MERCURY RECORDS: THE EDDIE GAEDEL TALE

MERCURY’S RECORD’S – THE ST. LOUIS BROWNS AND EDDIE GAEDEL!

Mercury Records was founded in Chicago in 1945 by Arthur Talmadge, Ray Greenburg, Irving Green and Berle Adams. In a rather unique promotion effort, Mercury brought small person Eddie Gaedel on board to pose for a Mercury Records logo in 1945.

Eddie’s Mercury Logo Likeness

Eddie and 1946 Promotional Poster

Later, on August 19th, 1951, Eddie, who had become a member of the St. Louis Browns major league baseball team, came to bat against the Detroit Tigers, wearing a jersey with the number “1/8”, a jersey which had been designed for a Browns’ bat boy.

Eddie Awaits His At Bat

Eddie walked on 4 straight pitches and was promptly removed from the game for a pinch runner. It would be Eddie’s only major league appearance. On his way to first base, Gaedel paused twice to take a bow for the 18 thousand-plus standing and cheering fans!

One Eighth at the Plate

Mighty 26-Year-Old Eddie Gaedel at the Plate

Initially, Gaedel’s appearance at the plate was struck from the statistic book but reinstated a week later. Eddie earned one hundred dollars for his appearance. The league commisioner immediately voided his contract. Browns owner Bill Veeck filed a complaint with the league to have 5-foot 7-inch Yankee Phil Rizzuto banned as well – another publicity stunt.

And by the way, the Browns lost the game that day. 6-2! On a side note, Eddie was rehired in 1961 by Veeck when the team received complaints from fans that they couldn’t see over the heads of regular height vendors. Gaedel was joined by 5 other small vendors.

Eddie Gaedel passed away at age 36 on June 18th, 1961. He died tragically as the result of a severe beating when someone followed him home in 1961 after a night of bowling.