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August 18, 1951 Eddie Gaedel Original Scorecard from Game before Debut with Reproduction Scorecard from Debut Game
In one of most outlandish, spectacular events in the history of baseball, Eddie Gaedel, a 3'7" dwarf, made an official plate appearance for the home team St. Louis Browns in the second game of a double-header against the Detroit Tigers at Busch Stadium I on August 19, 1951. Offered is a reproduction of the Browns' "Official Score Card (sic) and Program" from that date, and the actual scorecard/program, scored in pencil, from the day before (August 19th), a 20-9 Browns' victory, with the number "1/8" (with no name), listed in the scorecard. The August 20th second game was won 6-2 by Detroit. Browns' owner Bill Veeck had promised a "festival of surprises." Veeck had signed Gaedel to a contract and registered the contract with the league office, and Gaedel was listed in the included reproduced program/scorecard as "1/8 Gaedel." Veeck had Gaedel dress in his tiny Browns' uniform, borrowed from the bat boy. In the bottom of the first inning, Browns' manager Zack Taylor sent Gaedel up to bat for lead-off hitter Frank Saucier. Umpire Ed Hurley called time out, but a copy of the Gaedel contract was produced, and Gaedel was allowed to bat. With the Tigers' pitcher Bob Cain laughing on the mound, Gaedel walked on four pitches, and he stopped twice on his way to first base to theatrically bow to the crowd, and the assemblage gave Gaedel a standing ovation. Then Gaedel was removed for a pinch runner, and the game continued. Veeck's stunt drew the ire of American League President Will Harridge, and Gaedel's contract was voided because of his height. Feeling that the New York Yankees and their 5'5" shortstop, future Hall of Famer Phil Rizzuto, were getting favorable treatment, Veeck threatened to demand an official ruling on whether Rizzuto was a short ballplayer or a tall dwarf. Both the original August 19th scorecard and program and the reproduced scorecard and program form the August 20th game measure 7.1x8.25". Each program/scorecard has four pages and it sold for 10 cents. Veeck's stunt was a great marketing bonanza. Veeck's ingenuity and Gaedel's showmanship had created an unforgettable baseball happening.
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