Adventures of Babe Ruth 13 Feud with Tim Daily, Ump

Summary

---

Episode Overview

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Adventures of Babe Ruth #13 - Feud with Tim Daily, Ump
Date: September 23, 2025
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Main Theme:
This episode dives into the heated rivalry between baseball legend Babe Ruth and umpire Tim Daly during a critical Yankees vs. Tigers pennant race series. The story unfolds with on-field confrontations, explosive crowd reactions, and an eventual dramatic gesture from Ruth, all highlighting the intense drama, sportsmanship, and larger-than-life personalities of early 20th-century baseball.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage (02:23)

• Backdrop: The Yankees are locked in a passionate pennant race against the Detroit Tigers, raising the stakes for players and fans alike.
• Tension Identified: Tim Daly—a former pitcher with history against Ruth—is umpiring. His controversial strike call escalates an already simmering feud.
• Immediate Fallout: Ruth is ejected from the game for challenging Daly, which greatly agitates the fans.

---

2. Ruth vs. Daly: The On-Field Showdown (02:41–05:13)

• Controversial Call:

  • Daly calls a questionable third strike.
  • Ruth reacts angrily:

    "That pitch was six inches wide." — Babe Ruth (02:41)

  • Daly retorts, leading to Ruth's ejection:

    "I call it a strike. Now quit beeping, big shot, and beat it." — Tim Daly (02:48)

• Historical Grudge:

  • Ruth and commentator Steve Martin discuss Daly’s long-held grudge over a past home run that spoiled Daly’s nearly-achieved no-hitter.
  • Ruth suspects Daly is still holding it against him, but hesitates to go public with the accusation.

---

3. Escalation: Fan Outrage & Field Chaos (04:06–05:13)

• Fan Backlash:

  • The following day, fans direct their anger at Daly, pelting him with objects after another disputed call strips Ruth of a potential home run.
  • Daly is hit by debris and collapses:

    "I saw one of the bottles hit Daly on the head. But he kept walking until he came to the Yankee bench. Then he keeled over into the dugout." — Steve Martin (05:13)

• Babe Ruth's Reflection:

  • Babe takes responsibility for inflaming the situation:

    "I took advantage of my big name... to start a small sized riot." — Babe Ruth (06:08 approx.)

  • He expresses concern for Daly's job and recognizes the fragile authority of umpires.

---

4. The Turning Point: Ruth’s Stand (07:05–09:53)

• Third Game Turmoil:
  • Daly, now bandaged, faces a hostile crowd; objects rain down, and the mob’s chant grows.
• Ruth Takes Action:
  • Determined to quell the riot, Ruth charges into the stands to confront the main agitators:

    "Cut it out now. Fine bunch of sports you are. 60,000 against one. I'll cut it out, I said, or I'll beat all your heads in." — Babe Ruth (08:21)

  • Ruth physically confronts two ringleaders, stopping the violence and earning the crowd’s respect.

---

5. Aftermath: From Feud to Respect (09:53–11:20)

• Game Resumed:

  • Ruth calms the fans:

    "Okay, okay, we've had our fun. Now let's play ball. And the first guy who lets out a peep at the boss, Tim Daly, has to fight me." — Babe Ruth (09:33)

• Clubhouse Confrontation:

  • Teammates rebuke Ruth for risking his reputation and physical safety.
  • Daly approaches:

    "Babe, you went into the stands today in uniform. You fought with a fan. That calls for an automatic fine and suspension." — Tim Daly (10:14)

  • A moment of mutual respect:

    "You're a pretty swell guy…" — Tim Daly (10:43) "And I'm gonna call 'em special for you, because I ain't. That's the way I want it." — Babe Ruth (10:45)

  • A final handshake cements the end of their feud.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Babe Ruth on Fairness & Sportsmanship:

  "The umpire's boss on the field. I took advantage of my big name, though, to start a small sized riot."
  — Babe Ruth (06:08 approx.)

• Ruth Challenges the Mobs:

  "Cut it out now. Fine bunch of sports you are. 60,000 against one. I'll cut it out, I said, or I'll beat all your heads in."
  — Babe Ruth (08:21)

• Daly and Ruth’s Hard-Earned Respect:

  "You're a pretty swell guy… And I'm gonna call 'em special for you, because I ain't. That's the way I want it."
  — Exchange between Tim Daly and Babe Ruth (10:43–10:45)

---

Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:23] – Series setup, feud context explained
• [02:41] – Ruth’s ejection and confrontation details
• [04:06] – Crowd's reaction, Daly injured
• [05:13] – Ruth reevaluates his role in the chaos
• [07:05] – Third game, escalating fan hostility
• [08:21] – Ruth enters the stands, quells the riot
• [09:33] – Ruth restores order for the game
• [10:14] – Clubhouse scene, reconciliation with Daly

---

Overall Tone and Style

The episode interweaves high drama, action, and moments of self-reflection, capturing both Ruth’s bombastic charisma and sense of responsibility. The storytelling is fast-paced, vivid, and laced with the signature bravado of old-time radio sports drama. The narrative spotlights moral quandaries, crowd psychology, and a code of sportsmanship reminiscent of Ruth’s era.

---

Final Thoughts

This episode not only dramatizes a legendary sports feud but also demonstrates the potential consequences of unchecked hero worship, mob mentality, and personal responsibility. As Steve Martin narrates, it’s a reminder of how larger-than-life figures like Ruth made and remade the mythos of American sports—not just through home runs, but through moments of humility, leadership, and honor when it counted most.

Transcript

[Babe Ruth]

Play ball. Play ball with Babe Ruth. Bay ball with the Navy.

[Jack]

The United States Navy brings you the adventures of Babe Ruth. And here to tell you about the immortal Babe is the man who knew him so well, his pal, the popular sports reporter, Steve. Steve Martin.

[Steve Martin]

The long smoldering feud between Tim Daly, the umpire, and Babe Ruth was bound to explode sometime. And when it did, the riot was heard round the world and Daley and the big fellow faced death. We'll bring you the exciting story in just a moment. But first a highly important message from Jackson Beck. Come in, Jack.

[Jack]

Okay, Steve, and thanks. Before Steve Martin gets started with this adventure of Babe Ruth, I'd just like to ask every young fellow listening a very practical, down to earth question. What are you getting out of life? Making money, got a lot of friends and an interesting satisfying job with a future, a chance for advancement, a retirement plan at a relatively early age. If you haven't got all those things, you should be extremely interested in what the United States Navy offers as a career. First of all, as a Navy man, you'll be part of the greatest fleet in the world. You'll have an interesting job with a chance to become a really valuable specialist in any one of the many Navy skills because it'll be taught you to perfection. You'll have a chance for rapid advancement. For the Navy believes in helping good men rise to the top. And your Navy pay is always there. It's security. And when you remember that the Navy also feeds and clothes and houses you and pays your doctor bills, it's more security than you can get in civilian life and its security for a long time to come. For under the Navy's liberal retirement plan, you can retire after a few short years and have a guaranteed life income. So if you're over 17 and not getting what the Navy offers, it's only good sense to think about the Navy as a career. You'll find that the officer in charge of your local US Navy recruiting office is a friendly man ready to help you solve your problem. Why not see him right away? To Steve Martin and the adventures of Babe Ruth.

[Steve Martin]

The Yankees and Detroit Tigers were in a dogfight for the pennant. And when they opened a crucial series in New York, the players and fans were in a lather. Tim Daly, the ex pitcher, was umpiring behind the plate. And when he called a sour third strike on the Babe in the fifth inning and killed a Yankee rally, the big fella threw his cap on the ground.

[Babe Ruth]

That pitch was six inches wide.

[Steve Martin]

It was right over.

[Babe Ruth]

It was way outside, way out Here.

[Steve Martin]

What are you trying to do to me?

[Babe Ruth]

I call it a strike. Now quit beeping, big shot, and beat it. Not before I give you the name of my eye dotter. I said get going. Babe, I'm not taking any lip off you. It's about time I gave you some. You've been calling them against me all along, and I know why. You can't forget how you. Martin, scram. You can't talk that way to me. Get off the field. You're out of the game.

[Steve Martin]

Babe. The first time in two years you've been thrown out of a game. You have to pick today. The Yanks might have won if you stayed in. No other umpire would have tossed me out for what I said, Steve. But Tim Daly has been gunning for me for a long time. I used to pin his ears back when he pitched against me, you know. Yes, I know. And he's never forgiven me for hitting that home run off him in the ninth inning a couple of years ago. He had a no hitter working up to then. Yes, I remember. So you figure he's calling them sour on you because of that, huh? I know he is. Can I quote you on that, Babe? Oh, no, of course not. I'd sound like an alibi artist. But I'll tell you this, Steve. This series with Detroit might mean the pennant. And if Tim Daly calls him wrong on me again, there's gonna be trouble. The big fellow wasn't fooling. The trouble came the next afternoon, but not quite the way he figured it. The fans were plenty sore at Tim Daly for tossing their SWAT King off the premises the day before. And the minute Tim came on the field, they opened up on him.

[Babe Ruth]

Wait, Daly. Hey, where's your bike? Watch it.

[Steve Martin]

The fans kept riding Daley, but he was umpiring at first base this time. And he didn't really set them off until the. When the blow off came, the Yankees were trailing 2 to 1 when after two out, Sewell singled. The big fella came up then and blasted the first pitch far out into the lower right field stands. He was up against the steel girder with a white stripe on it that marked the foul line. The big fella started to trot around the bases while the crowd went crazy. But just as he came to first base, Tim Daley rushed to him and waved him back. Daley was yelling that it was a fou.

[Babe Ruth]

Say that again, Tim. I said it was a foul ball. Hit the girder an inch on a foul side of the white line. An inch on a foul side. You mean you could see that inch from here, from over 300ft away. Sure. I saw it was foul. Back up there and hit. Why, you dirty. Robbery. That's enough. You're out of the game.

[Steve Martin]

That did it. The fans went completely haywire and began throwing everything they laid their hands on at Tim Bailey. Seat cushions, hats, fruit pop. Bott came flying out on the field. I saw one of the bottles hit daily on the head. But he kept walking until he came to the Yankee bench. Then he keeled over into the dugout. How's Tim Daily, Steve? Where is he? The trainer's patching him up, Babe. He's got a nasty cut, but it's nothing serious. Don't go near him, though. He's raving mad at you. He blames you for what happened. Well, he's right. It was my fault. Your fault? What are you talking about, Steve? I just saw two boys who were sitting near that girder. They say the ball hit on the foul side of the stripe. Just like Tim said. Yes, you'll find plenty of others who swear it hit fair, though. Maybe, Steve. But if some say it landed foul, then Tim was entitled to call it either way. And I should have taken it. The umpire's boss on the field. I took advantage of my big name, though, to start a small sized rider. You know when that happens to an umpire, Steve? When he loses control, he gets the gate fast. Now, look, babe. Don't tell me you care if Tim Daly loses his job. Not after the way he treated you. Call me a sucker if you want, Steve, but this started as a private scrap between Tim and me. And now it's me plus 100,000 fans against Tim. Steve, I'm worried about what's going to happen tomorrow. Because unless I'm dead wrong, plenty is going to happen. The big fellow called the turn again. Plenty happened the next day. And it started happening the minute the umpires walked out on the field to start the game. Tim Daly, adhesive plaster on his head brought up the rear. Crowd started to boo. And then some leather lung fan in the stands behind third base started the wolf howl. And pretty soon everybody took it up.

[Babe Ruth]

Daily. It's a bump, Daley. It's a bump. Daly is the one. Daly is the one.

[Steve Martin]

Tim Daly had guts, I'll say that for him. He stood his frown and motioned the other umpires to get the game started. The players started out on the field. They turned fast and went back to their dugouts. When the barrage trotted out of the stands like hail. Rotten eggs, tomatoes, cabbages and More pop bottles. In a moment, the field was a mess and that chant kept on Bailey in the bump. I worked my way down to the field to where Babe and Little Mil was standing near home plate. When I reached the plate, the big fellow was saying, I gotta stop this.

[Babe Ruth]

Hug before somebody gets killed. You. How can you stop it, Babe?

[Steve Martin]

These fans are my friends. If I go into the stands.

[Babe Ruth]

Are you nuts, Babe? Why? You'll get murdered.

[Steve Martin]

Oh, I won't.

[Babe Ruth]

There's a couple of jerks up there.

[Steve Martin]

Behind third base who seem to be the ringleaders. I'm gonna shut them up.

[Babe Ruth]

The rest will be easy. No, Babe. Babe, come back here. Babe, you're crazy. Don't go up there.

[Steve Martin]

Hug and I tried to grab the big fellow and stop him, but he shook us off and started climbing into the boxes behind third. Bas grabbed a bat and gave me one and then we jumped in after him. The crowd, getting a little quieter now, made a path for the big fellow as he pushed through.

[Babe Ruth]

Cut it out now. Fine bunch of sports you are. 60,000 against one. I'll cut it out, I said, or I'll beat all your hedges. Don't hurt me.

[Steve Martin]

Couple of hotheads tried to stop the big fellow, but he threw them aside with one swing of his shoulders and kept on going until he reached two tough looking guys, the ones he picked as the ringleaders of the mob. Most of the fans now had stopped throwing, but these two tufts kept digging into big sacks they had and coming up with eggs and bottles and even rocks which they were heaving down toward Tim Bailey.

[Babe Ruth]

Okay, you jerks, okay, you've had your fun. Now pick up your marbles and scram, sis. Who says? Me. Come on now, get going, big shot, huh? I'll fix you. Come on, Danny, let him out. Hey, look out. They got mine. Pug. Come on.

[Steve Martin]

Before Hug and I could reach him, the big fellow hammered both knife artist to their knees. And then the park cops got there. Fans were cheering the big fellow now like crazy. He stood at the plate holding up his hands until they quieted down.

[Babe Ruth]

Okay, okay, we've had our fun. Now let's play ball. And the first guy who lets out a peep at the boss, Tim Daly, has to fight me.

[Steve Martin]

The Yankees won that ball game, but in the clubhouse afterwards, the players balled the big fellow out of here. Of all the prize suckers I ever saw, Babe, you're the champ you risk your life to save. Tim Daly's hiding his job after the way he's been treating you. Bob's right. Babe, hold it. Hug you too, Bob.

[Babe Ruth]

Umpires aren't allowed in the players quarters.

[Steve Martin]

Tim, feed it. Not till I say my piece. Babe, you went into the stands today in uniform. You fought with a fan. That calls for an automatic fine and suspense. Now, wait. Wait a minute. Wait a minute, you guys. So I'm fined and suspended, huh, Tim? Yeah, you ought to be, you big ape. But, well, look, Babe, I wasn't giving you the close one. You should have let me take it today instead of. Instead of doing what you did. You're a pretty swell guy and.

[Babe Ruth]

Well, don't get the idea I got soft.

[Steve Martin]

And I'm gonna call him special for you, because I ain't. That's the way I want it. Yeah, Just so you know. That's all. Wait a minute, Tim. Huh? Why, you forgot to shake hands, tough guy. Oh, well, okay, but make it snappy. I'm not supposed to be in.

[Jack]

Well, Steve Martin, thanks very much for a very exciting adventure of Babe Ruth.

[Steve Martin]

You're certainly welcome, Jack. And thanks to you for all you said about the Navy at the beginning of the show.

[Jack]

I've got a lot more, Steve. For instance, I didn't mention the thing you really know about the adventure and the fun of life in the Navy.

[Steve Martin]

Adventure? Where else in all the world can a young fellow find adventure to compare with what is almost routine in the Navy? Think of the places you go, the things you see and do. Egypt and the pyramids. Shanghai's famous bun. The Leaning Tower of Pisa and the majesty of the Thames and London Bridge. The gaiety and beauty of Paris and all of the other colorful ports Navy men visit. And a Navy man just doesn't see those places from the deck of a ship, either. He has shoal, leaving almost every port with money in his pocket and good companions at his side. Oh, Jack, don't tell me about adventure in the Navy.

[Jack]

What about it, fellows? Are you fed up with life at home where nothing seems to happen? Do you want financial security? A chance for advancement? Want to be thoroughly trained in one of the Navy's valuable skills? Want to be able to retire with a lifetime income? All right, then. Think of the Navy as a career. If you're over 17, you really ought to find out about how you can be a part of this great Navy crew. Contact your local Navy recruiting officer immediately. He'll give you all the details. Now, Steve, what's on tap for next week?

[Steve Martin]

Well, Jack, the big fellow liked to joke as well as anybody. But once what started out to be an innocent gag backfired into a near tragedy with the wildest results you can imagine. I want to tell you all about it next week.

[Jack]

The Adventures of Babe Roof is written by Ben Peter Freeman, produced by Woody Close, directed by Ronald Dawson, and presented by the United States Navy. Sam.