St. Patrick's Day Salute to 5 Really Short Pro Athletes

Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day.   A time to celebrate Saint Patrick, who died in the year 461.  Which I believe is also the year Joan Rivers was born.

What better way to celebrate this joyous day than by paying tribute to one of the truly iconic figures that dominate the landscape every March 17^th.  Of course, I speak of the Leprechaun. 

Unfortunately, since there are no Leprechauns currently playing in any of the professional sports leagues (unless you count WWE's Hornswoggle), I felt the next best way to give props to the Leprechaun's legacy would be by giving a shout-out to the men who stand head and shoulders above the rest, metaphorically speaking of course.

So here is just a small sample of the athletes who currently hold the title of being the shortest in their chosen profession.

Trindon Holliday: Shortest Player in the NFL

Name:   Trindon Holliday

Height:  5’5”

Team:   Houston Texans

Trindon Holliday is a wide receiver for the Houston Texans. 

Although the NFL's shortest player, Trindon is still considered one of the fastest.  Not a bad attribute to have considering his line of work.

They say everything is big in Texas, and given Trindon’s accomplishments, I’d say this would apply to him.

Earl Boykins: Shortest Player in the NBA

Name:  Earl Boykins

Height: 5’5”

Team:   Washington Wizards

At 5’5”, Earl is the second shortest player ever to play in the NBA.

The record for the shortest player is still held in high-esteem by Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues.

Nathan Gerbe: Shortest Player in the NHL

Name:   Nathan Gerbe

Height:  5’5”

Team:   Buffalo Sabres

American Nathan Gerbe is currently the shortest player to lace them up in the NHL. 

The diminutive left-winger says that, for inspiration, he looks  to the play of Tampa Bay Lightning Martin St. Louis (5'7") and Philadelphia Flyer Danny Briere (5'10").

Takehiro Harusaki: MMA's Shortest Fighter

Name:    Takehiro Harusaki

Height:   5’1”

League: Sherdog

The tale of the tape for Takehiro Harusaki sees him clocking in at a minuscule 5’1”, 114 lbs.

The Japanese-born combatant fights in the aptly named "strawweight" category.

Daniel Herrera: Shortest Player in Major League Baseball

Name:   Daniel Herrera

Height:  5’6”

Team:   New York Mets

The shortest player in the MLB is pitcher Daniel Herrera from the New York Mets. 

Herrera stands at 5’6”, but whenever he takes the mound, he looks much taller.