Eddie Gaedel, who continued to make show business appearances after his brief moment in the baseball spotlight, died of a heart attack in June 1961 after he was mugged on a Chicago street. He was 36.

Columnist Ben Hochman looks back at the time 3-foot-7 Eddie Gaedel played for the St. Louis Browns of the American League. And, as always, Hochman chooses a random St. Louis Cards card from the hat.

Fifty years ago today, Bill Veeck pulled the best gimmick of his career, hiring Eddie Gaedel for a one-time-only appearance as a pinch hitter for the St. Louis Browns. The gag was that Gaedel was ...