Gaedel came up short in his big league career
Tom Willadsen • August 19, 2009
As summer whimpers through the Dog Days and the prospect of the start of another school year looms, I suggest we take a look back at, and savor a moment of history. On a warm summer day in St. Louis, August 19, 1951, something happened that has never been duplicated on a major league baseball field.
In the bottom of the first inning, in the second game of a double header between the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Browns, a pinch-hitter appeared, barely. Wearing the number 1/8 on his uniform, Eddie Gaedel strode to the plate. It is unusual for a team to pinch hit for their lead off hitter in the first inning. This particular pinch hitter was unprecedented. Eddie Gaedel was only three-foot-7 tall.
The Tigers' catcher, Bob Swift went to the mound to discuss strategy with pitcher Bob Cain. "Keep it low," was the extent of his counsel. Swift returned and towered over Gaedel, even as he rested on his knees. Eddie Gaedel walked on four pitches. After touching first base, Jim Delsing came in to pinch run for him. Gaedel returned to the dug out to wild cheers, thus ended his baseball career.
Soon thereafter Will Harridge, President of the American League banned Gaedel for "conduct detrimental to baseball."
Browns owner Bill Veeck's response was swift and righteous. "I am puzzled, baffled and grieved by Mr. Harridge's ruling....Why, here we're paying a lot of guys on the Browns' roster good money to get on base and even though they don't do it, nobody sympathizes with us. But when this little guy goes up to the plate and draws a walk in his only at bat, they call it 'conduct detrimental to baseball.'"
More than 50 years later, no midget, dwarf or other little person has appeared in a major league baseball game. Only retired shortstop Freddie Patek, has come close to "little person" status at 5-foot-4. Even Hall of Famer Peewee Reese stood a statuesque 5-foot-9.
I say we cannot give this short man's short career short shrift through short-sightedness! We should celebrate this ball player's perfect and never-surpassed career on base percentage! This little hero whose autograph is more valuable than Babe Ruth's!
I invite you to join me in toasting Eddie Gaedel's memory at Jerry's Bar on Ceape Street. Together, let us raise a High Ball in honor of Eddie Gaedel's walk on four high balls in his lone big league appearance.
In the words of Bill Veeck, "Eddie Gaedel?...He was, by golly, the best darn midget who ever played big-league ball. He was also the only one."
Tom Willadsen has lived in Oshkosh since 1999. He is 5 foot 8.