Home Run on the Keys (1937)

Babe Ruth: Babe Ruth

Quotes 

• Babe Ruth : What are you doing?

  Bryon Gay : Trying to get an idea for that broadcast next week.

  Babe Ruth : Well, why don't you play some of those songs? You know, those old hits of yours.

  Phil : You ought to give him some of *your* old hits.

  Babe Ruth : Don't mind about *my* old hits. The copyright is out on those.

• Phil : Say, Babe - speakin' of hits, what hit gave you your greatest thrill?

  Babe Ruth : Well, I suppose that one out in Chicago in the World Series of 1932.

  Phil : What happened?

  Babe Ruth : Well, I'll tell ya. The papers said it was the longest and the most dramatic home run ever hit at the Cubs' park. I'll never forget it. It was a tough Series. Both clubs riding each other. Doing everything to get each other's goat. Well, at this one particular time when I went to bat, Charlie Root was pitching, and the first pitched ball was a called strike. Well, I thought it was outside and didn't like it very much. So the boys over there were given me the "on ya" "on ya". You know what I mean... Well, the second pitched ball was another called strike. Well, I didn't like that one either. So, I let it go by. And by that time, they were over there going crazy! Well, I stepped out of the box and I looked over to the bench, and then I looked out at center field and I pointed; I said, "I'm going to hit the next pitched ball right past the flagpole." Well, the good lord and good luck must have been with me, because I did *exactly* what I said I was going to do. And I'll tell you one thing, that was the best home run I ever hit in my life.

  Phil : Oh, it must have been a dandy!

  Babe Ruth : It was a pip, as far as I was concerned.

• Babe Ruth : Well, listen - you fellas write hits; why don't you write a home run?

  Bryon Gay : A home run?

  Babe Ruth : Yes - a home run on the keys!

  Phil : That's a great idea, Mr. Gay. Why don't you do that on the radio?

  Bryon Gay : Gee, that is a great idea, Babe. How would you do it?

  Babe Ruth : Well, let me show ya.

  [pounds a chord twice on the piano] 

  Babe Ruth : Ball one!

  [pounds a chord twice at a higher octave] 

  Babe Ruth : Strike one.

  [Runs his fingers along the keys from a low to a high octave] 

  Babe Ruth : A home run!

• Babe Ruth : [on the radio]  Hello, folks. My two friends and myself have written a number called "Home Run on the Keys". We're jumping into the studio like this, so sudden - why, we figure we got two strikes on us already. But remember, you only have one to hit. So, David, play it!

  Orchestra Conductor : Okay.

  [orchestra starts playing] 

  Babe Ruth : Play ball! - - Strike one! - - Strike two! - - Foul ball. - - Ball one! - - Ball two! - - Ball three! - - It's a home run!