Almost fifty-nine years after stepping up to the plate, major league baseball's smallest player will have his big night. On July 17, the Farmington Browns Baseball Club will retire Eddie Gaedel's famous number 1/8 in ceremonies between games of a twi-night doubleheader at Lemay Baseball Association's Heine Meine Field in St. Louis. The Browns will play the M.I.N.K. League's Ozark Generals that night.
On August 19, 1951, the St. Louis Browns' owner Bill Veeck sent Gaedel to bat as a pinch-hitter in the first inning of the second game of a doubleheader versus the Detroit Tigers. Gaedel drew a walk off of pitcher Bob Cain.
Wearing vintage 1934 St. Louis Browns uniforms, the Farmington Browns play in the summer collegiate KIT (Kitty) League, a wood-bat league for college and university players. The league is named after the old Class D pro circuit that lasted from 1903-1955. Major leaguers who played in the league include Tony Kubek, Chuck Tanner, Vern Stephens, Red Schoendienst and Dusty Rhodes.
For more information please contact Ted Kapnick, Owner/GM, Farmington Browns Baseball Club, 200 West First Street, Suite 191, Farmington, MO 63640 or call 573-705-2313.
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