This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/31/2016
Offered here is a Rawlings official American League baseball, upon which pitcher Bob Cain (1924-1997) respectively printed his narratives about Bill Veeck's greatest inspiration. Covering most of an OAL (Budig) ball's surface, Cain has written, in full, "As you may know, Eddie Gaedel stepped out of a big birthday cake wearing a Brownie uniform # 1/8. We all thought it was a big joke until the umpire asked for his contract, which the Browns manager produced. When he was announced to bat, our catcher layed on the ground to give me a low target, the umpire made him get into his usual squat position and yelled play ball. I walked him on four pitches high. Bill Veeck was on the roof of the stadium and said he would have shot Eddie if he swung. Midgets were banned from baseball the next day. We won the game 6-2. At the time I was pitching for the Detroit Tigers. Jim Delsing pinch-ran for Eddie when he reached first. He finished with a 1.000 on base percentage. I was the only baseball player to attend his funeral in 1961. Although I never met him I felt compelled to go. Pitcher: Bob Cain – Catcher: Bob Swift – Umpire: Ed Hurley – Midget: Eddie Gaedel. August 19, 1951." COA from PSA/DNA.