THE LITTLE GUY

Good evening. This is Dead Legends. The baseball newsletter that loves a theatrical ejection.

If you’re going to get tossed, at least get your money’s worth.

Never forget this iconic show from Phillip Wellman when he got ejected back in 2007.

Let’s dive in.

Today’s story is about the one-day career of Eddie Gaedel; the shortest man to ever play professional baseball.

It all started when Bill Veeck, the owner of the St. Louis Browns, signed Gaedel to a contract as a publicity stunt.

This was pretty standard stuff for Veeck, who was known for his off-the-wall promotions.

What he didn't know, was that the sports world would be talking about Eddie Gaedel for decades to come.

Before he stepped in the box, Eddie had something else on his agenda.

St. Louis was celebrating the American League's 50th anniversary with a doubleheader that day, so they hired Eddie to jump out of a papier-mache cake between games.

The crowd had no idea Gaedel was actually on the team.

In the first inning, he made his way to the plate as a pinch-hitter for Frank Saucier.

The crowd went wild as they saw the little guy with the number "1/8" on the back.

Standing at 3 feet 7 inches tall, he had a strike zone that was about 1.5 inches when he crouched.

Unfortunately, part of the deal that Veeck made with AL President Will Harridge stipulated that Gaedel would be allowed to participate as long as he didn't swing the bat.

Veeck went to great lengths to make sure Eddie didn't get any crazy ideas.