The most publicized stunt in baseball
history took place August 19, 1951,
at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis,
when, to the surprise of 18,369 fans,
3'7" 65-lb midget Eddie Gaedel
emerged from a seven-foot birthday
cake between games of a Browns-Tigers
doubleheader. Browns owner Bill Veeck
concocted the idea to boost attendance,
and to help celebrate the 50th anniversary
of both the American League and the
Falstaff Brewing Co., radio sponsor
of the Browns.
Gaedel, a stage performer, was
wearing a Browns uniform with the
number 1/8, and little slippers
turned up at the end like elf's
shoes. In the bottom of the first,
St. Louis manager Zach Taylor sent
Gaedel to the plate to pinch hit
for Frank Saucier. Veeck had instructed
the diminutive Brownie to crouch
low, and not swing his toy-like
bat. Detroit skipper Red Rolfe
protested Gaedel's presence, but
Taylor produced a legitimate contract,
filed with the AL and cleared by
umpire Ed Hurley.
In his stance, Gaedel's strike
zone measured 1-1/2 inches. Detroit
pitcher Bob Cain walked the midget,
throwing four straight balls. When
Jim Delsing went in to run for
him, the crowd gave Gaedel a standing
ovation. The Browns lost, 6-2,
despite Gaedel's instant offense.
AL president Will Harridge was
furious with Veeck's burlesque
and unsuccessfully tried to strike
Gaedel's name from the record books.
Gaedel was paid $100 for his appearance,
and was insured for $1 million
by Veeck. In future years Veeck
used him in a few other promotions.
More
Browns Information:
http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/al/stlouisbrowns/browns.html
http://www.baseballlibrary.com/ballplayers/player.php?name=St_Louis_Browns
http://www.thestlbrowns.com
http://www.sportslogos.net/team.php?t=88
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