Babe Ruth 49-12-11 (11) Kidnapped

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio: Episode Summary – "Babe Ruth 49-12-11 (11) Kidnapped"

Release Date: July 2, 2025

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Overview

In this thrilling installment of "Harold's Old Time Radio," listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio to witness an exhilarating adventure featuring none other than baseball legend Babe Ruth. Hosted by Steve Martin and produced by Harold's Old Time Radio, the episode masterfully intertwines sports drama with suspense, showcasing Babe Ruth's unwavering dedication to his team and the game he loves.

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The Missing Babe Ruth and Initial Concern (02:40 - 05:00)

The episode kicks off with tension building around the Yankees' final game of the season. As the World Series looms on the horizon, all team members except Babe Ruth are present on the field. Manager Huggins expresses his frustration to Steve Martin:

Manager Huggins ([04:00]): "You were having too much fun brawling with your bum friends, huh?"

Steve, concerned about Babe's absence, voices his unease:

Steve Martin ([02:54]): "Well, I sat there praying that he would strike out and so save his life."

Despite Huggins' assertions that Babe is merely out enjoying himself, Steve remains doubtful, fearing that something more sinister may be at play.

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The Kidnapping and Threats (05:00 - 09:00)

Babe Ruth eventually arrives at the clubhouse in disheveled condition, hinting at a troubling experience. Manager Huggins confronts him, threatening to fine and potentially trade Babe off the team for missing the game without explanation:

Manager Huggins ([04:35]): "When the World Series wasn't starting tomorrow, I'd fire you off the team."

Babe hesitates but eventually reveals a shocking encounter. He recounts meeting a distressed father whose son suffers from infantile paralysis. Moved by the boy's plight, Babe agrees to visit him. However, this act of kindness turns into a nightmare as Babe is forcefully dragged into a car by mysterious individuals with nefarious intentions.

In a guarded conversation, Babe discloses that these men are demanding he throw the upcoming World Series, threatening dire consequences if he refuses:

Kid's Father ([06:53]): "The Yanks, the nine of five favorites to win a World Series. But they can't win if you don't try. So I want you not to try."

Babe's courage shines as he stands up to the threats:

Babe Ruth ([07:32]): "Stay away, big boy. I got a very itchy trigger. You can't scare me."

Despite the intimidation, Babe remains resolute, determined to protect both himself and the integrity of the game.

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The Climactic Game and Resolution (09:00 - 12:29)

As the decisive seventh game approaches, tension reaches its peak. Steve Martin vividly narrates the nail-biting moments leading up to Babe Ruth's at-bat. The game is tied, and the pressure is immense. Babe steps up to the plate with reporters and teammates on edge, aware of the lurking threat over his head.

During the pivotal moment, Babe hits a monumental home run, securing the victory for the Yankees. As the crowd erupts in jubilation, a mysterious man in a gray suit approaches Steve, revealing that the kidnappers have been apprehended:

Babe Ruth ([11:21]): "We got them, Martin. You?"

Steve Martin ([11:38]): "Good Lord."

The FBI successfully captures the culprits, ending the immediate danger and restoring peace. Babe Ruth's heroism not only ensures his team's triumph but also preserves the sanctity of baseball.

In a heartfelt reflection, Steve acknowledges the profound impact of Babe's actions:

Steve Martin ([11:51]): "The big fella had done the impossible again and made it."

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Conclusion

The episode concludes with a celebration of Babe Ruth's bravery and the resolution of the high-stakes conflict. Listeners are left inspired by Babe's unwavering commitment to his team and the sport, exemplifying true sportsmanship and courage under pressure.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Manager Huggins ([04:35]): "When the World Series wasn't starting tomorrow, I'd fire you off the team."

• Kid's Father ([06:53]): "The Yanks, the nine of five favorites to win a World Series. But they can't win if you don't try. So I want you not to try."

• Babe Ruth ([07:32]): "Stay away, big boy. I got a very itchy trigger. You can't scare me."

• Steve Martin ([11:51]): "The big fella had done the impossible again and made it."

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Final Thoughts

"Kidnapped" stands out as a compelling narrative that blends the excitement of baseball with the suspense of a classic radio thriller. Through stellar voice acting and a tightly woven plot, the episode captures the essence of the Golden Age of Radio, offering both entertainment and a timeless message about integrity and bravery.

Listeners new to "Harold's Old Time Radio" will find this episode not only engaging but also a testament to the enduring legacy of Babe Ruth and the spirit of American sportsmanship.

Transcript

[Jack Beck]

Play ball. Play ball with Babe Ruth. 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 Steve Martin.

[Steve Martin]

It was the seventh game of the World Series. The score was tied, and Babe Ruth was at bat. A home run would win the series for the Yankees and new laurels for the big fellow. But I sat there praying that he would strike out and so save his life. We'll bring you the exciting story in just a moment. But first, a short but important message from Jackson Beck. Come in, Jack.

[Jack Beck]

Okay, Steve, and thanks. Before Steve Martin gets started with this particular exciting adventure of Babe Ruth, I'd like to remind you young fellows that there's an important place for you in your hometown Navy, the United States Naval Reserve. If you're sort of at loose ends now that you're out of high school and your friends have drifted away, if you want companionship with a great bunch of fellows all interested in the same thing, if you want to be thoroughly trained in a valuable skill, the Naval Reserve is the place for you. You see this great hometown Navy of ours. The Naval Reserve is a completely volunteer organization where good friends meet in their spare time on weekends and on vacations to study and work and play together. They're trained in such things as photography, welding, engine repair, diesel engines, electronics, in any one of the many Navy skills. And because the Navy believes in perfect training, the skill learned could well take you to the top in civilian life in a time when high specialization means high success.

[Steve Martin]

You know, Jack, one of the things I like best about the Naval Reserve is the sports program.

[Jack Beck]

Yes, Steve, Sports are very important to men of the Navy.

[Steve Martin]

You bet. And I don't mind telling you, it's developing some of the greatest amateur teams in the country, in every branch of sport.

[Jack Beck]

Well, the Navy Reserve fellows study together, work together. Why shouldn't they play well together? Particularly when they're all so full of that wonderful Navy spirit. Look, fellows, if you're not in the Naval Reserve, you ought to be join your hometown Navy, the United States Naval Reserve. It will pay you to see your local Navy recruiting officer soon. And now back to Steve Martin and the Adventures of Babe Ruth.

[Steve Martin]

It was the last game of the season, and all of the Yankees were on the field except one. The greatest Yankee of them all was mysteriously missing. And in the clubhouse, little Manager Huggins was having a fit. Me, I was.

[Manager Huggins]

How do you like that, Steve? The game starts in a minute. And the baby isn't here.

[Steve Martin]

Yeah. I hope nothing happened to him, Hug.

[Manager Huggins]

What can happen to him? He's out having a good time.

[Steve Martin]

Oh, no, Hug. The big fellow wouldn't miss a game on purpose. Especially with the World Series starting tomorrow.

[Manager Huggins]

That's just it. The series starts tomorrow. So he figures today's game isn't important, even though the stands are jammed with fans who want to see him belt one. That guy is getting too big for his britches.

[Steve Martin]

Now, you're wrong, Hug. Babe wouldn't deliberately miss a game. He'd rather play ball than eat.

[Manager Huggins]

Then where is he?

[Steve Martin]

I wish I knew. I'm worried.

[Manager Huggins]

Well, the big fellow's a guy who ought to be worried. I'll blister his ears plenty when he shows up and then some. You can tell him that. Well, I've got to get down to the field.

[Steve Martin]

I waited a while and then went up to the press box. All through the game, I kept my eye on the Yankee dugout. But the big fellow didn't appear when the game was over and I followed the Yankees back to the clubhouse. Babe still hadn't shown up. I was getting worried for real. And Manager Huggins face was as black as a thundercloud. When the big fellow walked in, the Babes clothes were torn, his face was cut and bruised, and his knuckles were skinned. Huggins looked him up and down, and the players got quiet.

[Manager Huggins]

So you finally decided to drop in and pay us a visit, huh?

[Babe Ruth]

I'm sorry I missed the game, Hug, but.

[Manager Huggins]

But what?

[Babe Ruth]

I. I couldn't make it.

[Manager Huggins]

You were having too much fun brawling with your bum friends, huh?

[Babe Ruth]

My friends aren't bums. Anyhow, I wasn't with my friends.

[Manager Huggins]

Who were you fighting with?

[Babe Ruth]

I. Never mind.

[Manager Huggins]

Never mind.

[Babe Ruth]

Look, I. I wish I could tell you, Hug, but I can't.

[Manager Huggins]

Oh, you can't, huh? Well, I can tell you something, Mr. Big Shot. First off, I'm fining you $500.

[Babe Ruth]

No, wait.

[Manager Huggins]

If the World Series wasn't starting tomorrow, I'd fire you off the team. Now, you get this. No one man, not even Babe Ruth, can walk out on a game and then refuse to explain why. When this series is over, I'm trading you off the club. You're through. All finished as a Yankee.

[Steve Martin]

Oh, Babe, what's this all about? Where were you this afternoon?

[Babe Ruth]

Skip it, Steve.

[Steve Martin]

Skip it. Are you out of your mind? Hug's fit to be tied unless you square yourself in a hurry. He'll do as he said, trade you down the river after the World Series.

[Babe Ruth]

I may not be around after the Series.

[Steve Martin]

What?

[Babe Ruth]

What do you mean? Gotta tell somebody about this. Look, Steve, you're not to print it or tell how. Promise me that. Well.

[Steve Martin]

Okay, Babe. Shoot.

[Babe Ruth]

Well, when I came out of the hotel today to go to the ballpark, a fellow stopped me. Just an ordinary looking fellow, but with two fingers missing on his right hand, like old Three Finger Brown of the Cubs. He seemed awful upset about.

[Kid's Father]

Excuse me, Babe, I. I mean, Mr. Ruth.

[Babe Ruth]

Oh, Babe's okay, buddy. What can I do for you?

[Kid's Father]

It's my kid, my little boy. He's awful sick. Infantile paralysis.

[Babe Ruth]

Oh, that's too bad.

[Kid's Father]

The doctor thought that. Well, my boy's a great fan of yours. He's got a scrapbook full of pictures. The doctor thought if you could come over for a minute and see my boy, it might help him get well.

[Babe Ruth]

Sure, I'll come over right after the game.

[Kid's Father]

Oh, can't you come now, Babe? It's just a few minutes from here and I've got my car. I can get you back to the stadium in plenty of time for the game.

[Babe Ruth]

Okay, then. Let's go. We walked over to his car. It was a sedan. And he opened the door. I started to get in. Then I noticed three other guys in the back seat. I didn't like their look, Steve. But before I could do anything, the fellow behind me gave me a hard push that sent me sprawling into the car. And then one of the guys hit me behind the ear with a blackjack.

[Steve Martin]

Holy smokes. Then what, Babe?

[Babe Ruth]

When I woke up, Steve, I was in a room without much furniture in it. A guy with the fingers missing who seemed to be the boss of the crowd, was there and three other lads. There was a gravelly voiced little guy who held a gun on me. And two gorillas had been in the car. The boss one gave me a glass of water. And then he made his prowess. Okay, Babe.

[Kid's Father]

The Yanks, the nine of five favorites to win a World Series. But they can't win if you don't try. If you don't hit any home runs. So I want you not to try.

[Babe Ruth]

You mean. You mean you want me to throw the Series?

[Steve Martin]

Why, you dirty.

[Babe Ruth]

Stay away, big boy. I got a very itchy trigger. You can't scare me.

[Kid's Father]

Only a jerk don't know enough to be scared sometimes. Babe, you're no jerk. So listen, Yanks are gonna lose a Series.

[Babe Ruth]

That's what you think.

[Kid's Father]

I know. When they lose, you'll get 50,000 bucks. But if you cross this up, you.

[Babe Ruth]

Get the business and How? Well, Babe, what do you say? This is what I say.

[Manager Huggins]

You did it.

[Babe Ruth]

I knocked the gun away from the squeaky Boston guy, dropped the boss man with a right. The two big guerrillas jumped me, and then a little runt hit me with his gun butt. Pretty soon I got the gun or blackjack on the noggin. I went to sleep again. When I woke up this time, Steve, they were dumping me out of their car up near Yonkers. I managed to pick up a ride and. You know the rest, Steve.

[Steve Martin]

Holy cow. But, Babe, why didn't you tell that to Hug?

[Babe Ruth]

Those mugs said if I did, they'd put a bullet in Hug, too. And I know they meant business.

[Steve Martin]

Oh, well, don't just sit there, Babe. Come on, we'll go to the police.

[Babe Ruth]

No, Steve, I don't know who those guys are or where they are. And even if I did, they deny everything. It just caused a huge publicity stink. And if we lose the Series, it might kill baseball.

[Steve Martin]

And what are you going to do?

[Babe Ruth]

What do you suppose? I'll do my darndest to win the Series, of course.

[Steve Martin]

But those mugs said they'd kill you if you did.

[Babe Ruth]

Oh, they were just bluffy.

[Steve Martin]

Don't give me that, Babe. You said just before you were sure they meant business. Now, Babe, there's only one thing to do. You can't play in this Series.

[Babe Ruth]

Are you kidding? No.

[Steve Martin]

Your life is at stake.

[Babe Ruth]

I'll save it, Steve. No lousy racketeers are going to scare me or dirty up the greatest game in the world. Either. I'll get out of here. Please, Steve, and let me go to bed. I've got a World Series coming up tomorrow.

[Steve Martin]

I'm convinced that most of the gray hairs I've got today started sprouting in that World Series. Every time the big fella made a hit. I caught my breath and listened for the sound of a pistol over the noise of the crowd. The games went to three and three, and then the seventh and deciding game came up in the stadium.

[Jack Beck]

Oh, Babe.

[Babe Ruth]

Yeah, what is it, Steve?

[Steve Martin]

Look, Babe, this is the deciding game. If you win it, you. You might.

[Babe Ruth]

Steve, let's not go into that again. Go on back up to the press box. I'm going out to write for you.

[Steve Martin]

Both pitches were hot, and they went into the ninth inning tied 1 and 1. Pennock set the enemy down in order in their ninth. And it was the Yanks turn with the top of their batting order coming up. Combs flied out and it was Koenig's turn. Koenig went out in an infield roller. And then you should have heard the crowd as the big fella minced up to the plate, swinging three. The big fella took a strike, then two balls. Then he fouled off one. Then he took another ball. Here was the big one Now. I found myself praying that he'd strike out and save his life. Then the pitch came, a fast one, and I closed my eyes. I heard a ringing crack and the crowd went crazy. I opened my eyes to see the ball arch high and far into the bleachers. I was waiting for the sound of the shot, waiting to see my friend fall. My heart was hammering at my ribs as he turned third and started for the plate, taking off his cap with a howling mob. And then I felt a hand on my shoulder and I spun around. It was a man in a gray suit whom I'd seen in the stands throughout the Series.

[Babe Ruth]

Now he said, we got them, Martin. You?

[Steve Martin]

You did, sir?

[Babe Ruth]

Yes, all of them. Fingers Gerhardt, Joey, May. His gravelly voice. Stooge all of them. This was the only game they came.

[Jack Beck]

To the big one.

[Babe Ruth]

They had betting receipts on them.

[Jack Beck]

And May had a gun.

[Babe Ruth]

I think he was getting ready to.

[Jack Beck]

Use it on Ruth.

[Steve Martin]

Good Lord.

[Babe Ruth]

The FBI was after those rats for a long time. But we got them at last, thanks to your descriptions and the big fella's courage.

[Steve Martin]

I looked back at the field. The big fellow was just disappearing into the Yankees dugout, surrounded by his happy, cheering teammates. He was safe. And my eyes got a little misty. The big fella had done the impossible again and made it.

[Jack Beck]

And there you have this adventure of Babe Ruth. Interesting and exciting, wasn't it? But so is life in the Naval Reserve. Interesting and exciting.

[Steve Martin]

You can say that again, Jack. There's a young fellow in our block who a couple of years ago, was spending his nights hanging around the corner drugstore or the pool room, just loafing, doing nothing for himself or anybody else. Then he happened to get interested in photography. And knowing that the best photographic training in our town was being given by the Naval Reserve, he joined. And, Jack, you should see that boy today.

[Jack Beck]

I wish I could.

[Steve Martin]

All of a sudden he's alive. He thinks he doesn't waste his time. And like the Naval Reserve itself, he's a real solid asset to the whole community. And it all happened because this chap discovered an interest, and the Naval Reserve offered him the chance to make something of himself. You know, I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up as one of the greatest photographers in the whole country. It's good to see him moving up, Jack.

[Jack Beck]

Yes, and that can happen to you, too. Training, education, good companions, fun and relaxation. All those things are offered. Take advantage of them. Stop in at your local Navy recruiting office. You'll find that the officer in charge is a friendly man who'll quickly tell you how you can profitably spend your spare time in your hometown peacetime Navy, the United States Naval Reserve. By the way, Steve Martin, what have you lined up for next week?

[Steve Martin]

Well, next week, Jack, I'm going to tell you how the big fellow returned to the pitcher's box to catch a rat and save a brilliant young catcher from the penitentiary.

[Jack Beck]

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

[Steve Martin]

RA.