Yale Murphy

William Henry Murphy
(Tot or Midget)

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 3", Weight 125 lb.
• School Yale University
• Debut April 19, 1894
• Final Game July 26, 1897
• Born October 11, 1869 in Southborough, MA USA
• Died February 14, 1906 in Westborough, MA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Yale Murphy and Dickey Pearce, both standing 5' 3" tall, are the shortest players ever to have a career in major league baseball (that doesn't count Eddie Gaedel, who was only in one game). Heights are unknown for some players historically.

Murphy, nicknamed "Yale" because he went to Yale University, played for, of all teams, the New York "Giants". He backed up Shorty Fuller, who stood 5' 6", at shortstop, and Yale also played some outfield. He worked two National League games as an umpire in 1895 and 1897.

His height inspired a book about him, "Yale Murphy, the Great Short-Stop, or, The Little Midget..." in 1894.