# Chapter 6: Quirky Trivia

Baseball · Chapter 6: Quirky Trivia · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/baseball/interesting-facts/chapter-6-quirky-trivia/)

Baseball's odd side: the shortest batter, two promotions that went wrong, a hoax pitcher, a spy behind the plate, superstitions, strange injuries, animals at the park, nine positions in one game and strange plays.

## 6.61 Eddie Gaedel

The shortest man ever to bat in the majors.

### Test 1: Eddie Gaedel

- He remains the shortest player in big-league history. (Source: National Baseball Hall of Fame on Eddie Gaedel's jersey; SABR BioProject, Eddie Gaedel; Bill Veeck, Veeck as in Wreck (1962))
- He had signed Gaedel a few days earlier. (Source: National Baseball Hall of Fame on Eddie Gaedel's jersey; SABR BioProject, Eddie Gaedel; Bill Veeck, Veeck as in Wreck (1962))
- The pitcher could not find his tiny strike zone. (Source: National Baseball Hall of Fame on Eddie Gaedel's jersey; SABR BioProject, Eddie Gaedel; Bill Veeck, Veeck as in Wreck (1962))
- The stunt was part of the league's 50th birthday party. (Source: National Baseball Hall of Fame on Eddie Gaedel's jersey; SABR BioProject, Eddie Gaedel; Bill Veeck, Veeck as in Wreck (1962))
- Will Harridge called it a mockery of the game. (Source: National Baseball Hall of Fame on Eddie Gaedel's jersey; SABR BioProject, Eddie Gaedel; Bill Veeck, Veeck as in Wreck (1962))
- Gaedel crouched even lower. (Source: National Baseball Hall of Fame on Eddie Gaedel's jersey; SABR BioProject, Eddie Gaedel; Bill Veeck, Veeck as in Wreck (1962))
- Veeck wanted a walk, not a swing. (Source: National Baseball Hall of Fame on Eddie Gaedel's jersey; SABR BioProject, Eddie Gaedel; Bill Veeck, Veeck as in Wreck (1962))
- The whole stunt took a few minutes. (Source: National Baseball Hall of Fame on Eddie Gaedel's jersey; SABR BioProject, Eddie Gaedel; Bill Veeck, Veeck as in Wreck (1962))
- August 1951, days later in 1951, 1960, then 1979. (Source: National Baseball Hall of Fame on Eddie Gaedel's jersey; SABR BioProject, Eddie Gaedel; Bill Veeck, Veeck as in Wreck (1962))
- His jersey is kept at the Hall of Fame. (Source: National Baseball Hall of Fame on Eddie Gaedel's jersey; SABR BioProject, Eddie Gaedel; Bill Veeck, Veeck as in Wreck (1962))

## 6.62 Disco Demolition Night

A promotion in Chicago that got out of hand.

### Test 1: Disco Demolition Night

- It was held between the games of a doubleheader. (Source: Chicago White Sox history; SABR Games Project, Disco Demolition Night (12 July 1979); MLB.com retrospectives)
- He hated disco music. (Source: Chicago White Sox history; SABR Games Project, Disco Demolition Night (12 July 1979); MLB.com retrospectives)
- The price matched the DJ's station frequency. (Source: Chicago White Sox history; SABR Games Project, Disco Demolition Night (12 July 1979); MLB.com retrospectives)
- A crate full of vinyl was detonated. (Source: Chicago White Sox history; SABR Games Project, Disco Demolition Night (12 July 1979); MLB.com retrospectives)
- The field had been badly torn up. (Source: Chicago White Sox history; SABR Games Project, Disco Demolition Night (12 July 1979); MLB.com retrospectives)
- The Tigers won the forfeit. (Source: Chicago White Sox history; SABR Games Project, Disco Demolition Night (12 July 1979); MLB.com retrospectives)
- Mike Veeck later said it ended his career in the majors for years. (Source: Chicago White Sox history; SABR Games Project, Disco Demolition Night (12 July 1979); MLB.com retrospectives)
- The riot followed straight after the blast. (Source: Chicago White Sox history; SABR Games Project, Disco Demolition Night (12 July 1979); MLB.com retrospectives)
- It was one of the last forfeits in the majors. (Source: Chicago White Sox history; SABR Games Project, Disco Demolition Night (12 July 1979); MLB.com retrospectives)
- Rock fans had grown tired of it. (Source: Chicago White Sox history; SABR Games Project, Disco Demolition Night (12 July 1979); MLB.com retrospectives)

## 6.63 Ten Cent Beer Night

Cheap beer in Cleveland and a forfeited game.

### Test 1: Ten Cent Beer Night

- Around 25,000 fans came to the old Municipal Stadium. (Source: SABR Games Project, Ten Cent Beer Night (4 June 1974); Cleveland Guardians history; MLB.com retrospectives)
- The two clubs had brawled a week earlier. (Source: SABR Games Project, Ten Cent Beer Night (4 June 1974); Cleveland Guardians history; MLB.com retrospectives)
- The score was tied at that point. (Source: SABR Games Project, Ten Cent Beer Night (4 June 1974); Cleveland Guardians history; MLB.com retrospectives)
- The umpire called the game off. (Source: SABR Games Project, Ten Cent Beer Night (4 June 1974); Cleveland Guardians history; MLB.com retrospectives)
- Fans had surrounded their right fielder. (Source: SABR Games Project, Ten Cent Beer Night (4 June 1974); Cleveland Guardians history; MLB.com retrospectives)
- The usual price was much higher. (Source: SABR Games Project, Ten Cent Beer Night (4 June 1974); Cleveland Guardians history; MLB.com retrospectives)
- The huge lakeside stadium held over 70,000. (Source: SABR Games Project, Ten Cent Beer Night (4 June 1974); Cleveland Guardians history; MLB.com retrospectives)
- The trouble built up for hours. (Source: SABR Games Project, Ten Cent Beer Night (4 June 1974); Cleveland Guardians history; MLB.com retrospectives)
- 1974, 1979, then 1995, when fans threw souvenir balls onto the field. (Source: SABR Games Project, Ten Cent Beer Night (4 June 1974); Cleveland Guardians history; MLB.com retrospectives)
- He managed the Rangers that year. (Source: SABR Games Project, Ten Cent Beer Night (4 June 1974); Cleveland Guardians history; MLB.com retrospectives)

## 6.64 The Sidd Finch Hoax

The 168-mph pitcher who never existed.

### Test 1: The Sidd Finch hoax

- Many readers believed it. (Source: Sports Illustrated, 'The Curious Case of Sidd Finch' (1 April 1985, George Plimpton); SI Vault)
- The clue was in the date. (Source: Sports Illustrated, 'The Curious Case of Sidd Finch' (1 April 1985, George Plimpton); SI Vault)
- He was famous for trying sports himself. (Source: Sports Illustrated, 'The Curious Case of Sidd Finch' (1 April 1985, George Plimpton); SI Vault)
- Mets players and staff joined in the joke. (Source: Sports Illustrated, 'The Curious Case of Sidd Finch' (1 April 1985, George Plimpton); SI Vault)
- No real pitcher has come close. (Source: Sports Illustrated, 'The Curious Case of Sidd Finch' (1 April 1985, George Plimpton); SI Vault)
- He had studied with monks, the story said. (Source: Sports Illustrated, 'The Curious Case of Sidd Finch' (1 April 1985, George Plimpton); SI Vault)
- Few readers noticed it. (Source: Sports Illustrated, 'The Curious Case of Sidd Finch' (1 April 1985, George Plimpton); SI Vault)
- The joke ran for about two weeks. (Source: Sports Illustrated, 'The Curious Case of Sidd Finch' (1 April 1985, George Plimpton); SI Vault)
- 168, about 106, then about 94 mph. (Source: Sports Illustrated, 'The Curious Case of Sidd Finch' (1 April 1985, George Plimpton); SI Vault)
- The photos were posed by an art teacher. (Source: Sports Illustrated, 'The Curious Case of Sidd Finch' (1 April 1985, George Plimpton); SI Vault)

## 6.65 Moe Berg

The catcher who became a spy.

### Test 1: Moe Berg

- He later studied law at Columbia. (Source: SABR BioProject, Moe Berg; CIA, 'Moe Berg: the spy behind home plate' (cia.gov); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- He was a reliable backup. (Source: SABR BioProject, Moe Berg; CIA, 'Moe Berg: the spy behind home plate' (cia.gov); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- His film was later studied by the US military. (Source: SABR BioProject, Moe Berg; CIA, 'Moe Berg: the spy behind home plate' (cia.gov); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- He was to judge how close Germany was to an atomic bomb. (Source: SABR BioProject, Moe Berg; CIA, 'Moe Berg: the spy behind home plate' (cia.gov); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- He gave no reason in public. (Source: SABR BioProject, Moe Berg; CIA, 'Moe Berg: the spy behind home plate' (cia.gov); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- Listeners were amazed by his knowledge. (Source: SABR BioProject, Moe Berg; CIA, 'Moe Berg: the spy behind home plate' (cia.gov); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- A team-mate joked he spoke many and hit in none. (Source: SABR BioProject, Moe Berg; CIA, 'Moe Berg: the spy behind home plate' (cia.gov); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- 1923, 1934, 1944, then 1945. (Source: SABR BioProject, Moe Berg; CIA, 'Moe Berg: the spy behind home plate' (cia.gov); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- He had orders to act if Germany was close. (Source: SABR BioProject, Moe Berg; CIA, 'Moe Berg: the spy behind home plate' (cia.gov); National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- The Office of Strategic Services came before the CIA. (Source: SABR BioProject, Moe Berg; CIA, 'Moe Berg: the spy behind home plate' (cia.gov); National Baseball Hall of Fame)

## 6.66 Superstitions

Chicken dinners, licorice and lucky routines.

### Test 1: Superstitions

- His team-mate called him 'Chicken Man'. (Source: SABR BioProject (Wade Boggs, Turk Wendell, Moises Alou, Nomar Garciaparra); MLB.com features on superstitions)
- Every part of his day ran to the minute. (Source: SABR BioProject (Wade Boggs, Turk Wendell, Moises Alou, Nomar Garciaparra); MLB.com features on superstitions)
- Stepping on it is said to bring bad luck. (Source: SABR BioProject (Wade Boggs, Turk Wendell, Moises Alou, Nomar Garciaparra); MLB.com features on superstitions)
- He played 17 seasons without batting gloves. (Source: SABR BioProject (Wade Boggs, Turk Wendell, Moises Alou, Nomar Garciaparra); MLB.com features on superstitions)
- Fans copied his routine in the stands. (Source: SABR BioProject (Wade Boggs, Turk Wendell, Moises Alou, Nomar Garciaparra); MLB.com features on superstitions)
- Team-mates borrowed it too. (Source: SABR BioProject (Wade Boggs, Turk Wendell, Moises Alou, Nomar Garciaparra); MLB.com features on superstitions)
- He also wore a necklace of animal teeth. (Source: SABR BioProject (Wade Boggs, Turk Wendell, Moises Alou, Nomar Garciaparra); MLB.com features on superstitions)
- He never changed it. (Source: SABR BioProject (Wade Boggs, Turk Wendell, Moises Alou, Nomar Garciaparra); MLB.com features on superstitions)
- 1982, 1999, then 2005. (Source: SABR BioProject (Wade Boggs, Turk Wendell, Moises Alou, Nomar Garciaparra); MLB.com features on superstitions)
- He also asked for the number 99. (Source: SABR BioProject (Wade Boggs, Turk Wendell, Moises Alou, Nomar Garciaparra); MLB.com features on superstitions)

## 6.67 Strange Injuries

Sneezes, spiders and a fatal jump on home plate.

### Test 1: Strange injuries

- He sneezed twice and his back gave way. (Source: MLB.com and club reports (Sosa 2004, Kent 2002, Zumaya 2006, Morales 2010, Cordova 2002, Smoltz); SABR BioProject (Glenallen Hill, Clarence Blethen))
- He woke up cut and bruised. (Source: MLB.com and club reports (Sosa 2004, Kent 2002, Zumaya 2006, Morales 2010, Cordova 2002, Smoltz); SABR BioProject (Glenallen Hill, Clarence Blethen))
- He slid into second and the teeth bit him. (Source: MLB.com and club reports (Sosa 2004, Kent 2002, Zumaya 2006, Morales 2010, Cordova 2002, Smoltz); SABR BioProject (Glenallen Hill, Clarence Blethen))
- He had really fallen off a motorcycle. (Source: MLB.com and club reports (Sosa 2004, Kent 2002, Zumaya 2006, Morales 2010, Cordova 2002, Smoltz); SABR BioProject (Glenallen Hill, Clarence Blethen))
- He played it for hours on end. (Source: MLB.com and club reports (Sosa 2004, Kent 2002, Zumaya 2006, Morales 2010, Cordova 2002, Smoltz); SABR BioProject (Glenallen Hill, Clarence Blethen))
- He fell asleep under it. (Source: MLB.com and club reports (Sosa 2004, Kent 2002, Zumaya 2006, Morales 2010, Cordova 2002, Smoltz); SABR BioProject (Glenallen Hill, Clarence Blethen))
- He said it had worked before. (Source: MLB.com and club reports (Sosa 2004, Kent 2002, Zumaya 2006, Morales 2010, Cordova 2002, Smoltz); SABR BioProject (Glenallen Hill, Clarence Blethen))
- 1923, 1990, 2002, then 2004. (Source: MLB.com and club reports (Sosa 2004, Kent 2002, Zumaya 2006, Morales 2010, Cordova 2002, Smoltz); SABR BioProject (Glenallen Hill, Clarence Blethen))
- He missed the rest of the season. (Source: MLB.com and club reports (Sosa 2004, Kent 2002, Zumaya 2006, Morales 2010, Cordova 2002, Smoltz); SABR BioProject (Glenallen Hill, Clarence Blethen))
- Players now celebrate walk-offs more carefully. (Source: MLB.com and club reports (Sosa 2004, Kent 2002, Zumaya 2006, Morales 2010, Cordova 2002, Smoltz); SABR BioProject (Glenallen Hill, Clarence Blethen))

## 6.68 Animals at the Ballpark

Doves, midges, a squirrel and a seagull.

### Test 1: Animals at the ballpark

- The bird flew into the path of the ball. (Source: MLB.com (Randy Johnson 2001, Joba Chamberlain 2007, the Rally Squirrel 2011, bees at Chase Field 2023); Toronto Blue Jays on Dave Winfield (1983); Milwaukee Brewers on Hank)
- He lost his control as they covered him. (Source: MLB.com (Randy Johnson 2001, Joba Chamberlain 2007, the Rally Squirrel 2011, bees at Chase Field 2023); Toronto Blue Jays on Dave Winfield (1983); Milwaukee Brewers on Hank)
- The charges were dropped the next day. (Source: MLB.com (Randy Johnson 2001, Joba Chamberlain 2007, the Rally Squirrel 2011, bees at Chase Field 2023); Toronto Blue Jays on Dave Winfield (1983); Milwaukee Brewers on Hank)
- He was named after Hank Aaron. (Source: MLB.com (Randy Johnson 2001, Joba Chamberlain 2007, the Rally Squirrel 2011, bees at Chase Field 2023); Toronto Blue Jays on Dave Winfield (1983); Milwaukee Brewers on Hank)
- A beekeeper was called in. (Source: MLB.com (Randy Johnson 2001, Joba Chamberlain 2007, the Rally Squirrel 2011, bees at Chase Field 2023); Toronto Blue Jays on Dave Winfield (1983); Milwaukee Brewers on Hank)
- Many clubs hold one each season. (Source: MLB.com (Randy Johnson 2001, Joba Chamberlain 2007, the Rally Squirrel 2011, bees at Chase Field 2023); Toronto Blue Jays on Dave Winfield (1983); Milwaukee Brewers on Hank)
- The Cardinals went on to win the World Series. (Source: MLB.com (Randy Johnson 2001, Joba Chamberlain 2007, the Rally Squirrel 2011, bees at Chase Field 2023); Toronto Blue Jays on Dave Winfield (1983); Milwaukee Brewers on Hank)
- 1983, 2001, 2007, then 2011. (Source: MLB.com (Randy Johnson 2001, Joba Chamberlain 2007, the Rally Squirrel 2011, bees at Chase Field 2023); Toronto Blue Jays on Dave Winfield (1983); Milwaukee Brewers on Hank)
- Delays can last an hour or more. (Source: MLB.com (Randy Johnson 2001, Joba Chamberlain 2007, the Rally Squirrel 2011, bees at Chase Field 2023); Toronto Blue Jays on Dave Winfield (1983); Milwaukee Brewers on Hank)
- Fans made it a lucky charm. (Source: MLB.com (Randy Johnson 2001, Joba Chamberlain 2007, the Rally Squirrel 2011, bees at Chase Field 2023); Toronto Blue Jays on Dave Winfield (1983); Milwaukee Brewers on Hank)

## 6.69 Every Position in One Game

Players who took all nine places on the field in a day.

### Test 1: Every position in one game

- Kansas City's shortstop did it on a special night. (Source: SABR research, 'Players who played all nine positions in one game' (Campaneris 1965, Tovar 1968, Sheldon and Halter 2000, Romine 2017))
- He switched arms depending on the batter. (Source: SABR research, 'Players who played all nine positions in one game' (Campaneris 1965, Tovar 1968, Sheldon and Halter 2000, Romine 2017))
- It was Tovar's only inning on the mound. (Source: SABR research, 'Players who played all nine positions in one game' (Campaneris 1965, Tovar 1968, Sheldon and Halter 2000, Romine 2017))
- One did it for Texas, the other for Detroit. (Source: SABR research, 'Players who played all nine positions in one game' (Campaneris 1965, Tovar 1968, Sheldon and Halter 2000, Romine 2017))
- He did it on the last weekend of the season. (Source: SABR research, 'Players who played all nine positions in one game' (Campaneris 1965, Tovar 1968, Sheldon and Halter 2000, Romine 2017))
- Playing out of position risks losing. (Source: SABR research, 'Players who played all nine positions in one game' (Campaneris 1965, Tovar 1968, Sheldon and Halter 2000, Romine 2017))
- He had to leave the game. (Source: SABR research, 'Players who played all nine positions in one game' (Campaneris 1965, Tovar 1968, Sheldon and Halter 2000, Romine 2017))
- 1965, 1968, 2000, then 2017. (Source: SABR research, 'Players who played all nine positions in one game' (Campaneris 1965, Tovar 1968, Sheldon and Halter 2000, Romine 2017))
- Positions 1 to 6; the outfield is 7, 8 and 9. (Source: SABR research, 'Players who played all nine positions in one game' (Campaneris 1965, Tovar 1968, Sheldon and Halter 2000, Romine 2017))
- He played for the Kansas City Athletics. (Source: SABR research, 'Players who played all nine positions in one game' (Campaneris 1965, Tovar 1968, Sheldon and Halter 2000, Romine 2017))

## 6.70 Strange Plays

A blown ball, a bare hand, a head and a boy's glove.

### Test 1: Strange plays

- The umpire ruled it a hit anyway. (Source: MLB.com and SABR Games Project (Randle 1981, Mitchell 1989, Canseco 1993, Maier 1996, Twins 1990, Braves 2012, Blue Jays-Rangers 2015))
- He had overrun it and reached back. (Source: MLB.com and SABR Games Project (Randle 1981, Mitchell 1989, Canseco 1993, Maier 1996, Twins 1990, Braves 2012, Blue Jays-Rangers 2015))
- Carlos Martínez of Cleveland got the homer. (Source: MLB.com and SABR Games Project (Randle 1981, Mitchell 1989, Canseco 1993, Maier 1996, Twins 1990, Braves 2012, Blue Jays-Rangers 2015))
- They still lost the game. (Source: MLB.com and SABR Games Project (Randle 1981, Mitchell 1989, Canseco 1993, Maier 1996, Twins 1990, Braves 2012, Blue Jays-Rangers 2015))
- The ball had dropped in shallow left field. (Source: MLB.com and SABR Games Project (Randle 1981, Mitchell 1989, Canseco 1993, Maier 1996, Twins 1990, Braves 2012, Blue Jays-Rangers 2015))
- It set up one of the wildest innings in playoff history. (Source: MLB.com and SABR Games Project (Randle 1981, Mitchell 1989, Canseco 1993, Maier 1996, Twins 1990, Braves 2012, Blue Jays-Rangers 2015))
- No interference was called. (Source: MLB.com and SABR Games Project (Randle 1981, Mitchell 1989, Canseco 1993, Maier 1996, Twins 1990, Braves 2012, Blue Jays-Rangers 2015))
- 1981, 1989, 1993, then 1996. (Source: MLB.com and SABR Games Project (Randle 1981, Mitchell 1989, Canseco 1993, Maier 1996, Twins 1990, Braves 2012, Blue Jays-Rangers 2015))
- It is replayed on blooper reels to this day. (Source: MLB.com and SABR Games Project (Randle 1981, Mitchell 1989, Canseco 1993, Maier 1996, Twins 1990, Braves 2012, Blue Jays-Rangers 2015))
- The Orioles protested in vain. (Source: MLB.com and SABR Games Project (Randle 1981, Mitchell 1989, Canseco 1993, Maier 1996, Twins 1990, Braves 2012, Blue Jays-Rangers 2015))

Sources: Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: the National Baseball Hall of Fame, MLB and its clubs, the WBSC, SABR's BioProject, the Library of Congress, Guinness World Records, makers' and leagues' own histories and named reputable media.

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