Sixty Three Years Ago Tomorrow...

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There is nothing Photoshopped in this image

Eddie Gaedel
August 19, 1951

In a Major League Baseball game

between the St. Louis Browns

and the Detroit Tigers,
Eddie Gaedel pinch-hit
in the first inning.

With the St. Louis Browns (who would later become the Baltimore Orioles) 

languishing near the bottom of the Americn League standings, 

legendary owner Bill Veeck sent 3-foot-7 Eddie Gaedel 

to the plate as a pinch-hitter in the first inning 

of a game against the Tigers.

After showing the umpire his official contract, 

Gaedel walked on four pitches, was replaced 

by a pinch-runner at first base and received 

a standing ovation from the crowd.

The shortest player to ever record 

a Major League plate appearance,

Gaedel's jersey --number 1/8-- 

is preserved in the Hall of Fame.



This italic hyperlink is from a "Small Sports Bar"
but the good folks at Wikipedia also have something
to say about Edward Carl Gaedel, including this:

Due to its scarcity, Gaedel's autograph now sells for more than Babe Ruth's.   
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