Sparky Adams

Earl John "Sparky" Adams (August 26, 1894 – February 24, 1989) was an American professional Major League Baseball player who played with the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, and Cincinnati Reds. At , Adams was the smallest Major League player during his career.

Career Chicago Cubs Adams made his Major League debut with the Cubs on September 18, 1922. He played 11 games during the 1922 season. He spent the following two seasons as the team's shortstop, splitting time at the position with Charlie Hollocher. The 1925 season became his breakthrough, as he became a second baseman as a result of a trade that sent George Grantham to Pittsburgh, leaving the second base position open. As a hitter, he finished the season with 26 stolen bases, eight triples, and 627 at-bats, which led the National League. It was also considered a good move for Pittsburgh, with sportswriters picking the Pirates to finish first the National League in 1928. He was given the starting second baseman job for the 1928 season. Adams took the place of George Grantham, so was moved to first base, the second time that Adams forced Grantham to another infield position. He played two games as the Cardinals won the 1931 World Series. Adams was the last surviving member of the 1931 World Champion Cardinals. The following season, he only played 31 games due to injury.

Cincinnati Reds On May 7, 1933, Adams was traded along with Paul Derringer and Allyn Stout to the Cincinnati Reds for Leo Durocher, Dutch Henry, and Jack Ogden, after playing only eight games for the Cardinals that season. He became the starting leadoff man during the 1933 season, as he had been for the other teams he played for. During the 1934 season, as primarily a backup to Mark Koenig, Adams was used as the backup second baseman and third baseman. At the end of the season, Adams was released, then retired at the end of the 1935 season.

After his retirement, he became a farmer and a service station operator in Tremont, Pennsylvania.

When he died in Pottsville, Pennsylvania on February 24, 1989, he was the last remaining player of the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1931 World Series.

Career statistics In 1,424 games over 13 seasons, Adams posted a .286 batting average (1,588-for-5,557) with 844 runs, 249 doubles, 48 triples, 9 home runs, 394 RBI, 154 stolen bases, 453 bases on balls.343 on-base percentage and .353 slugging percentage. He finished his career with a .963 fielding percentage playing at second base, third base, shortstop and several games in the outfield. In the 1930 and '31 World Series, he was unproductive, hitting only .160 (4-for-25) with only one RBI.