Joe DiMaggio Show 49-xx-xx with Lou Effratt

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio - Episode: Joe DiMaggio Show 49-xx-xx with Lou Effratt
Release Date: January 14, 2025

---

Overview

In this engaging episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, hosted by the legendary Joe DiMaggio, listeners are treated to a nostalgic journey back to the Golden Age of Radio. The program features interactive segments, including a lively sports quiz and an insightful interview with Lou Effratt, a renowned sports writer from The New York Times. This comprehensive summary delves into the episode's key discussions, memorable moments, and the camaraderie shared between Joe DiMaggio and his co-host, Jack Barry.

---

Show Introduction and Letter Segment

Timestamp: [01:10] – [03:11]

Joe DiMaggio kicks off the show with his characteristic warmth, greeting listeners and introducing his radio partner, Jack Barry. The duo engages in a friendly banter as they segue into answering listener-submitted letters.

• Listener Interaction:

  • Ms. Elizabeth Goth from Mallon, Texas, raises a pertinent safety concern regarding outfielders frequently injuring themselves against ballpark walls. Joe responds thoughtfully, noting, “there is one ballpark that they have rubber paddings around the wall and that is in Brooklyn” ([01:40]).

  • Mr. Samuel Hart of Phoenix, Arizona, inquires about travel expenses for players on the road. Joe clarifies that while some expenses like laundry and phone bills are self-covered ([02:08]).

  • Mr. Joseph Brownlee from Rochester, New York, asks about Joe’s new television show. Joe enthusiastically confirms the launch, stating, “my first television show just went on a few hours ago on NBC” ([02:28]).

Joe emphasizes the importance of listener engagement, encouraging more questions for future episodes.

---

Sports Quiz Segment

Timestamp: [03:17] – [09:48]

The heart of the episode features an exhilarating sports quiz, pitting Civilians against Navy personnel in a test of sports knowledge. Hosted by Joe and Jack, the quiz incorporates a baseball game format where each correct answer scores a run.

• Participants:

  • Civilians: Ms. Jean Carlin and Mr. Bill Lally
  • Navy: Edward Whitbread and Mead Cameron Gay Mineman

• Notable Moments and Quotes:

  • Gene Carlin's First Question:
    “Robert Roth, Charlie Ruffing and Harold Grange all have the same nickname. Can you tell us what it is?” ([04:13])
    Joe: “They're all better known as Red.” ([04:17])

  • The Nervous Tie-Breaker:
    When the score ties at 4-4, a tie-breaking question is posed: “Bob Feller holds the major league record for the most strikeouts in one season. How many men did he strike out to set that record?” ([08:54])
    Joe reveals the correct answer: “Bob struck out 348 men and he set that record in 1946” ([09:10])
    Bill Lally's Guess of 258 secures victory for the Civilian team, earning them RCA portable radios as prizes ([09:48]).

This segment not only showcases the competitive spirit but also highlights Joe's deep knowledge of sports history.

---

Interview with Lou Effratt

Timestamp: [10:01] – [21:51]

The episode transitions to an exclusive interview with Lou Effratt, esteemed sports writer from The New York Times. Lou shares captivating stories and insights into the world of sports journalism and his experiences covering the New York Yankees.

• Lou’s Lighthearted Humor:
  Reflecting on his singing lessons, Lou quips, “I still have the same old foghorn voice, Joe. Guess I'd better stick to sports writing” ([10:22]).

• Season Predictions:
  Lou discusses his predictions for the football season, expressing confidence in the Yankees' prospects: “I still think your club will win the American League pennant” ([10:35]).

• Gus March Story:
  Lou narrates an inspiring story about Gus March, the Yankees' trainer, highlighting his dedication and pivotal role in maintaining team morale despite numerous injuries. A memorable exchange includes Gus’s stern warning: “I'm sick of keeping you guys together with chewing gum and Scotch tape. From now on, no more accidents” ([18:13]).

• Impact of Gus March:
  Joe personally attests to Gus’s importance, stating, “as one of his star patients, I can tell you how valuable Gus really is” ([19:16]).

• Gus March’s Contributions:
  The trainer discusses his approach to handling injuries and his dual role in coaching swimming at Manhattan College: “If football were to be played every day, I would say the football would be the tough of the two” ([20:07]).

• Psychology in Training:
  Gus elaborates on his interview with Joe McCarthy, emphasizing the psychological aspects of training players:
  “Every time he says, you see a ball come to you, grab a hold of that ball... knock Garrick off the bag with her” ([22:21]).

This segment offers a deep dive into the behind-the-scenes efforts that keep a sports team thriving, underscoring themes of perseverance and teamwork.

---

Audience Questions

Timestamp: [24:06] – [29:24]

Engaging directly with the studio audience, Joe, Jack, and Gus address a variety of listener questions, providing expert advice and personal anecdotes.

• Medical Insights:
  Gus explains procedures for handling player injuries, emphasizing safety and proper care: “We try to bring the consciousness first. And we're always safe in applying ice” ([24:31]).

• Athletic Backgrounds:
  Lou humorously responds to a question about his athletic prowess: “I was not a good athlete, but I was an athlete” ([25:07]).

• Baseball Player Policies:
  Joe clarifies misconceptions about players flying: “if an individual wants to fly, he can do that on his own” ([25:26]).

• Reducing Weight Tips:
  Joe offers practical advice on weight reduction, blending humor with health tips:
  “I would cut out all starchy foods... shake your head from side to side and say no” ([25:54]).

• Handling Muscle Cramps:
  Gus provides a clear explanation of treating a charley horse:
  “A Charlie horse is a contracted muscle with a hemorrhage underneath it... we apply heat and mild massage” ([28:11]).

• Personal Anecdotes:
  Joe shares a personal story about witnessing a teammate's mishap:
  “I happened to see [Bill Dickey] jump off a seat, hit his head on the roof of the dugout and collapsed” ([21:33]).

These interactions enhance the show's dynamic, allowing listeners to feel connected and informed.

---

Conclusion and Acknowledgments

Timestamp: [29:40] – [30:16]

As the episode draws to a close, Joe thanks his guests and audience, ensuring listeners are eager for the next installment.

• Prizes Awarded:
  The Civilian team receives RCA portable radios, while the Navy team is awarded a year's subscription to Sports Magazine ([09:48]).

• Final Words:
  Joe encourages listeners to stay tuned for future episodes, promising more sports quizzes, engaging stories, and insightful interviews:
  “This is Joe DiMaggio reminding you to be a good sport. Goodbye” ([30:16]).

The episode wraps up with a signature signature sign-off, leaving listeners nostalgic and satisfied.

---

Key Takeaways

• Engaging Content: The blend of interactive quiz segments and in-depth interviews provides a balanced and entertaining listening experience.

• Community Interaction: Listener participation through letters and live questions fosters a sense of community and inclusivity.

• Behind-the-Scenes Insights: Stories like that of Gus March offer a rare glimpse into the unsung heroes of sports teams, highlighting the importance of roles beyond the athletes themselves.

• Humor and Camaraderie: The lighthearted exchanges between Joe, Jack, and Lou infuse the show with warmth and personality, making it relatable and enjoyable.

---

Notable Quotes

• Joe DiMaggio on New TV Show Launch:
  “[02:28] Joe DiMaggio: Yes, as a matter of fact, my first television show just went on a few hours ago on NBC.”

• Lou Effratt on Athletic Skills:
  “[25:07] Bill Lally: I was not a good athlete, but I was an athlete.”

• Gus March on Team Discipline:
  “[18:13] Gus March: Listen, you blockheads, I've had enough. [...] No more accidents.”

• Joe DiMaggio on Player Injuries:
  “[20:54] Joe DiMaggio: That's a true story too, ladies and gentlemen, because I happened to see it.”

---

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio masterfully captures the essence of classic radio shows, blending sports enthusiasm with personal stories and audience engagement. Whether you're a seasoned baseball fan or a newcomer to the sport, Joe DiMaggio's charming hosting and the insightful contributions from guests like Lou Effratt make for an unforgettable listening experience.

Transcript

[Grainger Advertiser]

If you're a maintenance supervisor for a commercial property, you've had to deal with everything from leaky faucets to flickering light bulbs. But nothing's worse than that ancient boiler that's lived in the building since the day it was built 50 years ago. It's enough to make anyone lose their cool. That's where Grainger comes in. With industrial grade products and dependable, fast delivery, Grainger can help with any challenge, from worn out components to everyday necessities. Call clickgrainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Joe DiMaggio]

NBC presents the Joe DiMaggio Show. Starring the Yankee Clipper himself, Joe DiMaggio. Featuring Jack Barry with the Kids vs. Grown Up Sports Quiz with Joe DiMaggio's personal answer to the listener, a reporter's exciting story about this week's famous guest. And now here he is, the star of our Transcribe show, the center fielder of the world champion New York Yankees and one of baseball's all time greats. Here he is in person, chosen Joe DiMaggio.

Thank you and hello everyone. It's always a pleasure to spend this half hour here with you at NBC and I'm sure you'll enjoy the sports features we've lined up for you this week. As usual, my radio partner Jack Barry is going to help me keep things moving. The first thing we're going to do is answer some of those letters you folks have sent in. Who sent the first one, Jack?

[Jack Barry]

Ms. Elizabeth Goth of Mallon, Texas, who writes and says so many outfielders are injured as a result of crashing into the walls of Boulder parks that I've often wondered why they don't use rubber padding on the walls. Seems to me it would cut way down on painful injuries.

[Joe DiMaggio]

Well, that is very true, Jack. However, there is one ballpark that they have rubber paddings around the wall and that is in Brooklyn. To my knowledge, we don't have any in the American League. However, we also we have the gravel road there, which signifies, of course, we're getting pretty close to the wall. When that happens, while we generally pull up.

[Jack Barry]

Thank you very much, Joe. A letter now from Mr. Samuel Hart of Phoenix, Arizona, who writes when a player is on the road, does his team foot the bill for all his expenses?

[Joe DiMaggio]

Well, they put the bill for quite a bit, however, for our laundry and cleaning and the phone bills. Why we have to go for that ourselves.

[Jack Barry]

Guess you don't make too many phone calls then.

[Joe DiMaggio]

Not too many.

[Jack Barry]

Mr. Joseph Brownlee of Rochester, New York writes to you and Says, I read in the papers that you're starting a new television show. Is it true?

[Joe DiMaggio]

Yes, as a matter of fact, my first television show just went on a few hours ago on NBC. And I got a big kick out of doing it, Jack. And I guess I'll get a bigger kick maybe as the time goes by.

[Jack Barry]

Yes, indeed, and as a matter of fact, your show will be on every Saturday from now on 5:30 in the afternoon for a long time. Sponsored by Lionel Trains. Well, I've taken care of our letter answering session for this week, but Joe will continue to answer the most interesting letters from our listeners on future programs. And so if you have a question you'd like to ask Joe DiMaggio, send your letter to Joe DiMaggio care of NBC, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City.

[Joe DiMaggio]

Well, I always enjoy answering some of those letters, Jack, and I'd like to thank everyone who took the trouble in sending them in. Thank you very much.

[Jack Barry]

Thank you, Joe.

[Joe DiMaggio]

Once again it's time for our sports quiz. And in just a moment we'll find out who the experts are this week. But first, Jack, how about telling us the rules of the game?

[Jack Barry]

Well, Joe, two teams are lined up on stage and they're going to play a short three inning baseball game. And for every question answered correctly, that team will score one run. At the end of the quiz, the team scoring the most runs is declared the winner. I'll pitch the questions and Joe's pose, you umpire.

[Joe DiMaggio]

Right, Jack. Let's play ball.

[Jack Barry]

Today we're going to have a little change of pace, Joe. Instead of the kids versus the grownups, on stage today are civilians versus the Navy. Representing the civilians, Ms. Jean Carlin. Representing the civilians too, Mr. Bill Lally. And for the Navy, it's Edward Whitbread, hospital corpsman, first class. And Mead Cameron Gay Mineman, second class. And here we go. Gene Collin, you're up first. For the civilians, Robert Roth, Charlie Ruffing and Harold Grange all have the same nickname. Can you tell us what it is?

[Gene Carlin]

I don't know, Joe.

[Joe DiMaggio]

They're all better known as Red.

[Jack Barry]

Oh, yes, you know now, Gene?

[Gene Carlin]

Yes, I do.

[Jack Barry]

Too bad. No spoil on. We continue now to the Navy, Edward Rutbread. Ed, in what sport would you find the terms catch, sloop, cutter and yawl? Our organist is going to play a song to help you. What do you say, Ed?

[Joe DiMaggio]

Feeling Sailing is Correct. And of course, the song was Red Sails in the Sunset.

[Jack Barry]

Boy, if you hadn't gotten that one, you'd been in bad shape.

[Lou Ephrat]

I hit it before Bill.

[Jack Barry]

Bill Lolly onto the civilians. Now, on what National League team would you find these players? Marty Marion, Del Rice and Enos Slaughter, St. Louis Cardinals.

[Joe DiMaggio]

The St. Louis Connells is the answer.

[Jack Barry]

And now it's on to the second member of our Navy team, Meade Kamonier. Meade, who is the new men's amateur tennis champion? Is it Tom Brown, Budge Patty or Arthur Larson? Much Fatty?

[Joe DiMaggio]

Oh, I'm sorry. The answer's Arthur Lawson.

[Jack Barry]

And the score at the end of the first inning of play is all tied up. The civilians have one run and the Navy has one run. Okay, here we go into the second inning of play. Let's see what happens in this inning. Right back to you. Gene Carlin was Glen Davis one of Army's famous touchdown twins, known as Mr. Inside or Mr. Outside. And this song will help you. What do you say, Gene?

[Gene Carlin]

Outside.

[Joe DiMaggio]

Outside is right. And of course the song was Baby, It's Cold Outside.

[Jack Barry]

Right back to hospital. Corpsman First Class Edward Whitbread. Is the Vanderbilt cup awarded in hockey, football or automobile racing?

[Joe DiMaggio]

Automobile racing. Automobile racing is correct.

[Jack Barry]

Bill Lally for the civilians. Sandy Sadler and Willie Pep recently met for the third time to decide the featherweight championship of the world. Which of these fighters now holds the title? Sandy Sadler.

[Joe DiMaggio]

Sandy Sadler is the right answer.

[Jack Barry]

And the score is now 3 to 2 in favor of the civilians. And me, Cannon Gates of the Navy. You can still tie it up. Imagine for a moment that you're at a baseball game. The count on the batter is 3 and 2. After hearing this next song. Tell us what happens on the very next pitch. Does the batter get a hit? Does he walk or does he strike out? Here's the song. What do you say, Maiden?

[Joe DiMaggio]

He takes a walk.

He takes a walk. That's correct. And the song was let's take an old fashioned walk.

[Jack Barry]

And the score at the end of the second inning of play, it's still all tied. Three for the Navy, three for the civilians. All right, here we go. This is the third and final inning. Now we're going to find out who knows more about sports today, whether it be the Navy or the civilians. Right back to Gene Carlin. Gene, what man on the baseball field is known as the traffic cop? Is it the second baseman, the umpire behind the plate, or the third base coach?

[Gene Carlin]

Third base coach.

[Joe DiMaggio]

The answer is a third base coach. And believe me, he has to direct plenty of traffic.

[Jack Barry]

And the civilians are in the lead by a score of 4 to 3. Edward Whitbread, the professional football team of Los Angeles and the football team of Fordham University both have the same nickname. What is that nickname? Ramsay.

[Joe DiMaggio]

Rams is correct.

[Jack Barry]

The score is tied again at 4 to 4. Mr. Lally, Bill Lolly for the Civilians. Giant pitcher Magaly recently pitched 45 consecutive scoreless innings. We want you to tell us his first name. It's a rather unusual name for a man. So here's a song which will help you. What do you say, Mr. Lally?

[Joe DiMaggio]

Sal. Sal is the name we're after and the song was My Gal Sal.

[Jack Barry]

The Civilians are in the lead by a score of 5 to 4. Here is the final pitch of our last inning. Mead came and gay for the Navy. It's up to you to see if you can tie the score. What college football team does Herman Hickman coach?

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Yale.

[Joe DiMaggio]

Yale is correct.

[Jack Barry]

And so the score at the end of the third and final thing of play is all tied up and we're going to have to go into a tie breaking question. Here's how we do it. We ask each member of each team to give one answer to a rather difficult question. And the team which comes the closest with the answer, the closest answer will of course win. Now here is our question for today. Bob Feller holds the major league record for the most strikeouts in one season. How many men did he strike out to set that record? Gene Carlin, what is your guess?

[Gene Carlin]

35.

[Jack Barry]

Edward Whitbread for the Navy, what do you think? 212. Bill Lally for the civilians.

[Bill Lally]

258.

[Jack Barry]

And finally, Mead Kamengay for the Navy, 138. And now I'm going to ask Joe DiMaggio to give us the correct answer.

[Joe DiMaggio]

Bob struck out 348 men and he set that record in 1946.

[Jack Barry]

And so the closest score or the closest guess was given to us by Bill Lally. He said 258. He is representing the civilian team. The Civilians beat the Navy this week. Congratulations to each member of the civilian team for winning this hard fought victory today. And because you did win, we have a wonderful gift for you. Each of you on the winning civilian team will get a handsome RCA portable radio. And we got something for you losers too, in the Navy. Each of you will receive a year's subscription to Sport magazine.

[Joe DiMaggio]

And I'd like to thank the members of both teams for being on the quiz. You all did a fine job and thanks for joining us.

[Jack Barry]

Each week Joe DiMaggio invites a famous writer to tell his favorite sports story on our program. This week's story will be told by Lou Efrat, sports writer of the New York Times. And here he is Lou Ethrack.

[Joe DiMaggio]

Hello, Lou.

[Jack Barry]

Lou, on your last visit to our.

[Joe DiMaggio]

Show, you said you were going to take some singing lessons. How'd you make out?

[Bill Lally]

Well, I still have the same old foghorn voice, Joe. Guess I'd better stick to sports writing. But I really think I should take some lessons in how to make predictions for the baseball season.

[Joe DiMaggio]

Did you guess it wrong again this year, Lou?

[Bill Lally]

Did I?

[Joe DiMaggio]

Football season just around the corner, you know, and so maybe you can redeem yourself.

[Bill Lally]

You mean you'd really like to hear my football predictions?

[Joe DiMaggio]

Sure, Lou. Go right ahead.

[Bill Lally]

Well, get ready for another fiasco. You know, in baseball, I was fairly right, and I still think I'm right about the Yankees. I said it would be the Yankees in a squeak, in a very tough squeak in the American League. And despite the fact that you're sitting right alongside of me, Joe, I still think I'm right. I think your club will win the American League pennant. I might have been right there. However, in the National League, I said on this very same NBC program that the Dodgers would win in a walk, and, gosh, how wrong I've been there. However, let's go back to football. In the college ranks, I think in the east, it looks to me at this moment, from the point of vantage that I have, that it will be between army and Cornell for supremacy in this section. In the south, the SMU with Kyle Rote has a chance to be outstanding in the far west, it looks like a toss up between California and Southern California.

[Joe DiMaggio]

That sounds pretty good to me, Lou. By the way, you hold some kind of record for covering football games, don't you?

[Bill Lally]

That's right, Joe. In 1948, I believe it was, I covered 44 college and professional football games in a single season. As far as I know, and this might sound a little corny, but no other reporter can make that statement.

[Joe DiMaggio]

Well, that was really a marathon, Lou. And now we'd like to hear your favorite story, Joe.

[Bill Lally]

My favorite story is about Gus Mosch, the trainer for your club, the New York Yankees. You know, a trainer is almost as important to a ball club as its leading home run hitter. He's the first one to show up at the ballpark in the morning and the last one to leave at night. And he spends that long day dispensing psychology and wisdom as well as first aid. Gus has meant a lot to the Yankees, and he's regarded as one of the best in his difficult trade. And now, Joe, I'd like you to hear a few episodes from Gus March's career.

[Lou Ephrat]

Gus March. Known him for years, ever since he was chief masseur at a famous health club here in New York. Matter of fact, that's where Chick Meehan of the New York University met him, too. Chick realized that there was magic in Gus's hands. Magic that took the kink out of strained and painful muscles, straightened out twisted sacroiliacs, healed ugly bruises, and gave first aid and comfort to cracked bones. So Chick went to him one day.

[Gus March]

Gus, I'll put it to you straight. How would you like a new job?

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Well, I don't know.

[Gus March]

You like sports?

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Sure thing. I like sports fine. Almost as much as I like putting on minstrel shows.

[Gus March]

Being trainer for a football team is no minstrel show, Gus. But it's almost as much fun and.

[Jack Barry]

A heck of a lot noise here.

[Gus March]

I'll guarantee that.

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Sounds interesting.

[Gus March]

In all fairness, Gus, I'd better warn you. Football players aren't easy to handle. They're temperamental, they're stubborn, and they're fond of collecting black eyes and broken collarbones for themselves.

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Oh, I guess I could take care of them. All right.

[Gus March]

Then it's a deal. You've got yourself a new job, Gus.

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Well, let's shake on that. When do I start?

[Lou Ephrat]

Gus Much was in sports now, and he was really devoted to that football team of his. Now, Gus isn't a doctor, but he always works with a doctor. And when the doc at NYU saw what he could do, he kept asking Gus to come downtown and treat a patient of his. Gus was so busy with his football team that he kept putting it off and making up one excuse after another until finally the doctor asked Chick me in to intervene. Sure enough, Chick did.

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Want to see me. Chick?

[Gus March]

Yeah, Gus. Now, look, be a nice fellow and see this patient of Doc's, will you?

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Well, I've been meaning to, but I've been kind of busy.

[Gus March]

I know, but the doc's in here every half hour crying on my shoulder. Now, this patient of his has got a bad sacroiliac and can't work unless he gets some kind of relief.

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Guess I ought to see him then, huh?

[Gus March]

Do that, will you, Gus. The guy's some kind of big shot, and the doc says that you're the only one that can help him.

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Okay, I'll see him tomorrow.

[Gus March]

Today, Gus can't today, for crying out loud. Why not?

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Raining.

[Gus March]

What's that got to do with it?

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Listen, Chick, when it rains, my boys all come down with sore muscles. They got sore muscles, I got to be around to take care of them. So I'll see Doc's patient tomorrow. The boys come first.

[Lou Ephrat]

So the next day, Gus treated the doc's patient. And Chickman was curious. Who was this big shot who so urgently needed Gus's kid?

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Oh, I don't know, Chick. Some fella by the name of Cohn used to put on minstrel shows. Nice fella.

[Gus March]

What'd you fix him up?

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Oh, sure. That's a lot of baloney, though, about this guy being a big shot.

[Gus March]

Oh, how come?

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Guy's just some kind of actor. Nice fellow, though.

[Gus March]

What show is he in?

[Mead Cameron Gay]

I think he said it was some play about President of the United States.

[Gus March]

Gus, this show, was it called I'd Rather Be Right?

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Yeah. Yeah, that sounds like it. I guess he doesn't have any big part in it, but sure is a nice fellow. Gus, do you know who your patient is? Yeah, Mr. Cone. Cone, my foot.

[Gus March]

Your patient is just about the greatest actor in America.

[Mead Cameron Gay]

His name happens to be George M. Cohan. That a fact? Well, better be getting back to my boys, Chick. But as I said, that cone fell. He sure a nice fella.

[Lou Ephrat]

Well, I guess it wasn't a surprise to anyone when the New York Yankees signed Gus as their trainer in 1944. Gus liked the Yankees and the Yankees liked Gus. Now, that's important. A player's got to have a lot of faith in his trainer. And the trainer. Well, you take the case of Johnny Lindell.

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Okay, Johnny. On the table for a rub down.

[Gus March]

Take it easy around my ribs, huh, Gus?

[Mead Cameron Gay]

What's not a kid? I don't know.

[Gus March]

I'm just a little sore, that's all.

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Now, let's take a look.

[Gene Carlin]

Oh.

[Gus March]

Oh, what is that, Gus?

[Mead Cameron Gay]

You got a broken rib, son. We gotta get you to the doctor.

[Gus March]

Oh, no, wait a minute, Gus, please, I gotta play that game tomorrow. I just gotta.

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Oh, no, son. It's out of the question.

[Gus March]

Well, look, couldn't you just sort of strap me up temporarily just so I can play the one game?

[Mead Cameron Gay]

One game doesn't matter a heck of a lot, Johnny.

[Gus March]

Oh, but it does. This is awful important to me, Gus.

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Well, I suppose I could fix you up temporarily, Johnny, but you know I can't stop the pain. That doesn't matter.

[Gus March]

I can stand the pain, but I gotta play that game. Now, how about it, Gus?

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Oh, gone you, Johnny. I'm a dope for even listening to you.

[Gus March]

But you'll do it, won't you, Gus?

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Yeah, I'll do it if it's that important to you, Johnny. But as soon as you get off that field tomorrow, you go to the hospital here.

[Gus March]

Sure, sure, Gus. You won't tell anyone, huh?

[Mead Cameron Gay]

If I did, they'd have me up at the doctor's having my head examined.

[Gus March]

Hey, you know something, Gus? You're one swell guy.

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Ah, shut up and let me strap up that rib.

[Lou Ephrat]

Gus Mars kept his secret. And Johnny Lindell played that game and played well. You see, Gus knew ball players, and he knew that playing that one game was better medicine than any doctor could prescribe for young Johnny. But last year. Oh, my aching Yankee back. What a nightmare was 1949 for Gus March and that brittle group of men who call themselves the New York Yankees.

[Jack Barry]

Hey, hey, hey, Gus. I twisted my ankle sliding. Second. You fix me up, huh?

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Oh, no. You're the 53rd guy that's come in here with something busted. What's the matter with you guys? Your bones made of glass or something?

[Lou Ephrat]

But the Yankee casualty list continued to mount. 65 injuries. 70, 71, 72. And finally, an angry Gus March assembled his players and laid down the law.

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Listen, you blockheads, I've had enough. I'm sick of keeping you guys together with chewing gum and Scotch tape. From now on, no more accidents, and that's an order. The next guy that comes in here limping, I'll. I'll send him to the morgue, dead or alive. You hear me? No more accidents.

[Lou Ephrat]

And shortly after that, the troubled dreams of a certain Mr. Casey Stengel, occupation, manager of a certain baseball team, were interrupted by a telephone call from a frantic Gus March.

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Hello, Casey? This is Gus Casey. We got another injury. Yeah, another one. That makes it number 73. And this one's a beaut. You know what this dumb jerk does? He walks into a parking meter and breaks two ribs. Why, you'll tire and feather him. Now, wait a minute, Casey. Don't get excited. What? Who is he? I'm calling from the hospital. It's me.

[Bill Lally]

Well, Joe, that's my story.

[Joe DiMaggio]

And, Lou, we certainly enjoyed it.

[Bill Lally]

You know, Gus really played a big part in keeping the Yankees together along last year. And I mean that literally. You know, Joe, we newspaper men drop in to see him pretty often, too. In fact, if my predictions don't improve, I'll be giving him plenty of my business.

[Joe DiMaggio]

Well, thanks for that story, Lou. And believe me, as one of his star patients, I can tell you how valuable Gus really is. And now I'd like to present the trainer of the New York Yankees, Gus March. Gus, welcome to our show.

[J]

Thanks, Joe. It's nice to be here.

[Joe DiMaggio]

Well, Gus, you've trained football Players as well as baseball players. Which job was toughest?

[J]

Well, Joe, if football were to be played every day, I would say the football would be the tough of the two. We have a man injured. We have a whole week to get him back in shape. Now, you take baseball. As you know, we play every day. We don't have a whole week. You only have a few hours to get the boys back in shape. So therefore, I would think that baseball is tougher because you haven't got the time to do your work.

[Joe DiMaggio]

And what's the most common injury to baseball players, Gus?

[J]

Joe, you should answer that one. Joe has more strawberries from the fly than any man I know of. I would say the strawberry is the most common injury to you people who don't know what a strawberry is. You just get the high torn off you every time you slide into base. Joe is full of them.

[Joe DiMaggio]

And believe me, because many a sleepless night I have spent proven. I guess the Yankees kept you pretty busy last year, didn't they, Gus?

[J]

Well, they sure did, Joe. As you know, we had 74 injuries. Now, I'm not sure whether we can really count the last injury as being part of the season. You see, we had 73 injuries. I was the 73rd. And I'm gonna let it up to you to let me know whether 74th is really a season injury. You see, just as Tommy Hendricks caught that foul ball to end the bell game to wind up the season and we knew that we won the pennant, Bill Dickey was so delighted, he jumped off a seat, hit his head on the roof of the dugout and collapsed on the floor.

[Joe DiMaggio]

That's a true story too, ladies and gentlemen, because I happened to see it. So I would say that was part of the season that goes with the yell by. Don't you think so, Gus?

[J]

Yes, I guess we'll have to include old Bill and I. Gus, I always.

[Joe DiMaggio]

Enjoy hearing you tell about your Interview with Joe McCont when you first came to work for the Yankees. How about letting the audience in on it, Gus?

[J]

He says, what do you know about psychology? Well, I said, Joe, I said I'd study it in college, and I've applied it during the years I've been training. Okay, he said, I'm gonna see how good you are now. He's gonna tell you a little story one day. He said, I get a hold of Franco. Study. And I said, crow gehrik is dying over there. Face, Face. He hasn't got any pets. He's lackadaisical. He's sligmatic. In his movements, because I want you to wake him up. Now, this was the time that Garrick was in the prime of life. CRO said, he says, okay, Joe, tell me what to do and I'll be glad to do it. He said, okay. He said, I'll tell you what I want you to do. Every time he says, you see a ball come to you, grab a hold of that ball. He says, throw it to face base. Throw it as hard as you can. He said, knock Garrick off the bag with her. See another ball coming, pick it up. He says, throw it high, throw it low. I don't care how you throw as long as you throw it hard. So he says, okay, Joey, so I'll be glad to do it. He said, but supposing Garrick gets mad at me? He says, what do we care if he gets mad? He said, as long as we wake him up. So he says, are you okay? Do you get the point? I said, well, sure. I said, if I was Gehrig, I'd get angry myself and I'd throw the ball back out to Cosetti. Oh, he says, you've missed the point entirely. There was nothing wrong with Gehrig. Crusetti was the guy that was dying.

[Joe DiMaggio]

Gus, besides being a trainer, you've. You also done some coaching, haven't you?

[J]

Yes, I coach swimming at Manhattan College. I coached up there for about 12 years during the time I trained the other sport.

[Joe DiMaggio]

How'd your teams make out?

[J]

Well, we. We won the Catholic College championships one year and had two individual champions in the Eastern Collegiate Swimming association meet.

[Joe DiMaggio]

And now, Gus, tell us something about your new school for trainers.

[J]

Joe, I'm very proud of that school. This will be my third year. This school will open January 4th in Barto, Florida, and will run through to February 8th. It's in conjunction with a baseball school down there run by Ed Lopat. Our pitcher for the New York Yankees. Art Passarello, has an umpire school, and I conduct a trainer school.

[Joe DiMaggio]

We hope you're a school at the district, and I'd like to thank you for being with us this week, but don't go away because we're going to need you again in just a moment. Thanks again, Gus. March program.

[Jack Barry]

You answered all those letters which our listeners were nice enough to send in. Now I'm going out into the studio with a portable microphone and give the audience here a chance to pitch their questions at you and at Gus Marsh and at Lou Ephrat.

[Joe DiMaggio]

We'll start pitching. Jack, we're ready.

[Jack Barry]

Your name, sir? My Name is William Fine. Where are you from, Mr. Fine? I'm from Flushing, New York, sir. Who is your question for? My question is for Gus Moore. What's the question? What's the procedure when a player is injured? What's the first thing that's done?

[J]

Well, it depends, of course, what the injury is. If a man is unconscious when I get on the field, we don't move him. We don't know whether he has a broken neck, which could be. So we try to bring the consciousness first. And we're always safe in applying ice. Ice is the first order, regardless of what the injury is.

[Jack Barry]

Thank you very much, Gus. Your name, sir?

[Joe DiMaggio]

George Hall.

[Jack Barry]

Where are you from, sir? Brockville, Canada. Who's your question for, Lou? Effort. What's the question?

[Lou Ephrat]

Were you ever an athlete?

[Bill Lally]

Louis Maggio must have put you up to that one. I made every second team in the history of Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn.

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Second team.

[Bill Lally]

F rat they called me. I played baseball, football, soccer, swimming. I was not a good athlete, but I was an athlete.

[Jack Barry]

Thank you, Lou. Your name, sir? James O'Dell. Where are you from?

[Bill Lally]

St. Louis.

[Jack Barry]

And who's your question for? Are baseball players prohibited from flying in airplanes during the season?

[Joe DiMaggio]

No, they are not prohibited. As a matter of fact, there are several ball clubs that fly today. However, if an individual wants to fly, he can do that on his own. He should get the consent of the management. That is the front office.

[Jack Barry]

Thank you, Joe. Your name, please?

[Gene Carlin]

Mrs. L. Dagno.

[Jack Barry]

Where are you from?

[Gene Carlin]

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

[Jack Barry]

Who's your question for August? What's the question?

[Gene Carlin]

I'd like to know what's the best way to reduce.

[J]

Well, reducing. It depends, of course, on a patient's age. We would advise both exercise and diet. The dial. I would cut out all starchy foods such as bread, potatoes, noodles and so on. I would do enough walking and if you were young enough, I would do a little light exercises. Fast, light exercises. Reduces slow, heavy exercise. Increase weight. And of course, the two exercises which are most important is to be able to shake your head from side to side and say no. To refuse that last portion and take your two hands, push it against the table and get yourself away from that table.

[Jack Barry]

And if that doesn't work, I recommend a good strong girdle. Your name, sir?

[Bill Lally]

Eddie Condon.

[Jack Barry]

Where are you from?

[Joe DiMaggio]

New York City.

[Jack Barry]

And what instrument do you play? I mean, none whatsoever. Who's your question for, Lou?

[Joe DiMaggio]

Effort.

[Jack Barry]

What's the question, Lou? Is it true that reporters get a lot of free tickets for baseball games?

[Bill Lally]

No, it's not true. We don't get a lot of free tickets. Within reason, the front officers will let us have what we want. By that I mean two or four. If you get beyond that, you're in trouble.

[Jack Barry]

Thank you, Luke. Your name, please? Georgia Wilde. Where are you from? Los Angeles, California. And who's your question for, Mr. Mr. Marsh? What's the question? Can baseball players take a lot of pain or are they a lot of.

[J]

Well, I don't think that there's a man that's in any kind of sport that could be classed as a sissies. They've got to be pretty good rugged individuals to play any sport.

[Jack Barry]

Thank you. Your name, sir?

[Joe DiMaggio]

Jerry laberge.

[Jack Barry]

Where are you from?

[Gus March]

Montreal, Canada.

[Jack Barry]

And who's your question?

[Gus March]

New effort.

[Jack Barry]

What is it? Where can you go after you become a sports reporter?

[Bill Lally]

That depends on the individual. As far as I'm concerned. I'm very happy where I am now. If I weren't riding sports now, I don't know what I'd be doing. I'd be going to these sports events myself. I'd pay to get in. I'd sit in the back. I'm doing all these things and I'm right up there in front. I love it.

[Joe DiMaggio]

Thank you.

[Jack Barry]

Lower. Your name, sir? Frank Hall. Where are you from, Frank? Salt Lake City, Utah. And who's your question for, Mr. Morris? How do you handle a charley horse?

[J]

Well, a Charlie horse is a contracted muscle with a hemorrhage underneath it. Now, the facing we do for Charlie Horse is to apply ice. As I said before, 24 hours later, we apply heat and mild massage. And we go through a stretching motion. We stretch the muscle, you see, and the heat and the mild massage gets away. That hemorrhage and the Charlie horse reduces. It's nothing more but a contracted muscle.

[Jack Barry]

Last Charlie horse I had came in third and paid 220.

[J]

As long as you don't get those Charlie horses between the years, it's okay.

[Jack Barry]

Your name, please?

[Gene Carlin]

Margaret Herney.

[Jack Barry]

Where are you from?

[Gene Carlin]

Newton, Massachusetts.

[Jack Barry]

Who's your question for?

[Gene Carlin]

Joe DiMaggio.

[Jack Barry]

What's the question?

[Gene Carlin]

I've often seen your name in the columns. Linked with a man named George Solitaire. Who is he?

[Joe DiMaggio]

You mean you said a man?

[Gene Carlin]

Yeah.

[Joe DiMaggio]

That's certainly a different twist. But George Solitaire happens to be a very good friend of mine. Lives here in New York City. We live together. We have an apartment, one of the hotels. And he happens to be in the ticket agency business. Just dear friend of mine.

[Jack Barry]

Joe, is there any truth to the rumor that George Salitier is sometimes called the Yogi Bed era of the ticket brokers. Joe it's about all the time we.

[Mead Cameron Gay]

Have for questions in the studio audience today.

[Joe DiMaggio]

Well, thanks for your questions folks. We certainly enjoyed answering them.

[J]

And Lou Ephrat reporting that story about Gus Marsh.

[Jack Barry]

We'd like you to accept this wonderful million proof 12 and a half inch RCA television set.

[Joe DiMaggio]

And I'd like to thank Gus Mor and Lou Ephrat for joining us this week. Many thanks for coming down. I'm afraid we'll have to wrap our show for this week, but I hope you'll all be able to join us again next week when we'll have our sports quiz. A report is exciting story about our sports guest interviews and answers to you, our listeners. So until then, this is Joe DiMaggio reminding you to be a good sport. Goodbye.

NBC has presented the Joe DiMaggio shows starring one of baseball's all time greats, Joe DiMaggio and featuring Jack Barry. Join us again next week at the same time over the same NBC station for another entertaining and interesting half hour of sports. In this week's dramatic cast, you heard Charles Irving, Mantle Kramer and Jackson Beck. Music was by Arlo sports consultant Gene Shore. The transcribed Joe DiMaggio show is written by Mike Oppenheimer and Gene Gurley and directed by Dan Enright. This is Lionel Rico speaking.