Jim Delsing
| Birthdate | 11/13/1925 |
| Death Date | 5/4/2006 |
| Debut Year | 1948 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Athletics, Browns, Tigers, White Sox, Yankees |
| Positions | Center Field, Left Field, Pinch Runner, Right Field |
Jim Delsing pinch ran for Eddie Gaedel in 1951. Al Kaline made his big league debut when he replaced Delsing in the 6th inning on June 25, 1953.
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In the collection:
Government postcard signed by Jim Delsing three months before he pinch-runs for Eddie Gaedel in 1951
Government postcard signed by Jim Delsing three months before he pinch-runs for Eddie Gaedel in 1951
Jim Delsing enjoyed more than a decade as a big league player, suiting up for five teams from 1948-1960. Though he played in nearly 1,000 Major League games, he is primarily remembered for being the man who pinch ran for 3’7″ Eddie Gaedel.
When Bill Veeck bought the St. Louis Browns in 1951, he immediately went to work in increase fan interest and attendance. On August 19, 1951, Veeck signed Eddie Gaedel to a contract.
In the bottom of the first inning against Detroit, Browns leadoff man Frank Saucier was called back to the dugout in favor of Gaedel who would pinch hit for Saucier. Tiger pitcher Bob Cain who would play for the Browns the following season, peered in at the postage-stamp sized strike zone and promptly walked Gaedel on four pitches.
Once Gaedel reached first base, Delsing was summoned from the dugout to pinch run for Gaedel and the most memorable single-game MLB career was over. Gaedel was released two days later.
In the collection is this government postcard signed by Delsing three months to the day before Delsing’s most memorable moment as a big leaguer.
Reverse of Jim Delsing signed government postcard with US Postal postmark on May 19, 1951
Reverse of Jim Delsing signed government postcard with US Postal postmark on May 19, 1951
Signed government postcards offer insight and context for collectors seeking to ensure an autograph’s authenticity. Notice the postmark in the image above dated May 19, 1951, with a Washington DC location.
Collectors would send an envelope to ball players with a fan letter and self-addressed stamped postcard enclosed. Players were asked to sign the postcard and drop it in the mail.
The night before the May 19 postmark, the Browns dropped a 6-2 contest to Bucky Harris’ Senators at Washington’s Griffith Stadium. Desling appeared in the May 18th contest as a pinch hitter, collecting his 99th career hit in his 135th career game. The next day he mailed the postcard back to collector Paul De Good of Wichita, Kansas.
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 Aug 1950”. Delsing’s memory was a bit hazy as he’s off on the date by a year. A veteran of more than a decade in the big leagues, Delsing passed away in 2006.
In his MLB debut 18-year old Al Kaline was a defensive replacement for Delsing
In his MLB debut 18-year old Al Kaline was a defensive replacement for Delsing
Shown here is a 1951 Bowman reprint baseball card autographed by Jim Delsing, the pinch runner for Eddie Gaedel. The outfielder also -played a part in the big league debut of Al Kaline when the future Hall of Famer replaced him in center field in his first big league appearance.
Delsing’s professional baseball career ran from 1948-1960 with ten seasons in the Major Leagues. His final career big league numbers include a .255 average, 40 homers, and 286 runs batted in.
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.
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 pitcher.
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. 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.
Frank Saucier started in right field and batted lead off before getting lifted in favor of Gaedel
Frank Saucier started in right field and batted lead off 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.
