To many, the entertainment (or shenanigans to some) that routinely occur during breaks in action of modern sporting events are just part of the entire live sporting event spectator experience.
There was a time, however, when going to a sporting event was just going to see the sporting event.
That’s where today’s Fan Teaser subject comes in.
Bill Veeck Jr. always seemed to think outside the box.
The son of a baseball writer turned President of the Chicago Cubs, Veeck Jr. was working in ballparks almost from the beginning. First as a vendor at both Wrigley Field and Comiskey Park and utlimately handling other tasks. Did you know he was the one who came up with the idea for planting the famous ivy on Wrigley Field’s outfield walls?
During the 1940s he was part of an ownership group that purchasend the then-AAA Milwaukee Brewers. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps for three years during World War II and that’s when a battlefield accident led to the amputation of his right leg above the knee.
Ultimately, he purchased the Cleveland Indians and promptly signed Larry Doby to a contract (the first black player in American League history). The next season he signed pitcher Satchel Paige.
Along the way he also owned the Chicago White Sox (twice) and the St. Louis Browns. While in St. Louis, Veeck signed Eddie Gaedel to a 1-game contract and sent him out to lead off the second game of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers. Gaedel, who stood but 3-foot-7, walked on four straight pitches and was pulled for a pinch-runner.
The promotions came fast and furious with Veeck. He allowed fans to determine in-game strategies, in-game fireworks after home runs, coompleting trades in hotel lobbies, unique uniforms (including shorts!), announcers singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” showers for overheated fans in the bleachers, and the ill-fated Disco Demolition Night between games of a doubleheader in 1979 that led to the forfeiture of the second game because of the ensuing riot and damaged field.
Veeck, who died in 1986, was enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991.
For more about the man who was known as “Wild Bill” check out his autobiography Veeck as in Wreck, listen to his son Mike on Season 3, Episode 14 of our podcast “Conversations with Sports Fan,” or watch the quasi-documentary about Mike Veeck and his family’s life, The Saint of Second Chances (streaming on Netflix).
