Babe Ruth 49-10-09 (02) Dutch Reaver

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Babe Ruth 49-10-09 (02) Dutch Reaver"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harolds Old Time Radio
• Episode Title: Babe Ruth 49-10-09 (02) Dutch Reaver
• Release Date: April 13, 2025

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Introduction

In the April 13, 2025 episode of "Harold's Old Time Radio" titled "Babe Ruth 49-10-09 (02) Dutch Reaver," listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio with a captivating dramatization of baseball legend Babe Ruth's encounter with fellow pitcher Dutch Reaver. This episode intricately weaves themes of rivalry, loyalty, and redemption, set against the backdrop of America's beloved pastime.

Characters

• Babe Ruth (voiced by John Goodman): The iconic baseball player facing personal and professional challenges.
• Dutch Reaver (voiced by an unknown actor): A Cleveland pitcher with a tumultuous relationship with Babe Ruth.
• Steve Martin (voiced by Steve Martin): A popular sports reporter and Babe Ruth's close associate.
• Unknown Narrator: Guides the storyline, providing context and transitions between scenes.
• Doctor: Portrays the medical professional attending to Dutch Reaver.

Plot Overview

Setting: The story unfolds in the northern woods during the opening day of deer season, transitioning to the high-stakes environment of a pivotal baseball series between the Yankees and the Cleveland Indians.

Initial Encounter in the Woods (02:09 - 03:14)

Babe Ruth and Steve Martin arrive at the hunting grounds, accompanied by Dutch Reaver. The tension is palpable as Dutch expresses his frustration and jealousy towards Babe's prowess.

Dutch Reaver (02:26): "If I'd known you were coming up here, Ruth, I'd have stayed home. You're so lucky, you'll get every deer in the woods."

Babe dismisses Dutch's grievances, leading to a heated exchange that sets the stage for the ensuing conflict.

The Confrontation (03:14 - 05:32)

During the hunt, an altercation results in Dutch Reaver losing the sight of his right eye. Babe, concerned about Dutch’s future in baseball, seeks to protect Dutch's reputation.

Babe Ruth (05:10): "He'll see, but Dutch can still play. His arm wasn't hurt. He's got a couple of big seasons left to put himself and his family on their feet."

Babe requests Steve and the doctor to keep Dutch's injury a secret to prevent unfair disadvantages in the game, highlighting themes of loyalty and sacrifice.

The Climactic Series (05:45 - 12:18)

As the baseball series intensifies, Dutch Reaver demonstrates remarkable skill, turning the tables on Babe Ruth. Rumors of Babe's reluctance to challenge Dutch's newfound prowess begin to surface.

In the decisive fourth game, under immense pressure, Babe Ruth faces Dutch Reaver once more. To protect Dutch's secret and ensure triumph, Babe channels his determination to hit a legendary home run, leading the Yankees to victory.

Babe Ruth (12:10): "I just knew I had to hit a homer. It was the only way I could beat Dutch and still keep his secret."

This moment underscores Babe's internal conflict and his ultimate choice to uphold integrity over personal glory.

Resolution and Reflection (12:25 - 13:17)

The episode concludes with reconciliation between Babe and Dutch, as Dutch acknowledges Babe's character, and Babe reinforces his commitment to his team and friend.

Dutch Reaver (12:25): "You can say that again, Martin."

Babe Ruth (12:29): "Sure. I'll tell you this right now, Dutch. The jinx you had on me is over from here in. Every time you pitch to me, Duck."

The narrator wraps up by highlighting the active role of the United States Naval Reserve in fostering teamwork and friendship through sports, tying the story back to broader themes of camaraderie and national pride.

Notable Quotes

1. Dutch Reaver on Babe's Luck (02:26):

   "If I'd known you were coming up here, Ruth, I'd have stayed home. You're so lucky, you'll get every deer in the woods."

2. Babe Ruth on Protecting Dutch (05:10):

   "He'll see, but Dutch can still play. His arm wasn't hurt. He's got a couple of big seasons left to put himself and his family on their feet."

3. Babe Ruth on the Decisive Hit (12:10):

   "I just knew I had to hit a homer. It was the only way I could beat Dutch and still keep his secret."

4. Dutch Acknowledging Babe's Integrity (12:25):

   "You can say that again, Martin."

5. Babe Ruth Affirming His Commitment (12:29):

   "Sure. I'll tell you this right now, Dutch. The jinx you had on me is over from here in. Every time you pitch to me, Duck."

Themes and Insights

• Rivalry and Respect: The dynamic between Babe Ruth and Dutch Reaver illustrates how intense competition can foster both animosity and mutual respect.
• Sacrifice for the Greater Good: Babe's decision to sacrifice his personal achievements to protect Dutch's reputation underscores the value of integrity and selflessness.
• Teamwork and Camaraderie: The episode emphasizes the importance of teamwork, both on and off the field, aligning with the Naval Reserve's values portrayed towards the end.
• Redemption and Forgiveness: The reconciliation between Babe and Dutch highlights themes of forgiveness and the possibility of redemption even after deep-seated conflicts.

Conclusion

"Babe Ruth 49-10-09 (02) Dutch Reaver" is a compelling episode that masterfully blends sports drama with personal narratives, delivering a story rich in emotion and moral complexity. Through engaging dialogue and a well-paced plot, listeners gain insight into the legendary figure of Babe Ruth, not just as a sports icon but as a man of character and depth. The episode serves as a nostalgic homage to the storytelling brilliance of the Golden Age of Radio, ensuring that both baseball enthusiasts and classic radio aficionados find it enthralling and memorable.

Transcript

[Marlon Brando]

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[Steve Martin]

Play ball. Play ball with Babe Ruth. They fall with the Navy. 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.

[Unknown Narrator]

Before we move along to the dramatic story of how the Babe saved Dutch Reaver's whole future, maybe I ought to ask, what about your future? Ever think of how the Naval Reserve could help you? Any successful man will tell you that you can't go anyplace without a specialized knowledge, a skill of some kind. And in the Naval Reserve, which is an entirely voluntary organization, you can be trained in one of the many naval skills you can get. Knowledge. And knowledge is money. It's security and success.

[Steve Martin]

And, Steve, there's a variety of skills that can be learned. You know, the Naval Reserve, like the regular Navy, is a three way team, operating on land, sea and in the air. And there are numberless skills to be taught in each one of them, and taught well so that a naval reservist can be absolute tops in a civilian job as well. Use your spare time to advantage. Join the United States Naval Reserve, your hometown Navy. Now here's Steve Martin again. And the adventures of Babe Ruth.

[Unknown Narrator]

This story starts in the north woods on the opening day of the deer season. The Babe and I had driven up in his big car. And when we parked the car and started into the woods, we had plenty of company. Dutch Reber, the Cleveland pitcher, came in right behind us.

[Unknown Actor]

If I'd known you were coming up here, Ruth, I'd have stayed home. You're so lucky, you'll get every deer in the woods.

[John Goodman]

Oh, why don't you make another record, Dutch? I hear that lucky stuff every time I hit a home run off you. Now, let's go, Steve.

[Unknown Actor]

Now, wait a minute, big shot. There's something else I want to tell you. You're not only a no good, lucky jerk, but you're a big mouth punk.

[John Goodman]

I. Get lost, will you? Let's Go. Come on, Steve.

[Unknown Actor]

Ah, you yell it.

[Unknown Narrator]

I never saw you take half that from anybody, Babe. How come you took it from Dutch Reaver?

[John Goodman]

I know how it is with him, Steve. He's sore because I've always been able to hit him like I owned him.

[Unknown Narrator]

Well, sure, I know.

[John Goodman]

Besides, he's had a lot of tough luck sickness in his family. Big bills, you know. Now let's forget him. We came up here for fun. Hey.

[Unknown Narrator]

Hey, look.

[John Goodman]

Oh, that's a 10 point buck if.

[Unknown Narrator]

I ever saw one.

[John Goodman]

Wait till he gets that clearing, Steve, and then we'll let him have it.

[Unknown Narrator]

Here he comes.

[John Goodman]

Drop him. Hey, Steve, that scream. That was a man. Come on.

[Marlon Brando]

Holy smokes.

[John Goodman]

On the other side of the clearing. There he is. On the ground, Babe.

[Unknown Narrator]

It's Dutch Reber.

[John Goodman]

Come on, let's get him to a doctor. How is he, Doctor? How's Dutch Reber?

[Steve Martin]

He'll be all right, Mr. Ruth.

[Unknown Narrator]

Oh, that's great.

[Steve Martin]

But he's lost the sight of his right eye.

[Unknown Narrator]

Oh, no, I'm sorry.

[Steve Martin]

The eye will look the same, but the optic nerve.

[John Goodman]

But, Doctor, can you be sure?

[Unknown Actor]

Dave Ruth.

[John Goodman]

Yes, Dutch?

[Unknown Actor]

Come in here. I want to see you.

[John Goodman]

Can we see him, Doctor?

[Steve Martin]

Yes, for a minute or two.

[Unknown Narrator]

Right in here.

[John Goodman]

Doc says you're gonna be okay, Dutch.

[Unknown Actor]

That wasn't the way you planned it, was it?

[Unknown Narrator]

What?

[Unknown Actor]

You wanted to knock me off and then say I got killed in a hunting accident.

[John Goodman]

What are you saying?

[Unknown Narrator]

Now, look here.

[Unknown Actor]

Shut up, Martin. Sure, that's what you wanted, Babe. You wouldn't fight me. You never had the guts for that. But you hated me because I showed you up for a yellow belly. And you hit in the woods and shut me.

[Unknown Narrator]

Wait a minute.

[Unknown Actor]

So I couldn't tell the whole world that their big hero, the great Babe Ruth, is yellow.

[Unknown Narrator]

Dutch, you're wrong.

[John Goodman]

You're crazy.

[Unknown Narrator]

You'd better leave.

[Steve Martin]

He's getting too excited.

[Unknown Narrator]

Yes. Come on, man.

[John Goodman]

Look, Doctor, I'm paying all Reber's medical expenses. Now, if there's any way to save his eye, hospital, specialists, anything, shoot the works, I'll foot the bill.

[Steve Martin]

It's impossible to save his eye.

[John Goodman]

Steve. Listen. You too, Doctor. I want both of you to promise you won't tell a soul about Dutch's eye.

[Unknown Narrator]

Why not?

[John Goodman]

Because if it gets out, some ball player will start dribbling those little bunts to Dutch's blindside. And when they see Dutch mess him up, the other players will have to bunt too. And they'll bunt him right out of baseball.

[Unknown Narrator]

You don't Mean, you think Dutch can still play?

[John Goodman]

Of course he can. His arm wasn't hurt. He's got a couple of big seasons left to put himself and his family on their feet. If you fellas will keep your mouth shut.

[Unknown Narrator]

Naturally, we promised. And when the next season rolled around, Dutch was taking his regular pitching turn for the Indians. And looking as good as ever. But against the big fellow, Dutch looked like Superman. And that was a strange thing. Because where before the big fella used to hit Dutch like he owned him, now Dutch seemed to own the Babe. After a series in Cleveland where Dutch horse collared the Babe in two games. I collared the big fella on the train back to New York. Babe, you've got to stop easing up on Dutch.

[John Goodman]

I'm not easing up on him, Steve.

[Unknown Narrator]

Don't give me that. You're hitting all the other pitches. But when you get up against Dutch, you play dead.

[John Goodman]

I can't understand.

[Unknown Narrator]

Now, look, Babe. This race is between us and Cleveland, which means it's between you and Dutch Reaver. They're pitching Dutch against us twice in each series. And everybody knows that as you go, so go the Yankees. So if we lose the pennant, it'll be your fault.

[John Goodman]

Steve, I give you my word. I am not easing up on Dutch.

[Unknown Narrator]

What is it then?

[John Goodman]

I don't know. But when I get up there against him and he gives me that dirty laugh, I see his blind eye. The eye that only we know can't see. And, Steve, I keep thinking, maybe I did it. And then. Well, he's got the Indian sign on me.

[Unknown Actor]

Dutch.

[Unknown Narrator]

And the Indians kept the sign on the big fella. And when Cleveland came into New York for the final series of the season. They were leading by 1 percentage point. All they needed was an even split of the four games and they were in. The Yankees had to take three out of the four to win the flag. And then those ugly rumors started. As the whole country expected, Dutch Raver pitched the first game and beat us twice. With Yankees on the bases, Bay banged into a double play. And that night the rumors got uglier and louder. The Yankees took the second and third games when Bay broke up each contest with a terrific home run. But then the fourth game, the big one came up. I was shaving, getting ready to go to the ballpark, when the phone rang. Was my editor. He said that the Babe had benched himself. And he wanted me to hop over and check on him.

[John Goodman]

It's true, Steve. I'm going to sit this one out. I'm going to let young Myers Play left field.

[Unknown Narrator]

Well, you're crazy, Babe. You can't do that.

[John Goodman]

Sure I can. Huggins got sick again last night. He put me in charge of the team.

[Unknown Narrator]

But, Babe, listen.

[John Goodman]

It's no use arguing, Steve. This is for the good of the team.

[Unknown Narrator]

Now, you've got to listen to me. Babe, you've got to play today, otherwise people will believe you don't want to win this game.

[John Goodman]

Nuts. I know what I've got to do. It's time to go out now.

[Unknown Actor]

See you after the game.

[Unknown Narrator]

The Indians got a run in the very first inning. They didn't get any more, but with Dutch Reaver sharp as a razor and setting the Yanks down in order, that one Cleveland run loomed as big as a mountain. There wasn't the noise there ought to be from that huge crowd. And I knew that plenty of fans were wondering about those rumors. Then, in the seventh inning, Charlie Cochran of the sun got a phone call. And when he told me about it, I raced out of the press box and down into the tunnel to the Yankee dugout. I called the Babe. Now, Babe, listen. I just heard this. The reporters have got it. They say the players want to bunt on Reba, but you won't let them.

[John Goodman]

You reporters got longer ears than donkeys.

[Unknown Narrator]

Yes, and loud typewriters, too. Don't forget that. Babe, you've got to let them bunt.

[John Goodman]

What's the matter with you? Steve, you know about Dutch's blind eye. Sure, but if we start bunning on him and he falls on his face, everybody will know about it. He'll never pitch another game even that.

[Unknown Narrator]

If that's so, then it is so.

[John Goodman]

Steve, I can't do it to him.

[Unknown Narrator]

Babe, do you realize they're saying that you want to lose this game? That the gamblers are paying you to.

[John Goodman]

Nobody will believe that story about me anyhow. Maybe we won't lose.

[Unknown Narrator]

You mean you're going to tell the boys to bunt? No. Well, then how.

[John Goodman]

Never mind. I gotta get back to the game. Steve.

[Unknown Narrator]

There was nothing more I could do, and I went upstairs feeling as if I was gone to the funeral of my best friend. It was the last of the night. The Yanks were still one run behind, and Dutch had set the first two men down swinging. And then Joey Sewell smacked a liner at the Cleveland shortstop. He bobbled it, and Sewall was safe on first. Fans made a little noise then, but they. There wasn't much hope in them, not with young Myers, who hadn't had a hit coming up. And then I blinked and didn't believe it when I saw that big man with the pipe stem legs walking up to the plate swinging three bats. But the public address had it. Attention, please.

[Marlon Brando]

Number three, Luke Baring for May.

[Unknown Narrator]

My heart was hammering against my ribs and I wanted to call out to the big fella, but I couldn't. I was frozen. I wanted to yell to him not to try this crazy thing if he bungled it. And the chances were 100 to 1 that he would. They'd say he put himself into the game to make sure the Yankees lost. The crowd hushed down and not even the reporters made a sound. The big fella went for the first two pitches, swinging late. I could see Dutch Reaver's teeth as he laughed and called something at the Babe. Then he threw two bad pitches, trying to get the big fellow to go for them. Babe let him go. Then he fouled one. And then Dutch missed the corner for a third ball. Dutch, look Babe over for a long time before the next pitch, giving him that sneering grin. And then he went into his wind up and let fly. The big fella swung. It was as long a home run as I've ever seen, and the Yankees had won the pennant. But how had the big fella done it? Well, I asked him about it in the clubhouse when the happy players finally stopped banging him on the face.

[John Goodman]

Babe, how'd you do it? I don't know, Steve. I just knew I had to hit a homer. It was the only way I could beat Dutch and still keep his secret.

[Unknown Narrator]

Oh, brother, that's one for the books. It's the only time in history that a pitcher won by losing a big game.

[Unknown Actor]

You can say that again, Martin.

[John Goodman]

Hello, Dutch. I suppose you came in here to pick a fighter.

[Unknown Actor]

No, Babe. I just heard that your boys wanted a bun on me, but you wouldn't let them.

[John Goodman]

Who told you that malarkey?

[Unknown Actor]

Never mind. I also know about those gambler rumors. I.

[John Goodman]

Well, I just want to say I.

[Unknown Actor]

Had you wrong, Babe. You're a pretty swell guy. Will you shake hands?

[John Goodman]

Sure. I'll tell you this right now, Dutch. The jinx you had on me is over from here in. Every time you pitch to me, Duck.

[Unknown Narrator]

I don't know whether you know it or not, but the United States Naval Reserve groups in various parts of the country have really active sports programs. In my town, the reserve has, in the regular seasons, baseball, football and basketball teams. And, well, I can tell you that those Navy guys are right up at the top in all the leagues.

[Steve Martin]

That's because they're good friends as well as teammates, isn't it, Steve?

[Unknown Narrator]

That's right, Jack. They train, learn and play together. Great friendships are made that way.

[Steve Martin]

Of course, there's more than sports and friendships. The Naval Reserve gives you a chance to train yourself in your spare time. And training means security. And don't forget it. If you're a veteran, you'll probably go into the Naval Reserve with the same rating you held when you were discharged. If you're not, you've got plenty of chances for promotion. And on top of all that, every Naval Reservist has an opportunity to qualify for retirement benefits. You can play and learn and serve with the U.S. naval Reserve. Join your hometown Navy Talk it over with your Navy recruiting officer.

[Unknown Narrator]

Next week I hope to tell you something about the Babe when he was just beginning his career in the majors, the story of how he had to learn the lesson of his life the hard way. Well, see you then.

[Steve Martin]

Goodbye, Steve Martin. The Adventures of Babe Ruth is written by Ben Peter Freeman, produced by Woody Close, directed by Ronald Dawson, and is brought to you each week at this same time by the United States Navy.

[Unknown Narrator]

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