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O'Doherty's Irish Grille hosts 75th anniversary celebration for Eddie Gaedel

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 20, 2026, 2:01 AM

Last updated Aug 20, 2026

Baseball

Summary

O'Doherty's Irish Grille in Spokane celebrates the 75th anniversary of Eddie Gaedel's historic MLB appearance. On August 19, 1951, the 3-foot-7 Gaedel made history as the shortest player to step into a Major League Baseball game. The annual celebration, organized by the Spokane Gaedel Society, features events including the distribution of commemorative T-shirts and a sing-along. This year, the society plans to petition for Gaedel's sainthood, honoring his unique legacy in baseball lore. The event draws fans and newcomers alike to celebrate Gaedel's contributions to the sport.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Celebration marks 75 years since Gaedel's MLB debut.
•Gaedel became the shortest MLB player in history.
•The event features free T-shirts and a rendition of a popular baseball song.
•Gaedel Society aims for a petition for his sainthood.
•O'Doherty's serves as a gathering spot for Gaedel enthusiasts.

Latest Updates

2:01 AMYahoo Sports — O'Doherty's Irish Grille to celebrate 75th anniversary of Eddie Gaedel, MLB's shortest player

What they're saying

"
Aug. 19—When 3-foot-7 Eddie Gaedel stepped up to bat for the St. Louis Browns on Aug. 19, 1951, a "magic moment" in baseball occurred, according to Spokane's Tom Keefe. After four consecutive balls — the strike zone is significantly smaller and harder to hit for a short batter — Gaedel, 26, became the shortest person in history to play in a Major League Baseball game with a single plate ...
— Yahoo Sports

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