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Friday, August 19, 2005 |
Recalling An Infamous Promotion
Gaedel, a stage performer, was wearing a Browns uniform with the number 1/8, and little slippers turned up at the end like elf's shoes. In the bottom of the first, St. Louis manager Zach Taylor sent Gaedel to the plate to pinch hit for Frank Saucier. Veeck had instructed the diminutive Brownie to crouch low, and not swing his toy-like bat. Detroit skipper Red Rolfe protested Gaedel's presence, but Taylor produced a legitimate contract, filed with the AL and cleared by umpire Ed Hurley.The Browns were facing serious economic difficulties in those days thanks to a mind-bending stretch of losing seasons (they would finish 52-102 that year). The Browns played in St. Louis for two more years, and then hightailed it to Baltimore, where they became the Orioles.In his stance, Gaedel's strike zone measured 1-1/2 inches. Detroit pitcher Bob Cain walked the midget, throwing four straight balls. When Jim Delsing went in to run for him, the crowd gave Gaedel a standing ovation. The Browns lost, 6-2, despite Gaedel's instant offense. AL president Will Harridge was furious with Veeck's burlesque and unsuccessfully tried to strike Gaedel's name from the record books. Gaedel was paid $100 for his appearance, and was insured for $1 million by Veeck.
Comments:
There was a guy at Commiskey wearing that jersey tonight. He was sitting about 10 rows in front of us.
Not to advocate reading or nothing, but if you'd like to read more on the Gaedel stunt, there's an excellent account in "Veeck as in Wreck," which is one of the better baseball autobiographies out there at your local library or bookseller.
# posted by 
: 8/19/2005 10:39:00 PM
: 8/19/2005 10:39:00 PMNewer› ‹Older
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