beautiful woman, Diane. The Fixer is you.”
  — Simon Templar ([24:29])

• In a struggle, Frankie tries to kill Simon; Phil intervenes, saving Simon and proving his own courage.

• Diane and Frankie are arrested; Phil’s innocence and character are reestablished.

9. Epilogue: Justice and Reflection ([26:49]–[27:33])

• Simon reflects with Louie about Diane’s motivations and the toll of corruption.

• Phil is absolved, noting he pitched a shutout instead of throwing the game, honoring his father’s memory.

  “I pitched a three hit shutout. I figured it was the least I could do for Lefty.”
  — Phil Miller ([26:31])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Simon’s wit on cynicism and honesty in baseball:
  “My silence, friend Louie, is purely comparative.” ([02:15])

• On familial love and regret:
  “He’s sitting across the field in the dugout...my son.”
  — Lefty Miller ([04:35])

• On crime detection:
  “As my friend Philip Marlow would say, crime detection is an adventure. In search of the hidden truth.”
  — Simon Templar ([16:53])

• Memorable twist:
  “You mean who is she? The Fixer is a very beautiful woman, Diane. The Fixer is you.”
  — Simon Templar ([24:29])

• Louie’s closing humor:
  “Should have seen what it’s done to my wife. And she was no prize to begin with.”
  — Louie ([27:04])

Important Timestamps

• [01:39] — Louie & Simon discuss baseball and rumors of a fix
• [03:54] — Lefty Miller reveals worries about his son and Diane
• [07:09] — Simon confronts Diane at the hotel bar
• [09:53] — Simon is beaten by Frankie, warned to back off
• [13:13] — Lefty phones Simon, setting up their final meeting
• [14:43] — Simon and Phil discover Lefty's murder
• [17:15] — Diane refuses to talk; Simon and Louie look for more clues
• [18:16] — Simon interviews team manager and bookmaker; the betting scheme is revealed
• [21:43] — Simon faces Diane and Frankie for the final reveal
• [24:29] — Big reveal: Diane is the Fixer
• [26:31] — Phil’s redemption: he threw a shutout, not the game
• [27:10] — Simon philosophizes about Diane’s motives and corruption

Tone and Atmosphere

The episode’s tone blends hard-boiled detective with warm-hearted humor, featuring Simon’s quick wit and Louie’s banter. The tension builds steadily, climaxing in the final confrontation. Motifs of regret, the cost of corruption, and the redemptive power of courage and love come through clearly.

For Listeners

This classic episode is a perfect blend of suspense, character depth, and postwar American values. Whether you're a fan of old-time radio, baseball, or just a good whodunnit—as Simon Templar says, “Crime detection is an adventure. In search of the hidden truth.”