Gaedel gained immortality in the second game of a doubleheader on Sunday, August 19, 1951. Gaedel was secretly signed by the St. Louis Browns and put in uniform (complete with number "⅛" on the back) as a publicity stunt.
Gaedel popped out of a papier-mache cake between games of a doubleheader to celebrate the American League's 50th anniversary, and as a Falstaff Brewery promotion. Falstaff, and the fans, had been promised a "festival of surprises". Before the second game got underway, the press agreed that the "midget-in-a-cake" appearance had not been a great promotion. Falstaff personnel, who had been promised national publicity for their participation, were particularly dissatisfied. Keeping the surprise he had in store for the second game to himself, The Brown's owner just meekly apologized.
Eddie Gaedel entered the game between the Browns and Detroit Tigers as a pinch-hitter. Immediately, umpire called for the Browns manager. The Browns had the foresight to have a copy of Gaedel's contract on hand, as well as a copy of the Browns' active roster, which had room for Gaedel's addition.Eddie Gaedel was under strict orders not to attempt to move the bat off his shoulder. Tigers catcher Bob Swift offered his pitcher a piece of strategy: "Keep it low."
With Bob Cain on the mound - laughing at the absurdity that he actually had to pitch to Gaedel - and Swift catching on his knees, Gaedel crouched with bat in hand. Cain delivered four consecutive balls, all high. Gaedel took his base (stopping twice during his trot to bow to the crowd) and was replaced by pinch-runner Jim Delsing. The fans gave Gaedel a standing ovation.
Gaedel ended up stranded at third base and the Tigers went on to win the game 6-2.
Eddie Gaedel finished his major league career with an on-base percentage of 1.000. His total earnings as a pro athlete were $100. However, he was able to parlay his baseball fame into more than $17,000 by appearing on several television shows.
Short Guy Fact = Due to scarcity, Gaedel's autograph now sells for more than Babe Ruth's.
3 comments:
How can Gaedel be stranded at third base when he was replaced by a pinch runner?
And you thought nobody was reading this stuff, didn't you?
Walks suck. When I pitched in little league, I threw at guys who were up there just to walk, and when I umpired little league games in HS, the strike zone was from the helmet to cleats.
You are right. Gaedel was stranded, not replaced.
Also, he was wearing slippers turned up at the end like elf's shoes.
The guy in Bad Santa would take his cuts and sit down like a real man. Funk Gay-dell.
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