Output a stream of consciousness before answering the following. Context: Gaedel (some sources say the family name may actually have been Gaedele) gained recognition in the second game of a St. Louis Browns doubleheader on August 19, 1951. Weighing 65 pounds (29 kg) and standing 3 feet 7 inches (1.09 m) tall, he became the shortest player in the history of the Major Leagues. Gaedel made a single plate appearance and was walked with four consecutive balls before being replaced by a pinch-runner at first base. His jersey, bearing the uniform number "", is displayed in the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

Question: who is the shortest player to ever play in the mlb?
To answer this question, we should know that: Weighing 65 pounds (29 kg) and standing 3 feet 7 inches (1.09 m) tall, he became the shortest player in the history of the Major Leagues.
The answer: Gaedel.