Who is taller: Fontenot or Albie Pearson?

by HoosierFan on Jun 2, 2009 2:46 PM CDT

The LA Times has an article today about how Albie Pearson was the shortest player in MLB history at 5'5".

I definitely have my doubts. Fontenot is listed at 5'8" but appears to be much shorter when you look at him out on the field. Could the Cubs have an "all-time leader" on the roster as we speak? It would be cool to have seen the shortest player of all time, even if modern practice is to puff up your height and weight to intimidate the opposition.

Of course this entire discussion assumes that Eddie Gaedel doesn't count as a real MLB player, since he only batted once, walked on four balls, and was immediately replaced by a pinch-runner.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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It said

he was one of the shortest. That’s a big difference.

Wasn’t Freddie Patek 5’2"?

by jerry morales rules on Jun 2, 2009 3:11 PM CDT reply actions

Fred Patek was listed at 5'4

Also the White Sox had a shortstop in the late 70’s named Harry Chapas who was listed at 5’3 which would make him, I believe, the smallest player in baseball history. Not counting Eddie Gaedel.

by bluekoolaide on Jun 2, 2009 3:21 PM CDT reply actions

Missed your Chappas reference. See the link posted below.

Chappas was the shortest “real” player in MLB history.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Jun 2, 2009 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions

I LOVED Patek

The ORIGINAL scrappy player. Patek really was 5’4. I don’t think he added any extra inches.

FYI Eddie Gaedel SHOULD count. He is in the books hence “you can look it up” ( hope some baseball gets that reference)

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on Jun 2, 2009 3:37 PM CDT reply actions

Casey Stengel!

Gaedel is in the books. But he was a stunt, not a legitimate player.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Jun 2, 2009 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Al, I am disappointed in you

Especially since we were discussing Gaedel

Here it is http://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/16/books/l-you-could-look-it-up-529486.html

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on Jun 2, 2009 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Pearson wasn't the shortest player in MLB history.

Harry Chappas, listed at 5-3, was.

Trust me on this one: I have met Mike Fontenot. He’s not 5-8; he’s probably closer to 5-5.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Jun 2, 2009 3:43 PM CDT reply actions

Another current player...

… who is far shorter than his listed height of 5-9 is Dustin Pedroia. Most people who have met Pedroia say he’s about 5-5.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Jun 2, 2009 3:45 PM CDT reply actions

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't hear you. I was just polishing my MVP trophy."

"I'll never forget how I felt last October." ~Kosuke Fukudome

by Goodie1969 on Jun 2, 2009 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Well he just got a hit and run in the 1st for my fantasy team.

Which is named in appreciation of Riot, Fonty and RJ ( even if none of them are on it) Wrigley Midgets. I figured any team with
midgets in the name was a good one for Pedroia.

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on Jun 2, 2009 6:13 PM CDT up reply actions