62 years ago today

Bill Veeck pulled one of his best remembered stunts during the second game of a double header between his St. Louis Browns and the visiting Detroit Tigers.

Frank Saucier was scheduled to lead of in the bottom of the first for the Brownies when the announcement was made that pinch hitting would be Eddie Gaedel.

Eddie, all 3ft 7 inches of him, sporting a uniform with a number 1/8 on the back strode mightily to the plate. He was promptly walked on 4 straight pitches by a laughing, Bob Cain.

One of baseball's greatest pics shows Tiger catcher Bob Cain on his knees trying to give a good target for his pitcher as Gaedel stands at the plate!

Bill Veeck's reported instructions to Eddie Gaedel included: "I will be on the roof of the dugout with a rifle. If you even think about swinging, I will shoot you."

source: http://www.jeffreysward.com/tributes/eddieg.htm

Exploitation of little people does not seem all that funny 62 years later.

One of the greatest stunts of all time. Thanks for posting!

Exploitation of little people does not seem all that funny 62 years later.

Sorry - it's still funny as hell

-The Sheik

i love it. you libs have no sense of humor. he didn't have to participate if he didn't want to so how was that explotation? nothing better than a fellini movie followed by a good ole dwarf tossing contest!

Exploit the guy because he is short and thus highly likely to draw a walk.
Exploit the guy because he is 6'4" and 240 pounds and can thus crush a baseball or throw it 100 mph.
Exploitation could be argued is what the whole system is based on. As long as Eddie got what he considered fair pay we should have no problem with it.