Screwball

By: Simon Rich

Narrated by: Scott Aiello, Beck Bennett

Length: 39 mins

Publisher's summary

SNL’s Beck Bennett performs Screwball, a wildly funny and wistful take on Babe Ruth’s little-known stint in the minor leagues, from one of America’s funniest writers, Simon Rich. 

Before he was “Babe” or “The Sultan of Swat” or “The Great Bambino”, George Herman Ruth was just another teenage misfit at St. Mary’s School for Boys. But Ruth has something the other boys don’t, and when Baltimore Orioles manager Jack Dunn watches him throw a baseball over a building, Ruth gets the chance to punch his ticket out of the orphanage. All he has to do now is make the team.    

For help navigating life in the Minor Leagues, good-natured Ruth is paired with another rookie, one Jack Dunn, Jr., the coach’s son. Even though they’re the same age, Ruth looks up to his new pal and roommate. But despite his encyclopedic knowledge of the game and austere work ethic, “Junior” (as his teammates mockingly refer to him) can’t field a ground ball to save his life. When Babe makes the roster and Junior doesn’t, their budding friendship feels the strain.    

As Babe’s otherworldly on-field abilities and cringe-worthy off-field antics take center stage, jealous Junior resolves to sabotage the naïve and unsuspecting Babe. It’s a choice that could prove catastrophic for not only the young phenom, but also Junior, his father and the entire sport of baseball. Told from the Babe’s point of view, the hilarious and heart-felt Screwball is a classic story of friendship, envy and a legend-in-the-making.  

©2019 Simon Rich (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

Beck Bennett as Babe Ruth

Short but sweet and very funny. Screwball brightened my morning on the way to work. I even sat in the car in the parking lot so I could finish it as it’s under 1 hour long. Listen to Screwball for Beck Bennett’s narration - I love him
on SNL. I got a little chocked up in the end! I hate when reviewers say this but...I just wished it was longer.

Great Story, not for kids

We listened as a family in the car and there were a few parts that I cringed knowing my kids were listening. Funny story though!! Great storytelling!

Impossible to Stop.....

Simply this production is worth every listening second you spend with it. Especially if you have a soft spot for The Babe and his story. Entertaining, funny and a happy ending too! If you love baseball, old school America and innocence that is endearing, listen to this production. My bet is you won’t be able to stop listening till it ends. That’s the only problem, it’s length, less then an hour. Yes, no doubt there should be more! Possibly a continuation? Great work!

A Short, Snappy, Humorous Confection

I'm not a fan of baseball, or sports in general, but this seemed like a cute and funny little story, so I tried it out. It is indeed a fun and breezy tale, and kept me interested throughout. The writer has Babe Ruth tell the story of his early days in the minor leagues, playing for the Baltimore Orioles, until he is finally signed up by the Boston Red Sox. The title "Screwball" comes both from his many mistakes as an innocent, naive and bewildered young player, and from his technique for batting.

I assume the stories recounted are based on true incidents, like Babe growing up in an orphanage, throwing balls over buildings, and batting hard enough to make balls explode. I'm not so sure about his friendship with his manager's son, who is shown as bitterly jealous of Babe from the start, and Babe is stunningly oblivious to it, even as he sleeps with the guy's girlfriend. I'm sure the writer was playing up Babe's cheerful cluelessness for laughs, but he made Babe come off as borderline mentally retarded the way he consistently misinterprets everyone around him.

Nevertheless, it's an interesting story, narrated nicely, and there's not a dull moment. There's no real meat and potatoes, but think of it as a tasty appetizer.

A Short Listen, A Good Laugh

There is something to be said for a short listen that leaves you smiling. Well done.

Hillarious!

Short and very sweet. Very comical and Witty. Audible originals are awesome! Can't wait to see next months picks!

Short, fun story!

Highly recommend! A short, fun story. Unreliable narrator, and an interesting take on the early days of Babe Ruth. Very little actual baseball, so a good all around story for anyone. The dynamic between the two “best friends” was comedic, and also very nicely developed.

Screwball

I don't understand all the hating on this audiobook, I thought it was pretty good with some funny moments. This is mostly a minor league story, not really Babe's major league time. I guess these genius people who wrote all the bad reviews did not realize that. Scott Aiello & Beck Bennett did a good job narrating.

Fun little story

This was a fun little story from the view of Babe Ruth himself. I don't know the history, but if this is true it is very interesting. I enjoyed this quick story about a larger than life great historical figure in American society.

Uninteresting

Struggled to finish.
used the scattergun approach to the
story.
Last half a lot better.