While digging through the old subreddit, I came across our old series of history posts from the 2017-2018 offseason, written by various members of the sub. I had particular fun writing this one about Bill Veeck and his bizarre promotional events, including a very special one held in the autumn of 1948…
This is the story of Good Old Joe Earley Night.
From bobbleheads to fireworks to Weather Education Day (and all the dollar dog nights in between), promotional events have always been a way for baseball teams to celebrate players and give back to the fans. Tribe fans have had their fair share of exciting events to attend—some more ill-advised than others—but the golden era for Cleveland Indians promotions was under the ownership of the iconic Bill Veeck (pictured here as a fifer at the 1976 White Sox Opening Day ceremonies… yes, he had a peg leg).
A Brief History of Bill Veeck
There’s enough to say about Bill Veeck to fill the pages of dozens of books, but here are some highlights:
- As part-owner of the then-AAA Milwaukee Brewers (1941-1946), Veeck gave away live animals during games, held morning games for night-shift workers and staged weddings at home plate
- Became minority owner of the Cleveland Indians in 1946 for only $286,000
- Hired Max Patkin, the “Clown Prince of Baseball,” to coach for the Indians
- Signed Larry Doby, the first African-American player in AL history, in 1947
- Signed Satchel Paige in 1948
- Attempted to trade Lou Boudreau to the St. Louis Browns, but when fans protested, Veeck went from bar to bar in Cleveland to admit his mistake and personally announce that the deal was off
- Buried the Indians’ 1948 WS championship flag in 1949 when it became clear they wouldn’t repeat the previous season’s success
- Forced to sell his stake in the team in 1949 during an expensive divorce settlement
- As owner of the St. Louis Browns in 1951, sent 3’7” Eddie Gaedel to the plate in one of his most infamous stunts
- Held “Grandstand Manager’s Day” a few days after the Gaedel incident by giving thousands of fans signs that said “yes” on one side and “no” on the other and having them vote on plays (the fans did well; the Browns snapped a losing streak and won 5-3)
- Installed an exploding scoreboard at Comiskey Park in 1959
- Incorporated shorts into the White Sox uniform
- Held the disastrous “Disco Demolition Night” in 1979
But one of the more charming—and less riot-filled—gimmicks of Veeck’s was the oft-forgot “Good Old Joe Earley Night”…
Good Old Joe Earley
In September 1948, Tribe fan Joe Earley submitted a letter to the editor to the Cleveland Press in response to the Indians’ recent “Ken Keltner Night” promotion. The note facetiously complained that athletes already got enough attention and didn’t need any more "nights" or "days" as recognition:
“Now they want a “Bill Veeck Night.” It’s a good idea, but here’s another suggestion. Let’s have a “Joe Earley Night.” I pay my rent and my landlord spends it on things that keep business stimulated. I keep the gas station attendant in business by buying gas regularly. I keep the milkman in clover by buying milk. He uses trucks and tires and as a result big industry is kept going. The paper boy delivers the paper, wears out a pair of shoes occasionally and the shoemaker wins. My wife keeps a grocer and a butcher (don’t we all) in business and the department stores as well. A lot of people depend on me (and you) so let us all get together, and send in your contributions for that new car for “Good Old Joe Earley Night.” – Joe Earley, 1380 Westlake Ave.
What initially started as a joke soon turned into something much bigger; days after his letter appeared in the paper, Earley, a WWII veteran and night watchman at an auto plant, received mail, phone calls and even cash donations from readers. Surprised by the outpouring, Earley vowed to donate the money to the Cancer Fund and assumed that was that…
…and it might have been, had Bill Veeck not caught wind of it.
A Tribute to the Average Fan
Never one to let an opportunity for promotional fun pass him by, Bill Veeck declared September 28 to be “Good Old Joe Earley Night,” a tribute to the average fan who worked hard to make ends meet but still found a way to come to games and cheer on the Tribe. It was the last home night game of the season and the Indians were leading the division, on their way to a World Series championship (unbeknownst, of course, to those in attendance), and the stadium was abuzz with excitement over the team’s success and the surprises Veeck had in store.
To start things off right, Veeck hired an air-conditioned plane to fly 20,000 orchids from Hawaii to be distributed to the first 20,000 female fans entering the stadium.
Then, before players could take the field, Veeck walked onto the diamond with a microphone and began to hand out prizes to random fans, including four rabbits “for good luck” (note: this is a pic of animals being treated poorly, just FYI), an old horse, and three step ladders (to one fan).
When Joe Earley and his wife were escorted onto the field, Veeck announced they were giving them a new house in the “early American architecture” style and presented the couple with a run-down outhouse on the back of a truck, much to the amusement of the crowd. Veeck then proclaimed Joe would be given a “grand, fully equipped automobile,” and a rusty old Model T rolled onto the field, backfiring and losing parts as it made its way across the diamond. The gag gifts continued, culminating with a number of livestock being presented to the Earleys.
Bill Veeck loved outrageous stunts, but he was also a generous man. Once the parade of silly gifts ended, he brought out the real prizes for the man of honor and his wife: a truck filled with new appliances (including a refrigerator, washing machine and dryer) donated by Cleveland businesses, a brand-new convertible, luggage, books, clothing, and a lifetime pass for entry to any American League ballpark.
The Tribe won that game 11-0 and went on to become World Series champions that season. Though 1948 was memorable for many reasons, September 28 would always hold a special place in the hearts of Joe Earley and the 60,405 average fans in attendance for “Good Old Joe Earley Night.”
In addition to the items linked above, the following sources were used:
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Dan Holmes, "Bill Veeck's 'Night to End All Nights,'" Sept. 1, 2007
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Franklin A. Lewis, The Cleveland Indians, (Kent, Ohio: Kent State University Press, 2006), p. 264
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David E. Kaiser, Epic Season: The 1948 American League Pennant Race, (Amherst, Mass.: University of Massachusetts Press, 1998), p. 179
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Warren Corbett, "Bill Veeck," Society for American Baseball Research
I haven't been able to find a bunch of the old history posts, but each week I'll do my best to share one here. If anyone is inspired to write their own Cleveland baseball history post, please let me know!