Bob Cain
| Birthdate | 10/16/1924 |
| Death Date | 4/8/1997 |
| Debut Year | 1949 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Browns, Tigers, White Sox |
| Position | Pitcher |
Bob Cain threw the famous 4-pitch walk to Eddie Gaedel in 1951. When Gaedel died 10 years later, Cain was the only baseball man at the funeral.
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Bob Cain had the distinction of pitching to Gaedel - here's Cain's Christmas card
Bob Cain had the distinction of pitching to Gaedel - here's Cain's Christmas card
Imagine the surprise on the face of pitcher Bob Cain when 3’7″ Eddie Gaedel stepped to the plate with bat in hand. Working with a minute strike zone, Cain walked Gaedel on four pitches.
Cain went 37-44 with a 4.50 ERA in five big league seasons from 1949-1953. He played for the Tigers when he faced Gaedel and the Browns. Before the start of the next season Detroit traded him to St. Louis. Cain played his final two Major League seasons for the Browns.
Later in life, Cain sent out Christmas cards much like the one above. Cain has signed this card as well.
Bob Cain "I pitched to Eddie Gaedel" autographed index card
Bob Cain "I pitched to Eddie Gaedel" autographed index card
Mostly remembered for the day he pitched to Eddie Gaedel, Bob Cain was a five-year big league veteran who pitched in 140 Major League games.
He suited up for White Sox, Tigers and Browns. Interestingly, Cain was the only baseball man to attend Gaedel’s funeral in 1961.
Here is a 3×5 card signed by Cain in which he adds the notation, “I pitched to Eddie Gaedel”. A willing signer through the mail, Cain died in 1997.
Bill Veeck's most famous shenanigan - 3'7" pinch hitter Eddie Gaedel
Bill Veeck's most famous shenanigan - 3'7" pinch hitter Eddie Gaedel
Bill Veeck was known as a showman who pushed the envelope with his promotions and publicity stunts. Perhaps his most famous stunt was the signing of 3’7″ Eddie Gaedel. The diminutive Gaedel walked in his only Major League plate appearance on August 19, 1951. Here Veeck signs a 3×5 card with the specifics of Gaedel’s on-day big league career.
Once Gaedel reached first base, Jim Delsing pinch ran for him
Once Gaedel reached first base, Jim Delsing pinch ran for him
After Eddie Gaedel walked Browns’ manager Zack Taylor lifted the 3’7″ player and replaced him with Jim Delsing. Here Delsing has autographed an index card and added the notation, “Pinch Runner for Eddie Gaedel”. Delsing enjoyed a ten-year career as an outfielder for five teams. He passed away in 2006.
Autographed 1951 Bowman reprint of Jim Delsing
Autographed 1951 Bowman reprint of Jim Delsing
Shown here is a 1951 Bowman reprint baseball card autographed by Jim Delsing, the pinch runner for Eddie Gaedel. Delsing’s professional baseball career ran from 1942-1960 with ten seasons in the Major Leagues. His final career big league numbers include a .255 average, 40 homers, and 286 runs batted in.
Frank Saucier started in right field and batted leadoff before getting lifted in favor of Gaedel
Frank Saucier started in right field and batted leadoff before getting lifted in favor of Gaedel
Frank Saucier could barely lift his arm the day that Eddie Gaedel played his lone Major League game. Nevertheless, Saucier’s name was penciled in batting lead off and playing right field. After an uneventful top of the first, Saucier was due to bat first for the Browns. It was then that Gaedel gained his fame, walking on four pitches from Bob Cain.
Saucier has signed this index card adding the notation, “Frank Saucier, the injured player for whom Eddie Gaedel pinch hit, Aug 18, 1951”. Saucier was an outstanding hitter in the minor leagues and owner of the highest batting average in pro baseball when he hit .446 for Wichita Falls in 1949. The minor league success did not translate to the big league level as he played just one year and batted 1-for-14 for the 1951 St. Louis Browns.
