Jim Delsing, 80; St. Louis Ballplayer Pinch-Ran for Midget Eddie Gaedel

Former St. Louis Browns outfielder Jim Delsing, best known for his part in one of baseball’s more unusual stunts, died Thursday of cancer at his home in Chesterfield, Mo. He was 80.

On Aug. 19, 1951, the Browns were playing a doubleheader against Detroit when St. Louis owner Bill Veeck had a midget named Eddie Gaedel sent up to bat in the second game. After Tiger pitcher Bob Cain walked Gaedel on four pitches, Browns Manager Zack Taylor sent Delsing in to pinch-run for him. The Browns lost, 6 to 2.

Born in Rudolph, Wis., Delsing signed a professional contract at age 16 in 1942 with Green Bay of the Wisconsin State League. After five seasons in the minor leagues, Delsing started his 10-year career in the majors. He played 20 games for the Chicago White Sox in 1948, then was traded to the New York Yankees in 1949.

He was traded to the Browns on June 15, 1950. He played 69 games for the Browns and finished with a .263 batting average before being traded to Detroit in 1952. He later played for the Kansas City Athletics.