Bob Cain

Bob Cain was born in tiny Longford in 1924.  He signed a contract with the New York Giants in 1943 and worked his way through their system.  In 1949, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox and made his debut that same season.

In 1950, Cain won nine games for the White Sox and won 12 in 1951 in a season split between Chicago and Detroit.  Cain pitched in only 35 games for the Tigers, but one of them included one of the most famous moments in baseball history.

Cain was pitching on August 19, 1951 when 3’7” Eddie Gaedel was sent to the plate by the Browns as a pinch-hitter.  His catcher was fellow Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame member Bob Swift.  Cain walked Gaedel on four pitches in the only time a little person batted in the major leagues.

Following the 1951 season, Cain was traded to the Browns.  He won 12 games in 1952 and only four in 1953.  He would return to the minor for three seasons before retiring.

Cain died in 1997 at the age of 72.