Babe Ruth 49-11-06 (06) Sweet William

Summary

Podcast Summary: Babe Ruth 49-11-06 (06) Sweet William

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Episode: Babe Ruth 49-11-06 (06) Sweet William
• Release Date: May 18, 2025

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Introduction to the Episode

In the episode titled "Sweet William", listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio, immersing themselves in a fictional yet captivating adventure involving baseball legend Babe Ruth. The story intricately weaves themes of superstition, team dynamics, and personal growth, all while maintaining the nostalgic charm of classic radio dramas.

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Setting the Scene

The episode opens in a bustling hotel dining room where the New York Yankees, struggling with infield injuries and a disheartened team, are deliberating their next moves. Manager Jack Huggins and Babe Ruth discuss the pressing need for a new shortstop to bolster the team's performance.

Notable Quote:

• Steve Martin (as Narrator):

  "In big league baseball, there have been many goats players who failed when the chips went down or who pulled a bonehead, played to lose a World Series."
  (00:48)

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Introduction of Barney Jones and Sweet William

Amidst the discussion, a peculiar incident disrupts the meeting—a flying goat, later revealed to be Sweet William, causing chaos in the dining area. Enter Barney Jones, the newly recruited shortstop from Sioux Falls, accompanied by his goat mascot, Sweet William. Despite initial skepticism from Manager Huggins, Barney's remarkable batting performance—hitting over .400—suggests that Sweet William's presence is the secret to the team's sudden surge in success.

Notable Quote:

• Babe Ruth:

  "Barney might give us just the punch we need."
  (04:19)

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The Winning Streak and Rising Tensions

With Sweet William by his side, Barney becomes the star player, leading the Yankees to an impressive series of victories. The team's morale skyrockets, moving from fifth to second place, and even challenging top teams like the Red Sox, Athletics, and Senators.

However, as their success continues, concerns arise about the sustainability of their winning streak. Manager Huggins grows increasingly wary that the team's reliance on Sweet William might be more detrimental than beneficial.

Notable Quote:

• Manager Huggins:

  "Something sure to happen."
  (05:59)

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The Goat's Disappearance and Its Aftermath

The turning point occurs when Sweet William suddenly bolts, chasing a bass drum and leading the entire team into disarray. Without their mascot, the Yankees' performance plummets, and tensions within the team reach a boiling point. Barney, devastated by the loss of his beloved goat, succumbs to despair, believing his batting prowess was solely due to Sweet William's influence.

Notable Quote:

• Barney Jones:

  "It's all over. The charm is broken. Now I'll just be a bush league ball player again."
  (10:14)

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Babe Ruth's Intervention and Revelation

Refusing to let the team fall apart, Babe Ruth steps in to console Barney. Through heartfelt conversation, Babe unveils the truth: while Sweet William provided companionship and perhaps inspiration, Barney's true talent and hard work were the real drivers behind his incredible performance. This revelation reignites Barney's confidence, emphasizing the importance of self-belief and personal effort over superstition.

Notable Quotes:

• Babe Ruth:

  "You're a terrific ballplayer in your own right. Bonnie the Goat happened to be around when you hit your stride, so you figured he was the reason."
  (11:21)

• Barney Jones:

  "Well, yeah, you're right, Babe. It wasn't Sweet William. I am a big leaguer in my own right."
  (11:55)

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Climactic Victory and Team Unity

Reinvigorated, Barney returns to the field without Sweet William. Demonstrating his innate talent and determination, he leads the Yankees to a pivotal victory against the White Sox. The team's unity and belief in their own abilities, free from reliance on external charms, solidify their pathway to winning the pennant.

Notable Quote:

• Babe Ruth:

  "Come on, gang, let's go."
  (12:17)

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Conclusion and Reflection

The episode concludes with a reflection on the lessons learned. Babe Ruth highlights the significance of self-confidence and perseverance, underscoring that true success comes from within rather than external influences. This heartwarming narrative not only entertains but also imparts valuable life lessons wrapped in the nostalgic ambiance of old-time radio.

Notable Quote:

• Steve Martin (as Narrator):

  "Babe, is that Sweet William?"
  (08:30)

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Key Takeaways

1. Self-Belief Over Superstition: The story emphasizes the importance of believing in one's own abilities rather than relying on external factors or superstitions.
2. Team Dynamics: It showcases how individual contributions and team unity are crucial for overcoming challenges and achieving success.
3. Personal Growth: Barney's journey from dependency on Sweet William to self-reliance illustrates significant personal development.

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Final Thoughts

"Babe Ruth 49-11-06 (06) Sweet William" is a quintessential episode that blends humor, drama, and valuable life lessons. Through engaging storytelling and memorable characters, it captures the essence of the Golden Age of Radio, making it a delightful listen for both longtime fans and new audiences alike.

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Upcoming Episode Teaser:

"Next week, I've got an exciting story of the time that the Big Fella and Eddie the Bad Boy tangled with a Chicago gangster. Brother, that was something." (14:13)

Stay tuned for more thrilling adventures in the next installment of Harold's Old Time Radio.

Transcript

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[Steve Martin]

Play ball. Play ball with Babe Roof. Play ball 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 Martin.

[Narrator]

In big league baseball, there have been many goats players who failed when the chips went down or who pulled a bonehead, played to lose a World Series. But before I tell you tonight's story, I have a message for you. You may remember that on this program I've occasionally talked about the future of young men. I have, because I've been through the mill myself and know the great importance of deciding right at the beginning of your career exactly where you're going. When you're dreaming of your future. Picture yourself streaking across the sky in a sleek jet fighter. Of making your first landing on a carrier deck. And when you walk down the street of your own hometown, you're wearing those coveted Navy wings of gold. A full fledged naval aviator. If you qualify as a naval aviation cadet, training adventure and travel await you.

[Steve Martin]

And there's more than that, Steve. After you've spent two years on active duty with the fleet, you may be selected for a lifetime career as a naval officer with all the privileges of regular Navy life.

[Narrator]

Well, sure, Jack. And as an officer, you have the highest social and professional standing, free medical care for yourself and family, and numerous other advantages. I don't know how much more a fellow can want.

[Steve Martin]

That's certainly my feeling, Steve. And if you fellows want to fly with the fleet and wear Navy wings of gold, write to NAVCAD. That's N A V. CAD NAVCAD, WA 25 DC and now back to Steve Martin and the Adventures of Babe Ruth.

[Narrator]

It was late in July and. And the Yankees, riddled by infield injuries, were in a bad way. I was having dinner in the hotel dining room with manager Huggins and the. Babe.

[Babe Ruth]

When is this new shortstop? No, the kid who's been burning up the bushes. When's he going to join us? Hug?

[Manager Huggins]

He's doing here tonight, Babe, and I'm worried. I understand he's a bit eccentric.

[Narrator]

Screwball, you mean, Hug.

[Manager Huggins]

I guess so, Steve. That might mean trouble.

[Babe Ruth]

I don't care how big a screwball he is. If he's a hard hitting shortstop, he's what the doctor ordered.

[Steve Martin]

Hey, what.

[Manager Huggins]

What's.

[Narrator]

What's going on?

[Babe Ruth]

What's Happening.

[Manager Huggins]

Hey, Ste.

[Barney Jones]

Babe.

[Babe Ruth]

Hug, Look. There's a goat moose in here.

[Manager Huggins]

A what? A goat. Great big billy goat. See?

[Barney Jones]

Holy smokes.

[Manager Huggins]

Get him ready.

[Babe Ruth]

I'll stop him.

[Manager Huggins]

You gotta stop him before you kill somebody.

[Narrator]

Babe made a flying tackle, caught the goat by the horns and went down with him. I grabbed the animal's legs and was hanging on for dear life when a skinny, sunburned guy came rushing in with a broken clothesline. We had Mr. Goat wrapped up when Henri, the head waiter, arrived.

[Henri, the Head Waiter]

Monsieur Huggins, this is outrage. Behold my dining room. She is wreck.

[Manager Huggins]

Don't blame me, Henri. It isn't my goat.

[Henri, the Head Waiter]

But it is the goat of this man, this assassin with a rope. He say he is one of your best boilers.

[Manager Huggins]

He is not.

[Barney Jones]

Sure I am. Mr. Huggins, I'm Barney Jones, your new shortstop from Sioux Falls.

[Manager Huggins]

You know what? Did you bring this cold in here?

[Barney Jones]

Naturally. I couldn't come here without Sweet William.

[Henri, the Head Waiter]

You hear, Monsieur Huggins? He admits it.

[Barney Jones]

I'm sorry about this little trouble, but Sweet William saw the bass drum on the bandstand. Whenever he sees a bass drum, he charges it.

[Manager Huggins]

Well, you can charge right back to Sioux Falls with him. This is a big league ball club, not a zoo. Save your breast, Babe. I've got enough trouble without getting mixed up with a screwball and a ghost.

[Barney Jones]

I'm not a screwball.

[Babe Ruth]

Wait a minute, Barney.

[Narrator]

Look, Hug.

[Babe Ruth]

Barney hit close to.400 in Sioux Falls.401, to be exact.

[Manager Huggins]

I don't care.

[Babe Ruth]

With Sewell and Duggan and Lazari hurt, we've lost most of our power. Barney might give us just the punch we need.

[Barney Jones]

Put me and Sweet William in the lineup and we'll win the pennant for you, Mr. Huggins.

[Manager Huggins]

Did you hear that, Babe? He wants us to put his goat in the lineup. He's as nutty as a food kid.

[Babe Ruth]

You don't understand, Hug.

[Barney Jones]

No, you see, Sweet William is my mascot. Since my sister gave him to me two months ago, no pictures. Been able to get me out. I never hit over.250 before, but now I'm hitting over.400. It's because of Sweet William that stopped.

[Narrator]

Manager Huggins even around long enough to know that ball players are the most superstitious guys in the world. And when he understood that Barney's goat didn't have to be on the field during the games but could stay in the clubhouse, he gave in. But Babe had to agree to room with Barney and Sweet William. No other player would. Well, the next afternoon, Barney was nothing short of terrific. He banged out Four straight hits, two of them doubles with the bases loaded. And the Yanks won their first game in a week. And Barney went right on being terrific. He slaughtered the Red Sox practically single handed. And he murdered the Athletics and the Senators. The other players caught the fever. And when the Yankees finished that home stand and took to the road, they'd come all the way from fifth place to second.

[Babe Ruth]

Well, Hug, what do you think about Barney and Sweet William now?

[Manager Huggins]

Oh, it's too good to last, Babe. Something's bound to happen.

[Babe Ruth]

All that's gonna happen is we're gonna win the pennant again. How about that?

[Manager Huggins]

I'm not so sure, Babe. Not only Barney, but the whole club is beginning to think that blasted gold is responsible for our winning streak. Something sure to happen.

[Babe Ruth]

Ah, stop being a worry warthog. Look, if I can stand it with Sweet William keeping me awake all night, you can too. Especially when it's winning a flag for you.

[Narrator]

Hug was right. Something did happen. The moment we got to Chicago, we came out of the LaSalle street station to get into taxicabs and there was a parade going by on Jackson Boulevard. Well, the first thing anybody knew, Sweet William had jerked his rope out of Barney's hand and was off to the races.

[Barney Jones]

He saw the bass drum in the fan.

[Manager Huggins]

Sweet William, come back here. Sweet William.

[Narrator]

All the ball players, even Huggins, dropped their suitcases and charged after that crazy goat. Sweet William made straight for the bass drum in the band, put down his head and ran through it. Came out on the other side and kept going with us after him. The last we saw of him, he was headed south down an alley. That afternoon, Barney went hitless. And Babe, who was not only dizzy from lack of sleep, but lame from being butted by Sweet William, was horse collar too. The White Sox shellacus. And they did it again. The next two days, Huggins raved in the clubhouse.

[Manager Huggins]

What's the matter with you guys? You're playing like sick old men. You've lost all your spirits.

[Barney Jones]

That's because I lost Sweet William, Mr. Huggins.

[Manager Huggins]

Shut up, Barney. You're an idiot. But the rest of you fellas ought to know better. Now, this has gone far enough.

[Barney Jones]

It wouldn't be so bad if Sweet William had a good home. But he was heading right for the stockyard. He is probably a can of glue now.

[Manager Huggins]

And I said, now, you saps, listen to me.

[Babe Ruth]

Unless something's done, Steve, this club will not only lose the pen and it'll finish in the cellar.

[Narrator]

I know, Babe, but what can we do? You can't carry the load yourself. You need Barney. But he's a bus without his goat.

[Babe Ruth]

We've got to get him a goat.

[Narrator]

Not a goat. Sweet William. And he's either glue like Barney says, or he's in New Mexico. Wait a minute.

[Babe Ruth]

I've got an idea. Steve, I'll see you later.

[Narrator]

Late that night, Babe knocked on my door. When I opened it.

[Barney Jones]

What?

[Narrator]

Babe, is that Sweet William?

[Babe Ruth]

What do you think, Steve?

[Narrator]

Well, it looks like. No, this gold isn't Sweet William.

[Babe Ruth]

Who says it isn't?

[Narrator]

I don't want this boat.

[Babe Ruth]

Come with me, Steve.

[Expedia Advertiser]

Huh?

[Narrator]

Where?

[Babe Ruth]

Right across the hall to mine and Barney's room.

[Manager Huggins]

Babe, it won't work.

[Babe Ruth]

Barney's a city boy, not a farm. Barney. Barney, where are you, Barney?

[Barney Jones]

I was just packing my suitcase, Babe. I'm going back to suit. What the. Sweet William.

[Babe Ruth]

Say howdy to your papa, Sweet William.

[Barney Jones]

Hey, wait. This isn't Sweet William.

[Babe Ruth]

Why, sure it is.

[Barney Jones]

It isn't. Sweet William has horns.

[Steve Martin]

Oh.

[Babe Ruth]

Oh, well, you see, Barney, the people who found Sweet William the other day had to cut his horns off. He was too friendly with them.

[Barney Jones]

Ah. Hey, this goat doesn't smell like Sweet William. It doesn't smell hardly at all.

[Babe Ruth]

Well, sure not. He just got a bath.

[Barney Jones]

Well, what do you know? Sweet William is back. Oh, boy, am I sorry for those white socks tomorrow.

[Narrator]

I was sorry for the White Sox the next day, too, when Babe and Barney, who hit like mad men, again, got through with them. And I was sorry for St. Louis and then for Detroit when Babe and Barney waded through both those towns for a clean sweep of eight games. We went into Cleveland and took two games and were tied for first place.

[Babe Ruth]

Oh, you Sweet William, huh, Steve?

[Narrator]

We're living on borrowed time, Babe. Barney may be a city boy who doesn't know anything about goats, but he's going to find out.

[Babe Ruth]

Forget it. We've got nothing to worry about.

[Narrator]

But that was one time the big fellow was wrong because he'd overlooked a little lady called Mother Nature. There was a double head of the next day. And when I went to the clubhouse with the Yankees after the first game, the trainer and clubhouse man were running around like crazy. And there were three goats there. The phony Sweet William had given birth to two kids.

[Barney Jones]

You fooled me, Babe. It wasn't Sweet William after all. You lied to me.

[Babe Ruth]

Now, wait, Barney. I did it for your good, too.

[Barney Jones]

It's all over. The charm is broken. Now I'll just be a bush league ball player again.

[Babe Ruth]

No, you won't. Listen, Barney.

[Barney Jones]

Oh, it's no use. It's all over. I tell you. I can't hit a balloon without swinging. Barney.

[Babe Ruth]

Barney, come back here.

[Manager Huggins]

There goes our pinning.

[Babe Ruth]

Babe. We're maybe not Hug. Barney. Barney, I want you to listen to me a moment.

[Barney Jones]

I forgive you.

[Babe Ruth]

Oh, never mind that. You're going back on the field.

[Barney Jones]

Babe, I'm through. I'm just a punk butcher without Sweet William.

[Babe Ruth]

Oh, yeah? Look, you dummy. These last two weeks, while you were pounding the COVID off the ball, you thought it was because Sweet William was in your corner. Well, yeah, but Sweet William wasn't in your corner. You were doing it by your own self.

[Narrator]

Catch on.

[Barney Jones]

You mean.

[Babe Ruth]

I mean, you're a terrific ballplayer in your own right. Bonnie the Goat happened to be around when you hit your stride, so you figured he was the reason. But now you found out that wasn't so. You don't need any superstitious mumbo jumbo to help you knock the ball out of the lot. All you need is a bat.

[Barney Jones]

Well, yeah, you're right, Babe. It wasn't Sweet William. I am a big leaguer in my own right.

[Babe Ruth]

Sure you are, kid.

[Manager Huggins]

Well, what do you know, Babe?

[Babe Ruth]

You're wonderful.

[Manager Huggins]

Well, what are you guys standing around for? We got another game to win today. You, Barney, get out on the field.

[Barney Jones]

Yes, sir.

[Babe Ruth]

Hug.

[Barney Jones]

And I'm the boy to win it for you.

[Babe Ruth]

Come on, gang, let's go.

[Narrator]

And I gotta hand it to you, Babe. I didn't know you were such a good psychologist.

[Babe Ruth]

Hey, don't give me any of those $5 words. The I did it strictly from desperation.

[Narrator]

You mean you need that World Series sugar?

[Babe Ruth]

I mean I needed sleep. Did you ever try sleeping with a goat? Chewing your toes all night?

[Steve Martin]

Thanks a lot, Steve Martin, for this amusing adventure of Babe Ruth. And you fellows who may have been dreaming of a career in aviation, think of naval aviation. In a recent survey, 95% of businessmen queried stated that the ability to fly an airplane would be a definite advantage to a young man seeking a job. That statement fits right into the Naval Aviation Cadet Program. To college men who can meet the high physical standards, the Naval Aviation Cadet Program offers an unbeatable chance to learn to fly. First, you spend about two years in flight training at the Navy's colorful Annapolis of the Air at Pensacola, Florida. Upon completion of that training, you're commissioned a naval officer, awarded your Navy Wings of Gold and assigned to two years on active flight duty. Later, your Navy flying experience, the best in the world, will be valuable in civilian life. For full details for the new illustrated booklet where Navy Wings of gold. Write to NAVCAD. That's NAV CAD NAVCAD, WA 25 DC and if you're interested, as most young fellows are in the Navy's great sports program, stop in at your local Navy recruiting office and ask for your free copy of the colorful and interesting booklet. Play Ball around the World. What's on deck for next week? Steve martin.

[Narrator]

Well, Jack, next week I've got an exciting story of the time that the Big Fella and Eddie the Bad Boy tangled with a Chicago gangster. Brother, that was something.

[Steve Martin]

Sounds terrific, Steve. And we'll all be listening. The Adventures of Babe Ruth is written by Ben Freeman, produced by Woody Close, directed by Ronald Dawson and presented by the United States Navy.

[Expedia Advertiser]

Packages by Expedia. You were made to be rechargeable. We were made to package flights, hotels and hammocks for less. Expedia. Made to travel.