Edward Carl `` Eddie '' Gaedel ( June 8 , 1925 -- June 18 , 1961 ) , born in Chicago , Illinois , was an American man who was a midget who became famous for playing in a Major League Baseball game . Edward Carl Gaedel ( June 8 , 1925 â `` June 18 , 1961 ) , born in Chicago , Illinois , was an American with dwarfism who became famous for participating in a Major League Baseball game .