Ten Cent Beer Night & More Bizarre Baseball

Baseball is back, and fans all over the country are again enjoying the thrill and satisfaction that only comes from America’s best sport. With baseball on my mind this week, it seemed appropriate to share a bit of bizarre baseball history. Fun and strange things can happen at the ballpark.
The Shortest Home Run in History – This is a minor league baseball story, circa 1900. Andy Oyler was a shortstop for the Minnesota Millers. After a night of heavy rain, his team found themselves playing in deep mud the next day. At bat in the bottom of the ninth inning, Oyler ducked a pitch that was apparently aimed at his head. The ball inadvertently hit Oyler’s bat and traveled approximately 24 inches before sinking into the mud in front of home plate. Oyler saw the ball, but none of the opposing fielders did. He was able to complete an inside-the-park home run before the ball was found.
The Smallest Pinch Hitter – In 1951, Bill Veeck, owner of the St. Louis Browns, came up with a wild publicity stunt. He signed professional performer Eddie Gaedel as a new player. Gaedel was a little person, standing just 3 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 60 pounds…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get INSTANT online access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!