True Story

[SHSBulldog00]

St. Louis Browns owner Bill Veeck was always known for his publicity stunts and outside-the-box approach to putting fans in the stands, but his festivities on August 19th, 1951 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the American League contained perhaps his best-known stunt.


Prior to the game, Gaedel signed 3'7" performer Eddie Gaedel to join the team, and between games of the double-header he jumped out of a papier-mache cake wearing a jersey with number "1/8" on the back.

It didn't end there, though, as Gaedel was inserted into the game as a pinch-hitter to lead off the bottom of the first inning. After the opposing team's manager and umpire confirmed he was in fact part of the active roster, he stepped into the batter's box and drew a four-pitch walk in what would be his only big-league plate appearance.

[zebrablue2]

Wow!!!

[Hat42]

And then the discrimination came ,,,,,,,,the league banned the little guy,no more playing in the big leagues unless you are a certain height I suppose. Veeck was one of a kind. And little Eddie ended up with a perfect career on base percentage.Should of got him a lawyer !

[Hat42]

Looked him up and because he died early and other than this had little fame,his autograph brings more than Babe Ruth's

[Tejastrue]

What I personally remember most about promos and a Veeck owned team was the White Sox and the uniforms that were introduced with the collared jerseys designed not to be tucked in the pants and then the optional shorts... but mostly the infamous Disco Demolition Night.

http://www.freewebs.com/karamaxjoe/t...esoxshorts.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpQfC...layer_embedded

[Hat42]

Veeck was quite a character, Charlie Finley was another. In fact Finley was a smart baseball man. If not for free agency and of course if he was still alive ,I bet the A's would still be winning pennants. He build a fantastic team in Oakland in the early 70's