Who Is The Shortest Baseball Player?
Baseball is a game full of statistics and records. One record that is often overlooked is the height of the players. Who is the shortest player in baseball history?
Joe Stanky
At 5’3”, Joe Stanky was one of the shortest players in baseball history. He played for 14 seasons from 1941 to 1958 with six different teams. A versatile utility player, he appeared at every position except pitcher and catcher. In 1951, he was named to the National League All-Star team.
Eddie Gaedel
Eddie Gaedel, a 3-foot 7-inch (1.09 m) tall midget, became both the shortest player and the only player to have a plate appearance with a batting stance requiring him to kneel when he made his major league debut on August 19, 1951. He pinch hit for Bob Cain in the bottom of the first inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers at Briggs Stadium in Detroit. Gaedel, who wore uniform number 1/8, was walked on four pitches by Detroit pitcher Bob Williams. As he trotted to first base, he was replaced by a pinch runner, Jim Delsing. It was later revealed that Gaedel had been signed to a major league contract by Browns owner Bill Veeck.
Jimmie Reese
The shortest player in Major League Baseball history was Jimmie Reese, a 5’6″ infielder who played for the Los Angeles Angels from 1950 to 1951. Reese also spent time with the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, and Pittsburgh Pirates during his 12-year professional career.
Billy Bergen
Billy Bergen was a 5’1″ shortstop who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1908-1910. He is believed to be the shortest player in Major League history.
