Frank Saucier
From BR Bullpen
Francis Field Saucier
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 180 lb.
- School Westminster College
- Debut July 21, 1951
- Final Game September 23, 1951
- Born May 28, 1926 in Leslie, MO USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Frank Saucier was originally the player who was in the starting lineup for the St. Louis Browns on August 18, 1951, when Bill Veeck pulled off his memorable stunt of sending 3' 7" Eddie Gaedel to the plate. Saucier's role was chronicled in the book Veeck as in Wreck, with the Browns owner writing. "We started Frank in place of regular center fielder Jim Delsing. This is the only part of the gag I feel bad about. Frank was a great kid with great promise and all he is remembered for is being the guy the midget batted for."
Frank who had just one base hit in 14 big league at-bats with the Browns in 1951, did show exceptional promise in the minors. He hit .357 for the Belleville Stags of the Illinois State League in his first year in pro baseball in 1948. Frank then had the highest batting average in all of professional baseball in 1949, winning the Big State League batting title with a robust .446 mark for the Wichita Falls Spudders, making the All-Star team and helping lead his team to the league pennant. Saucier also won the Texas League batting title with a .343 average for the San Antonio Missions in 1950.
Contrary to a lot of talk, Saucier was not upset or angry about the Eddie Gaedel flim-flam and is always willing to tell the real story. Frank had been playing injured and welcomed the chance to leave the game and return to Texas where he was in the oil business. Before his retirement in Amarillo, TX, he was the vice-president and director of the First Savings and Loan Association there.
Saucier, who had served as a Navy deck lieutenant in World War II, was recalled to active duty in January of 1952 for two years during the Korean War.
