Ellery Queen: The World Series Crime (Encore) (EP4708)

Summary

Summary of "Ellery Queen: The World Series Crime (Encore)" (EP4708)

Podcast Information

• Title: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
• Host: Adam Graham, Radio Detective Podcasts
• Episode: Ellery Queen: The World Series Crime (Encore) (EP4708)
• Release Date: May 20, 2025

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Introduction

In this thrilling encore episode of "The Adventures of Ellery Queen," host Adam Graham presents "The World Series Crime," originally aired on October 2, 1943. Set against the high-stakes backdrop of the World Series, the story intertwines sports, mystery, and detective work, promising listeners an engaging blend of suspense and baseball drama.

Plot Overview

The episode centers around a pivotal World Series between the Eagles and the Larks. The Eagles have won the first three games, but the Larks rallied to take the fourth and fifth games, leading to a decisive sixth game where the series could either conclude or extend to a final, game seven.

Key Plot Points:

• Sparky Sparks, the Eagles' star catcher, has been performing exceptionally well in the first three games but suddenly falls into a slump during the subsequent matches.
• Mr. Dayton, owner of the Eagles, becomes concerned about Sparky's performance and suspects foul play, hinting at connections with gamblers.
• Sparky's crucial baseball bat, affectionately named "Uncle Sam," is stolen from his apartment, jeopardizing the team's chances in the series.
• Desperate to salvage the World Series, Mr. Dayton seeks the expertise of detective Ellery Queen to uncover the mystery behind the missing bat.

Key Characters

• Ellery Queen ([07:07]): The astute gentleman detective leading the investigation.
• Nicky Porter ([05:29]): Ellery's resourceful secretary who assists in the case.
• Mr. Dayton ([06:22]): Owner of the Eagles baseball team, deeply invested in winning the series.
• Mac McLoon ([04:59]): Manager of the Eagles, under pressure to secure victory.
• Sparky Sparks ([06:22]): The star catcher whose performance is critical to the team's success.
• Lily Sparks ([06:30]): Sparky's wife, whose actions become central to the mystery.
• Pegoli Pigoli ([15:31]): A gambler with vested interests in the outcome of the series.
• Collins ([17:22]): Manager of the opposing Larks team.
• Buck Fisher ([19:01]): First baseman for the Eagles and a key player.

Investigation

Ellery Queen delves into the mystery by interviewing key individuals connected to Sparky Sparks and the stolen bat. The investigation reveals that Sparky owed money to gambler Pegoli Pigoli, who had previously attempted to influence Sparky's performance.

Notable Interactions:

• Initial Inquiry ([10:40]): Ellery meets with Mr. Dayton and Mac McLoon, establishing the urgency of finding the stolen bat to ensure the team's victory.

  Ellery Queen ([07:07]): "Thank you, Ernest Chappell, and good evening, ladies and gentlemen. In tonight's story, Nicky and I quite unexpectedly become involved in the crucial game of the World Series."

• Apartment Visit ([12:13]): Ellery and Nicky visit Sparky's apartment, meeting Lily Sparks, who inadvertently provides clues about the visitors prior to the bat's disappearance.

  Nicky Porter ([13:01]): "Reckon so, Ms. Porter. I wasn't counting Mr. Dayton."

• Suspects Identified ([29:08]): Through meticulous deduction, Ellery narrows down the suspects to four primary individuals: Mr. Dayton, Pegoli Pigoli, Collins, and Buck Fisher.

  Ellery Queen ([27:05]): "But how was the bat taken out of the apartment under Spock's nose without Spock seeing it?"

Resolution

The investigation culminates in the revelation that Lily Sparks, Sparky's wife, orchestrated the theft of the bat. Her motive stemmed from a misguided attempt to end Sparky's gambling habits by sabotaging his performance in the World Series.

Key Moments:

• Confrontation ([29:15]): Ellery confronts Lily Sparks, who confesses to her actions, explaining her intentions to help Sparky overcome his gambling issues.

  Ellery Queen ([29:22]): "Will, will you come here, please?"

  Lily Sparks ([29:26]): "Well, gee, I thought if Spocky lost his pet bat, he'd lose his batting edge."

• Recovery of the Bat ([22:06]): The bat is found in Mr. Dayton's golf bag just in time for Sparky to regain his form and secure the victory in the final game.

  Ellery Queen ([22:27]): "We've got it."

  Mr. Dayton ([22:33]): "The bat. Pocky, your own bat."

Guest Commentary

Guests Ken Sears and Art Flynn join as armchair detectives, providing their insights into the mystery.

• Ken Sears ([23:27]): Highlights his expertise as a New York Yankees catcher and son of a renowned umpire, emphasizing the intricate knowledge required to follow such a case.

  Sparky Sparks ([23:27]): "Our first guest is Ken Sears, catcher of the New York Yankees and son of Ziggy Sears, famous National League umpire."

• Art Flynn ([24:01]): As the business editor of the Sporting News, Flynn discusses the impact of the World Series and the importance of media coverage.

  Sparky Sparks ([24:01]): "Our second guest isn't a ballplayer, but he knows baseball inside out."

Host Insights

Post-episode, host Adam Graham provides a critical analysis of the episode's script, particularly addressing the realism of the betting scenarios presented.

Key Points:

• Betting Rules Critique ([33:23]): Adam points out inaccuracies in the portrayal of baseball betting rules, referencing MLB's Rule 21, which prohibits players from betting on games in which they have a vested interest.

  Adam Graham ([33:23]): "Rule 21...Any player or person connected with a club who shall offer or give any gift or reward...shall be declared ineligible..."

• Character Assistance Commentary ([33:23]): He questions the involvement of Inspector Queen and Sergeant Veeley, suggesting that such collaborative efforts might not align with typical homicide investigations in New York City at the time.

  Adam Graham ([33:23]): "I find it kind of weird that Inspector Queen and Veeley come along to help Ellery in the investigation."

Listener Feedback

The episode features positive listener engagement, with Sarah expressing her appreciation for the podcast's role during her commutes.

Sarah ([Timestamp not available]): "I've always been a huge detective fan... your show makes great company. Thanks from Sarah."

Conclusion

"Ellery Queen: The World Series Crime" successfully blends the excitement of baseball with the intrigue of a classic detective story. Through Ellery Queen's sharp investigative skills, the episode delivers a satisfying resolution that underscores themes of loyalty, desperation, and redemption. Guests Ken Sears and Art Flynn enhance the narrative with their specialized insights, while host Adam Graham provides thoughtful reflections that add depth to the listening experience.

Listeners are encouraged to share their thoughts and continue tuning in for more riveting adventures with Ellery Queen in future episodes.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Ellery Queen ([07:07]): "Strike one, Sparky."
• Nicky Porter ([13:01]): "All right, but my dear McClough, he's had half a dozen chances to win the Series."
• Sparky Sparks ([23:27]): "Are we in time, Mr. McLoon?"
• Ellery Queen ([27:16]): "Wrong, dad, Sparks said one thing did go out. Remember Dayton's golf bag?"

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Subscribe and Engage: Stay updated with "The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio" by subscribing through your favorite podcast app or visiting greatdetectives.net. Engage with host Adam Graham on Twitter at @radiodetectives and join the community on Facebook at facebook.com/radiodetectives.

Transcript

[Adam Graham]

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[Ernest Chappell]

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[Adam Graham]

Hello, this is Adam Graham. I hope you're enjoying this week's baseball themed encores. As a reminder, any offers or information contained in these episodes is not valid unless it's currently reflected on the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio website. And remember to listen to the Amazing World of Radio starting on Wednesday 28 May for the summer of Robert Louis Stevenson. Now enjoy another baseball related encore. Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham. If you have a comment, email it to me. Box Thirteenreatetectives.net Follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and become one of our friends on Facebook facebook.com radiodetectives well, before we do get started, I do want to let you know this program is brought to you by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show at support.greatdetectives.net Also, if you'd like to be a regular monthly supporter of the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio, you can go to patreon.greatdetectives.net well now it's time for today's episode of the Adventures of Ellery Queen. The original air date is October 2nd of 1943 and the title is the World Series Crime.

[Ernest Chappell]

The Adventures of Ellery Queen. Tonight, the makers of Bromo Seltzer bring you another thrilling adventure with Ellery Queen, the celebrated gentleman detective in person. Valerie Queen again gives you a chance to match wits with him as he relates another story of a crime he alone unravels. Then, at the point where he was able to solve the mystery, he stops the play gives you a chance to guess the criminal's name. In the studio tonight we have as our guests Ken Sears, New York Yankee catcher, and Art Flynn, business editor of the weekly newspaper Sporting News. We'd hope to have with us too the star second baseman of the Yankees, Joe Gordon, but he was unable to join us. However, Mr. Sears and Flynn have accepted Ellery Queen's challenge to solve the mystery before the solution is revealed. And now, Ellery Queen, master detective, and your host for the next half hour.

[Ellery Queen]

Thank you, Ernest Chappell, and good evening, ladies and gentlemen. In tonight's story, Nicky and I quite unexpectedly become involved in the crucial game of the World Series. I call it the Adventure of the World Series Crime Series.

[Mac McLoon]

You all know what's happened. The Eagles won the first three games. Then the Larks came back to take the fourth and fifth games. And now the Larks are leading in the sixth game, three to two. Here's the pitch.

[Ernest Chappell]

Ball four.

[Mac McLoon]

That's a walk for Henderson. Fills the bases for the Eagles. Two out. We'll see now. Oh, here's the great Sparks himself coming to bat. Now, let's see. Head will score two runs. The Eagles will win 4 to 3, and the World Series will be over. But if the Larks can stop Sparky again, the Series will be all tied to three games apiece. And the payoff game tomorrow.

[Ernest Chappell]

There it is.

[Ellery Queen]

Strike one, Sparky.

[Mac McLoon]

Everybody's asking what's happened to Sparky. Champion batter of the major leagues. He was an Arkansas Tornado in the first three series games. Hit over.500, won the first three games for the Eagles almost single handed, and then he folded.

[Ernest Chappell]

Here's the pitch.

[Mac McLoon]

Strike two. Strike two. Sparky didn't get a hit in the fourth game or the fifth. And today in three officials, the great Sparks is popped up once and struck out twice with men in scoring positions.

[Nicky Porter]

There it is.

[Mac McLoon]

Four one. That's one and two on Sparky. You know, there's some ugly rumors around, but take it from your Uncle Ted, they're just malarkey, you know, you've heard them, that Sparky's been drugged. Sparks is sold out to the gamblers.

[Nicky Porter]

Here it is.

[Mac McLoon]

Strike three. Sparky didn't even lift his bat off his shoulder.

[Nicky Porter]

He's out.

[Mac McLoon]

Well, that's the game, folks. Ties it up to three games. AP but what's happened to Spark? Mr. Dayton, owner of the Eagles, wants to know. Mac McLone, fighting manager in the Eagles, wants to know what's happened to Sparky.

[Sparky Sparks]

Yes?

[Lily Sparks]

No, just a minute. Mr. Dayton's private office.

[Sparky Sparks]

What?

[Lily Sparks]

No, please. Listen, Weisenheim, I'll give it to you in plain English. There ain't no more tickets. Oh, hello, Mr. McCloon.

[Mr. Dayton]

The boy's in, Susie.

[Lily Sparks]

Yeah, he's waiting for you. Say, Mr. McCloon, I want to tip you off. The boss said me and the boyfriend could see today's game from his box. Well, you know what that means.

[Mr. Dayton]

Yeah. As usual, Dayton's ducking out in a pinch.

[Lily Sparks]

Yeah, well, the rest of us. Still think you can lick them bombs, Mr. McClough.

[Mr. Dayton]

Thanks, Susie. Wanna see me, Mr. Dayton?

[Nicky Porter]

Oh, come in, Mac.

[Ellery Queen]

Mac, I am leaving you in complete charge.

[Mr. Dayton]

Going away today, Mr. Dayton? I notice you have your golf clubs already.

[Nicky Porter]

Yes, I'm running up to the country club.

[Ellery Queen]

I. I couldn't stand the strain of.

[Nicky Porter]

The final game, Mac. My heart, you know.

[Mr. Dayton]

Yeah, go ahead. I'll phone you the result.

[Ellery Queen]

Well, it's not as if I were.

[Nicky Porter]

Running out on you or the team, Mack.

[Mr. Dayton]

Course not, Mr. Dayton.

[Nicky Porter]

You'll bench box, of course.

[Mr. Dayton]

Thought you were leaving me in charge.

[Nicky Porter]

But my dear McCloon, he's had half a dozen chances to win the Series.

[Inspector Queen]

In the last three games, and what's he done?

[Mr. Dayton]

Spocky goes, I call.

[Ellery Queen]

Oh, he couldn't bat a ball with a coal shovel.

[Mr. Dayton]

Bat a ball. Bat.

[Nicky Porter]

Bat.

[Mr. Dayton]

Oh, what a fool I've been. Of course, the bat.

[Nicky Porter]

What are you raving about, Mac?

[Mr. Dayton]

Look, Mr. Dayton, if your heart can stand the strain of making one phone call before you go out to play golf, just one, mind you, we can still win this series.

[Ellery Queen]

Phone call.

[Mr. Dayton]

I want a detective. Pay any fee he asked, but have him here in 15 minutes.

[Ellery Queen]

A detective?

[Nicky Porter]

What? Detective Matt.

[Mr. Dayton]

The best in the world, Mr. Dayton. If there's one man can save this World Series for us, it's Ellery Queen.

[Ellery Queen]

And there, ladies and gentlemen, you have the beginning of our mystery. We'll be back in just a moment to tell you more, but first, Ernest Chapel.

[Ernest Chappell]

You know, nobody minds hard work these days because we're working for victory. But what are you going to do when you're stopped by a common, sick headache? Miss Edith I to Fremont Avenue, Los Altos, California, has the answer to that.

[Sparky Sparks]

She writes, I work at the Red Cross seven hours a day, five and a half days a week, and spend what time I have left practicing my music. This constant work and study is quite a strain, and sometimes I get a common, sick headache and my nerves feel on edge. Well, one evening, while listening to your very entertaining Ellery Queen program, I heard your clever educated train tell about Belmont Seltzer, and I decided to try it. The next time I got a headache, was I delighted with a quick effect of relief I got. Why, in just a short time, my head felt a lot better and my jumpy nerves began to calm down. I told everyone at the office about it, but most of them informed me that they were already familiar with Bromo. Seltzer's grand health and had been relying on it for a long time now. I'm never without Bromo Seltzer. I keep a bottle in my desk at the office and another at home.

[Ernest Chappell]

And that's a wise idea for everybody. You know, these days, you never know when you're liable to get a common sick headache. So if you don't already have a big blue bottle of Bromo Seltzer in your home medicine chest, get one tomorrow. And now back to our mystery in answer to Mac McCloon's phone call. Ellery, Nicky, the Inspector and Sergeant Veeley have just arrived.

[Mr. Dayton]

Hello, Mac. Hello, Ellery.

[Ellery Queen]

You know my father, Inspector Queen.

[Mr. Dayton]

The Inspector?

[Inspector Queen]

Hi, Mac.

[Ellery Queen]

Sergeant Vely.

[Nicky Porter]

Hi.

[Ellery Queen]

And this is my secretary, Nicky Porter. When they heard you wanted me on a case, Mac, I couldn't shake them off.

[Inspector Queen]

Is there anything we can do to help the Eagles win, Mac?

[Mr. Dayton]

Thanks, Inspector Queen.

[Sparky Sparks]

We're Eagle fans, all of us.

[Mr. Dayton]

We need them all, Ms. Porter.

[Nicky Porter]

I got a weak salary on the Eagles, Mac.

[Mr. Dayton]

You and a flock of others, Sergeant.

[Ellery Queen]

Where's Mr. Dayton?

[Mr. Dayton]

In a place where he won't bother us. Ellery, if you can solve a mystery in three hours, we've still got a chance to win.

[Inspector Queen]

If you can't, doesn't sound like Mac McLune talking.

[Ellery Queen]

Three hours? Give me the facts.

[Mr. Dayton]

Well, Ellery, you know ball players. They're all kind of superstitious.

[Nicky Porter]

Yeah, Remember how Babe Ruth always touched second base on his way in from right field at the end of every inning?

[Mr. Dayton]

Spocky's worse, Sergeant. He's got a pet bat.

[Sparky Sparks]

You mean Ellery's got to find one of those nasty things that fly around at night?

[Inspector Queen]

Mac's a baseball manager, Nicky, not a zookeeper. He means a baseball bat.

[Mr. Dayton]

Go on, Mac. Well, Ellery, with that pet bat of his, Spocky's the greatest hitter in the game today.

[Nicky Porter]

Well, not it. He's just a bomber.

[Ellery Queen]

Hold it, Sergeant. Mac, what happened to Spock's bat? And when?

[Mr. Dayton]

The morning after the third game. Spocky told me about it, but it went clean out of my head. Somebody stole his bat.

[Ellery Queen]

Aha.

[Inspector Queen]

If Sparky gets back his bat, you think you'll snap out of the slump, Mac?

[Mr. Dayton]

Inspector, I'll eat your badge and the locks dugout if he don't.

[Sparky Sparks]

Ellery's been asked to find stolen jewels, stolen documents, but a stolen baseball bat.

[Ellery Queen]

Quiet, Nicky. Mac, was the bat stolen from the clubhouse?

[Mr. Dayton]

No, Ellery. Spocky was so nervous about it, he wouldn't leave it in the Regular bat rack. He took it home with him.

[Ellery Queen]

Where does he live?

[Mr. Dayton]

Well, Spocky got married just before the Series.

[Sparky Sparks]

You mean the World Series of Sparky's honeymoon?

[Mr. Dayton]

Sort of, miss Porter. So Mr. Dayton gives Spocky and Lily. That's Spocky's wife, the use of his apartment during the Series. They've been living there.

[Ellery Queen]

What are we waiting for? Let's go.

[Mr. Dayton]

His Dayton's apartment is right there.

[Inspector Queen]

Okay, Mac. Bailey, you park out here in the hall and watch this front door. We don't want to be disturbed. Go ahead, Ellery.

[Ellery Queen]

Knock. Fancy layout.

[Nicky Porter]

Oh, Inspector, you ain't leaving me out in the cold in a case like this, Bailey. Yes, sir. Mac, Come on in.

[Mr. Dayton]

Hello, Sparky. This is Inspector Queen, his son Ellery, and Ms. Porter.

[Nicky Porter]

Howdy. Meet the missus. Lily, meet Inspector Queen. How are you?

[Sparky Sparks]

See?

[Lily Sparks]

It's awful good of you folks to help Sparky.

[Nicky Porter]

I reckon I'm past being helped, Lily.

[Ellery Queen]

Maybe not. Mr. Sparks, when did you first discover your bat was stolen?

[Nicky Porter]

Well, Mr. Queen, I always put the bat in the hall closet there the first thing. I woke up the morning of the fourth game, well, I look in the closet and Uncle Sam. That's my pet name for the bat.

[Lily Sparks]

You see, Sparky calls everything we own by a pet name. Mr. Queen, there's a skunk back home that bothers the chickens. Sparky calls him Hitler.

[Sparky Sparks]

And I'm beginning to like you, Sparky.

[Inspector Queen]

The bat was missing, Sparky, when you first looked in the closet that morning.

[Nicky Porter]

No one spectacular that time. Uncle Sam's standing there. All right. But then all that morning, we have visitors. And when they go away and Lily and me get ready to mosey over to ballpark, why, I open the closet door and Uncle Sam's gone.

[Ellery Queen]

How many visitors did you have?

[Nicky Porter]

Wasn't it three, Lily, four, Sparky, four visitors.

[Sparky Sparks]

Well, that means one of them must be the thief.

[Nicky Porter]

Reckon so, Ms. Porter. I wasn't counting Mr. Dayton. Lily, he's not exactly a visitor. This apartment being his' n Mr. Dayton come first.

[Lily Sparks]

He forgot to take his golf bag with him when he gave up this.

[Nicky Porter]

Apartment, so he comes to pick it up.

[Mr. Dayton]

Tell Mr. Queen who the other three were. Spocky.

[Nicky Porter]

Okay, Mac. First there was Pegoli Pigoli, the big time gambler.

[Sparky Sparks]

I smell a rat.

[Ellery Queen]

And what did Mr. Pigoli want?

[Nicky Porter]

Well, it's. It's sort of personal.

[Lily Sparks]

Oh, now, Sparky, you mustn't hold anything back if. When you want Mr. Queen to help.

[Mr. Dayton]

Lily's right, Spocky.

[Nicky Porter]

Well, my.

[Mr. Dayton]

Now, look here, Valerie, Spocky's the idol of sports fans all over the country. And he deserves to be. He sets a good example for the kids. Don't drink.

[Ellery Queen]

Don't smoke.

[Mr. Dayton]

A square shooter. But he's got one weakness that's gonna get him in a heap of trouble. It already has.

[Sparky Sparks]

I know. I read about it in the papers.

[Inspector Queen]

That's where Pigori fits. Gambling?

[Ellery Queen]

Looks that way, dad.

[Inspector Queen]

Commissioner had you on the carpet about it, didn't he, Sparky?

[Mr. Dayton]

Yeah, Inspector, but Sparky won't listen. He wastes most of his dough paying off Gina.

[Lily Sparks]

I've tried so hard to make him smile. I even refused to marry him until he promised to quit. Only he didn't quit. Second you left. Excuse me.

[Ellery Queen]

Be a good girl, nikki, and keep Mrs. Sparks company in the next room.

[Sparky Sparks]

All right?

[Ellery Queen]

So you owe Pagoli money, Sparky. And he came here yesterday morning to collect.

[Mr. Dayton]

When you start talking about gambling, Sparky shuts up like a clam.

[Nicky Porter]

Guess who's outside asking to see Spocky.

[Mac McLoon]

Are he?

[Ellery Queen]

Speak of the devil. Sergeant.

[Nicky Porter]

Huh? A big shot, Pegawi.

[Inspector Queen]

Bring him in, Viley.

[Nicky Porter]

All right, Inspector. Step into the parlor, Mr. Fly. Be careful with your hands, you. Oh, I beg your pardon, Mrs. Parks. I come back tomorrow. Well, now, now. I don't know.

[Inspector Queen]

Might be too late. Pagoli.

[Nicky Porter]

Inspector Queen.

[Ellery Queen]

I not see you at first.

[Nicky Porter]

In an umpire's eye, you'll not see him. Be careful how you talk, Mr. Veeley. Sergeant Veeley to you, pig.

[Ellery Queen]

My business with Mr. Sparks.

[Mac McLoon]

He can wait. There you go.

[Ernest Chappell]

Now wait.

[Nicky Porter]

Mr. Pigoli.

[Ellery Queen]

What do you want?

[Nicky Porter]

Seeing how things are, maybe I better tell the truth.

[Ellery Queen]

The truth?

[Mr. Dayton]

You told me Pagoli came to see you the other day about the money you owe him.

[Ernest Chappell]

Sparks.

[Nicky Porter]

I didn't want to Worry you, Mac. Mr. Pegoli, here. Take care of what you spill, hick. He was willing to forget my IOUs.

[Ellery Queen]

If, Mr. Sparks, I warn you. If what?

[Nicky Porter]

If I threw the series, Mr. Queen.

[Mr. Dayton]

So that's it, Pagoli, your dirty backstab.

[Mac McLoon]

Who do you do for me?

[Nicky Porter]

Oh, drop. Now I'll do ya. Demonstration of the famous. Say, uncle.

[Mr. Dayton]

Ah, that's better.

[Ellery Queen]

Fireworks over. Now, Mr. Pagoli, did you have any bundles or packages with you when you visited this apartment the other day?

[Nicky Porter]

All of a sudden, I'll talk English. Huh? No, he didn't have, Mr. Queen.

[Ellery Queen]

You're sure, Sparky? Did he wear a top coat?

[Nicky Porter]

No, sir.

[Inspector Queen]

Okay, hit him out, Bailey. Put a tail on him. Though I think we'll be seeing more of Mr.

[Nicky Porter]

Pig. Come on, Pig. Back to your stock.

[Ellery Queen]

Sparky, who were the other two visitors you had? Who came after Pagoli?

[Nicky Porter]

After Mr. Pigoli comes Collins. Collins?

[Inspector Queen]

Manager of the Larracks?

[Nicky Porter]

Yep. And after Collins comes Buck Fisher.

[Ellery Queen]

Fisher's the first baseman on your own team, Mac, isn't he?

[Mr. Dayton]

Yeah. Spocky beat Buck out of the batting championship by three points.

[Ellery Queen]

Less than two hours left. Time's running out. Dad, you and Mac tackle Manager Collins. The Larks. Nikki and I will call on the vanquished Eagle batsman, Buck Fisher.

[Mr. Dayton]

You'll find both of them at the stadium now, Ellery.

[Ellery Queen]

Good. That saves us time. Dad, we check with each other at the stadium. Barts can give us the other details on the way over. Hurry.

[Inspector Queen]

Collins, we've known each other since the old sandbag days. We don't have to.

[Nicky Porter]

Well, what's on your mind, Inspector?

[Inspector Queen]

Felons, why did you, the manager of the opposition team, drop in to see Sparks, the star batter of Mac's team during the World Series?

[Nicky Porter]

It's your little idea, Mac, trying to frame me just before the start of the last game.

[Mr. Dayton]

You know me better than that, Collins.

[Nicky Porter]

Okay, Inspector. I ran up to see Spocky about our bet.

[Inspector Queen]

What bet?

[Nicky Porter]

2,000 bucks, even money, on a World Series winner.

[Inspector Queen]

Sparky bet his team to win.

[Nicky Porter]

Collins, that's a hot one. Did you ever hear of Sparky betting against himself? Sure, he bet on his team. With his team taking the first three games, I thought Sparky might be willing to raise the ante. At big odds, of course. But no Soap.

[Mr. Dayton]

Sparky said no.

[Nicky Porter]

He was willing, Mike, but his wife said. Nicks.

[Inspector Queen]

Collins, were you wearing a top coat that morning?

[Ernest Chappell]

Who, me?

[Nicky Porter]

A top coat in this weather?

[Inspector Queen]

Did you have any bundles with you?

[Nicky Porter]

Criminy, no. Say, what's this all about, anyway?

[Inspector Queen]

Forget it. Come on, let's go. Mac.

[Mr. Dayton]

Just a minute. Inspector Collins.

[Nicky Porter]

Yeah, Mac.

[Mr. Dayton]

Who you pitching today?

[Nicky Porter]

See tonight's paper.

[Ellery Queen]

There's the door to the Eagles locker room. Nikki.

[Sparky Sparks]

Yes? There comes an Eagle.

[Mr. Dayton]

Excuse me.

[Ellery Queen]

Are you Buck Fisher?

[Nicky Porter]

Yeah.

[Mac McLoon]

See you out in the field, fellas.

[Nicky Porter]

Who are you?

[Sparky Sparks]

But don't you know Ellery Queen?

[Nicky Porter]

Never heard of him, lady.

[Ellery Queen]

Hey, you're not the new sports writer.

[Ernest Chappell]

For the Herald, are you?

[Ellery Queen]

Strike, no picture. I'm a detective.

[Ernest Chappell]

Detective? What goes?

[Ellery Queen]

A few simple questions, Mr. Fisher. Why did you pay a visit to Sparks the morning of the fourth game? Sparky and I had a bet all season on who'd wind up with the best batting average. Sparky won by three points.

[Sparky Sparks]

Ten is Hyde and I saw him do it. Made five hits in the last game of the season.

[Nicky Porter]

So what?

[Ellery Queen]

So why'd you drop in to see Sparky that morning, Fisher? Oh, we had another bet. Who'd get the most hits in a series. Sparky hit like a house of fire the first three games, but I figured he'd fold. Well, that morning, I comes up and I says, sparky, how about doubling the bet? Did he, Fisher?

[Nicky Porter]

He says yes, but his wife says no. So what's the matter, Sparky?

[Ernest Chappell]

Cold feet?

[Nicky Porter]

Sparky says, okay.

[Ellery Queen]

Then his wife starts the waterwork, so I beat it.

[Nicky Porter]

But the double bet's on.

[Ellery Queen]

There's a signal for batting practice. I gotta go out and clout a couple.

[Sparky Sparks]

Oh, Mr. Fisher.

[Nicky Porter]

Yeah?

[Sparky Sparks]

Did you wear a top coat that morning or carry any packages?

[Nicky Porter]

What?

[Ellery Queen]

No. Miss Porter, why did you ask FISHER those last two questions?

[Sparky Sparks]

If you can ask him a pagoli, Mr. Queen, I can ask him a Fisher.

[Ellery Queen]

That's what I thought. Come on, Ms. Copycat, let's find dad.

[Sparky Sparks]

Inspector, you learned exactly as much from Collins as Ellery and I did from Buck Fisher.

[Inspector Queen]

Yeah, yeah, Nikki, a great big goose egg.

[Nicky Porter]

Ellery, the game will be starting in a few minutes. Are we getting anywhere?

[Inspector Queen]

Well, Claudia, ah, we haven't even got to first base. Ellery, we're no nearer finding that bat than when we started.

[Ellery Queen]

I wouldn't say that there, Ellery, don't.

[Sparky Sparks]

Tell me you know.

[Ellery Queen]

Yes, I know where Sparky's bat is, Nikki. There's only a 50. 50 chance it's still there. Dad, step aside with me. I'll tell you what to do.

[Mr. Dayton]

Now, you telephone Ellery and his pesky secret.

[Nicky Porter]

Now I wonder what's cooking.

[Ellery Queen]

Nearly two hours since dad made that phone call, Nikki, and no sign of anybody.

[Sparky Sparks]

You wear out the sidewalk, Ellery.

[Ellery Queen]

Two hours waiting at the ball player's entrance, and we could have been inside with dad and Vi watching the game. Dad, what inning is it?

[Nicky Porter]

Last of the night, son.

[Sparky Sparks]

What's the score now, Sergeant?

[Nicky Porter]

Still the same, Miss Porter. One to nothing favor the large.

[Sparky Sparks]

Oh, give up, Ellery. It's too late now. You must have been wrong.

[Ellery Queen]

It's time, Nikki. I tell you, I wasn't wrong. I couldn't have been. How can I go in there and face Mac McLoon without that pet bat of Sparky?

[Sparky Sparks]

Well, you can't do the impossible, Ellery. He gave you only a few hours.

[Ellery Queen]

What's that, Nikki? This is a what?

[Sparky Sparks]

A police call. But, Ellery.

[Nicky Porter]

You el.

[Ellery Queen]

Yes, here it is.

[Mac McLoon]

The bat.

[Nicky Porter]

Hooray.

[Ellery Queen]

Mac. Mac, we've got it.

[Sparky Sparks]

Are we in time, Mr. McLoon?

[Mr. Dayton]

By the snakes of St. Patrick, it is. It's Sparky's bat.

[Nicky Porter]

Hey, Sparks.

[Adam Graham]

Floyd.

[Mr. Dayton]

Floyd, call Sparky back. He's on his way to the place.

[Nicky Porter]

Mac, for the police department.

[Inspector Queen]

Hank, how's it staying?

[Mr. Dayton]

Oh, we're behind this fight the same as yesterday. One to nothing, last the ninth. Bases pulled through. Out in. Spunky up.

[Nicky Porter]

Sparrow fox.

[Ellery Queen]

Get a hit. Any hit will drive in two runs and we win.

[Nicky Porter]

Take the lead out of your feet. Hey, what is it, man?

[Ernest Chappell]

You're not benching.

[Mr. Dayton]

You're bats. Pocky, your own bat.

[Ellery Queen]

Here.

[Nicky Porter]

Now go on out there and use it, Uncle Sam. Don't you worry, Mac. Good old Uncle Sam won't let you down. One side, fellas.

[Ellery Queen]

And there, ladies and gentlemen, you have the mystery, and I hope, a solution as well. Nicky, will you be good enough to introduce our guest armchair detectives for this evening?

[Sparky Sparks]

Well, Ellery, our guests tonight are certainly the right men to try to solve this mystery, because both of them know just about all there is to know about baseball. And when I tell you who they are, you'll see what I mean. Our first guest is Ken Sears, capture of the New York Yankees and son of Ziggy Sears, famous National League umpire. You can be sure that when the Yankees meet the St. Louis Cardinals for the first World Series game Oct. 5, more than a few eyes will be watching Ken Sears.

[Ellery Queen]

All right, Nikki, I'll agree. The first guest knows baseball, but what about the second?

[Sparky Sparks]

Well, our second guest isn't a ball player, but that doesn't mean he doesn't know about baseball. He's Art Flynn, business manager of the Sporting News, the bible of the baseball world. Mr. Flynn has been with the Sporting News for 16 years and has covered every World Series in that time. Mr. Flynn says that the Sporting News has a tremendous international circulation since so many of its old readers are now in the service, but still yelling for their copies. And, incidentally, they get them. And now, Ellery.

[Ellery Queen]

Mr. Sears, I have two questions for you this evening. Number one, where did I find Spocky's bat? And two, who stole it?

[Nicky Porter]

Well, Mr. Queen, I believe you found that bat in Mr. Dayton's golf bag.

[Ellery Queen]

Dayton's golf bag? And how did it get there?

[Nicky Porter]

Well, I believe Mr. Dayton visited Sparky's apartment that morning, and I believe he stole that bat and went out to.

[Ernest Chappell]

The golf course to play golf and.

[Nicky Porter]

Missed that last game of the World Series.

[Ellery Queen]

Thank you very much, Mr. Sears. And now, Mr. Flynn, where did I Find Sparky's bat and who stole it. I think I've got to agree with Ken Sears, Ellery, that he found it in the golf bag because no one had a top coat. And secondly, I'd say that when the. That the person that put it there was Lily, the wife, because when they were talking about if he threw the series and she walked out and said no, when they wanted to double his bet is the case of that famous French saying, cherchez la femme. Thank you very much, Mr. Flynn and Mr. Sears.

[Nicky Porter]

You'll have to wait a moment to.

[Ellery Queen]

Find out whether you've solved tonight's mystery correctly. And in the meanwhile, here's Ernest Chapel, who, it develops, is up on his modern slang.

[Ernest Chappell]

Ellery means I'm hep to the jive, I suppose. And all because I happen to mention to him that when you have a headache, you just can't be on the beam. In other words, you don't feel 100%. But if you're hep, that is to say, if you know your way around, the chances are that. You know. Our Bromo Seltzer gives quick, effective relief from the three way misery that may often accompany a common sick headache. Yes, Bromo Seltzer acts three ways on head, nerves and stomach. Try Bromo Seltzer the next time you have a common sick headache. See how quickly it has you cooking with gas. Or as we old fogies say, feeling more like your old self again.

[Sparky Sparks]

Where did you find the bat?

[Ellery Queen]

That was simple, Nicky. Once I knew the facts, only four people, Dayton, Pegoli, Collins, and Fisher visited Sparky between the last time he saw the bat in the closet and the time he thought was gone. So obviously one of those four stole the bat from the apartment.

[Sparky Sparks]

Well, I said that long ago, Ellery, but which one?

[Ellery Queen]

The important question wasn't who took the bat, Nicky, but how. How was the bat taken out of the apartment under Spock's nose without Spock seeing it?

[Nicky Porter]

Strike one.

[Ellery Queen]

After all, a bat is the size of an object 36 inches long, a solid hunk of hickory.

[Inspector Queen]

So that's why you asked about the packages and the top coats.

[Ellery Queen]

Right, dad? But none of the four visitors carried a package or wore a top coat. The top coat idea was a shot in the dark, actually. You can't conceal a 36 inch baseball bat under a coat or inside a trouser leg, for that matter, and still walk like a human being. Yet the bat was taken from the apartment.

[Nicky Porter]

How small? One.

[Ellery Queen]

There was one article taken out of that apartment that was big enough to conceal a 36 inch baseball bat.

[Inspector Queen]

But Spock said nothing went outside.

[Ellery Queen]

Wrong, dad, Sparks said one thing did go out. Remember Dayton's golf bag?

[Nicky Porter]

Dayton, the owner of the Eagles? The one who left the Sparks in his apartment?

[Inspector Queen]

That's right. Dayton came back for his golf bag. Sparky said.

[Sparky Sparks]

And with the top zippered over, it'd hold a baseball bat and not be fast. Thief.

[Nicky Porter]

Now, strike two.

[Ellery Queen]

Now, either Dayton put the bat in his golf bag, or someone else did. If Dayton were the thief, the first thing he'd do once he was out of the hotel was get rid of the bat. But if someone else put the bat into Dayton's bag and Dayton hadn't yet looked inside, the bat would still be there.

[Inspector Queen]

So Nikki every told me to phone the chief of police nearest to Dayton's country club. Chief rushed to the club, found Dayton's bag still unopened and the bat inside.

[Sparky Sparks]

Mr. Dayton can't be the thief.

[Mr. Dayton]

And his bro, too.

[Nicky Porter]

Then who stole the map? Who did it? Well, who hid it in Dayton's gone back?

[Ellery Queen]

Well, who was in the apartment when Dayton took away his bag? Not the goalie, not Collins nor Fisher. None of them had arrived.

[Nicky Porter]

Yet.

[Ellery Queen]

Only two people were there besides Dayton, Sparks and his wife. Did Sparky steal his own bat? Would he deliberately get rid of the one thing he needed most to win his bet? No.

[Inspector Queen]

Couldn't be Spark.

[Sparky Sparks]

Then it must be. You mean his own wife, Mrs.

[Nicky Porter]

Spark, stole that bat.

[Ellery Queen]

She's the only one left. So Sparky's wife must be the thief.

[Mr. Dayton]

But he takes every one.

[Ellery Queen]

Mrs. Sparks.

[Lily Sparks]

Yes, Mr. Queen?

[Ellery Queen]

Will, will you come here, please?

[Lily Sparks]

Want me? Mr. Queen?

[Ellery Queen]

You heard what I just said, Ms.

[Sparky Sparks]

Spark. Lily. Why did you do it?

[Lily Sparks]

Well, gee, I thought if Spocky lost.

[Sparky Sparks]

His pet bat, he'd lose his bat.

[Lily Sparks]

And Collins and Fisher and Pagoli and all the others. I thought that would cure him, but I didn't realize what it would mean to Mack and this Sparky's teammates and all the fans. I.

[Sparky Sparks]

Well, then I was scared to admit it.

[Nicky Porter]

Doggone and a foul.

[Sparky Sparks]

Ellery, do we have to tell Sparky?

[Ellery Queen]

If everything comes out all right, I don't see why. Nikki.

[Sparky Sparks]

Oh, you're a darling.

[Ellery Queen]

Don't forget Uncle Sam. Uncle Sam came through in the clutch, and he always will. And there, ladies and gentlemen, you have the solution to the mystery. I want to thank Mr. Sears and Mr. Flynn for appearing as guest armchair detectives this evening. We want especially to compliment Mr. Flynn on his skill in solving the crime. We have for both Mr. Sears and Mr. Flynn, a personal gift from Bromo Seltzer. Also, an autographed copy of my latest mystery anthology, the Female of the Species, and a subscription to Ellery Queen's mystery magazine.

[Ernest Chappell]

In just a minute, Ellery will be back to tell you about next week's mystery. Meanwhile, here's a friendly tip from an old pal, our famous talking Bromo Seltzer train. Why, yes. Five headaches three ways with Bromo Seltzer. You see, common sick headaches may often affect you three ways. Pounding head, nerves that jingle, jangle, jingle, and upset stomach. So it seems sensible to take Bromo Seltzer, which is scientifically designed to fight all three. Yes, Bromo Seltzer gives quick relief from that pain in your head. Bromo Seltzer helps calm jumpy nerves. Gromo Selta helps settle upset stomach. Now, you can take Bromo Seltzer while it's still fizzing or after it settles down, use it only as directed on the label. For frequent or recurring headaches, see your doctor. When it's a common sick headache that has you feeling miserable, let our talking train tell you how to lick it.

[Mr. Dayton]

Bite.

[Nicky Porter]

Headache.

[Mr. Dayton]

Freeways.

[Ernest Chappell]

I say, Ellery, come on back here a minute. You got anything to say before we close up this shop?

[Ellery Queen]

Yes, I have.

[Nicky Porter]

Chappie.

[Ellery Queen]

Ladies and gentlemen, because you had asked for them during the summer months, we brought you what we felt were the best of the Ellery Queen mysteries broadcast during the last five years. Tonight's story marks the end of these command performance. But with next Saturday's mystery, we will again bring you brand new Ellery Queen adventures.

[Sparky Sparks]

You can make a difference in someone's life, including your own, with a job in home care. These jobs offer flexible schedules, health care, retirement options, and free training. They also provide paid time off and opportunities for overtime. Visit OregonHomeCareJobs.com to learn more and apply. That's Oregon Home CareJobs.com.

[Andrew Rines]

This is Andrew Rines with OTRWesterns.com where we stream live old time radio Westerns 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with a special twist. You select the tracks that get to be played. We've got a thousand different episodes from shows like Gunsmoke, Tales of the Texas Rangers, Escape, Gene Autry, and many more. Come check us [e-mail] live again, that's otrwesterns.com live. You're listening to the great detectives of Old Time Radio with Adam Graham. And now, let's get back into the show.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. I will say whoever wrote this script didn't really have a good understanding the rules of Major League Baseball on betting on baseball. Because Rule 21, which basically has been in place since the great scandal involving the Black Sox of 1919, has some pretty clear guidelines. Any player or person connected with a club who shall offer or give any gift or reward to a player or person connected with another club for services rendered or supposed to be or to have been rendered in defeating or attempting to defeat a competing club and any player or person connected with a club who shall solicit or accept from a player connected with another club any gifts or reward for any such services rendered or supposed to have been rendered who, who, having been offered any such gift or reward, shall fail to inform his league president or the commissioner immediately of such offer and of all facts and circumstances therewith shall be declared ineligible for not less than three years and any player, umpire, club employee who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any ballgame in connection with which the batter has no duty the better has no duty to perform shall be declared ineligible for one year. And any player, umpire, club or league official or employee who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection which the better has a duty to perform shall be declared permanently ineligible. And I think particularly the bet with the opposing manager would fall under that latter rule. So yeah, this was not something that you could have gotten away with in 1943 and particularly not have it just kind of excused as a minor fault. I also find it kind of weird that Inspector Queen and Vili, you know, come along to help Ellery in the investigation. I guess things must have been slow over in New York City Homicide though. I guess it is nice to get a non murder case though. I don't know how fair it was for Ellery to be asking about the Overcoat if he knew that it couldn't be smuggled out because really that was a red herring for the audience at home. At any rate, we do turn to some listener comments and feedback. Sarah says. I just wanted to say that I've been a big fan of your podcast for the past three months since I discovered it. I've always been a huge detective. Fan. Books, shows, movies, and now radio. You guys are doing an amazing job and please keep up the great work. Once a week I have a mile and a half hour or an hour and a half commute and your show makes great company. Thanks from Sarah. Well, thanks so much Sarah. Do appreciate your comments and that will actually do it for today. Be sure and listen again next week for another episode of the Adventures of Ellery Queen. And and tomorrow is the Adventures of Philip Marlow. In the meantime, send your comments to [e-mail] follow us on Twitter RadioDoTactives and become one of our friends on Facebook. Facebook.com RadioDoTactives From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.