You see from island to island and then to that big ice mountain island where the giant bird has it's nest there is a thick fog and because of how Big Ben had to stay above water instead of going underwater like a whale normally does Rudolph had to use his nose like a headlight just like he does for Santa. So you see if Rudolph had not of been there to be the headlight for that whale and also go onto the islands to find O.M. that knight, and Ben Franklin for help they would not have been able to find the baby in time. Plus Santa showed up to help take the baby to Father Time and he was able to find them by looking down and seeing Rudolph's nose glowing. So you see that nose worked both as a headlight for the Whale and a signal flare so Santa could find them.

Not to mention the fact that Rudolph helped Happy come to terms with his ears. The OP is mistaken. Rudolph is a hero.