Pee Wee Wanninger played for only one year, in 1925, so why is his contract from the 1925 season important? Wanninger was the man who ended one of baseball's longest iron man streaks (consecutive games played, now held by Cal Ripken Jr.) and helped to start the next iron man streak held by Lou Gehrig.

Here's the incredible story: Everett Scott was the New York Yankees' shortstop in 1925. He had played in 1307 straight games dating back to June 20, 1916. On May 6, 1925, Yankees manager Miller Huggins benched Scott on the pretense that Scott wasn't feeling well. Scott was incensed as the benching ended his streak. Wanninger replaced Scott and, just three weeks later, on June 1, Lou Gehrig pinched hit for Wanninger. That pinch-hitting appearance started Gehrig's unimaginable consecutive games played streak. He would play in every game until May 2, 1939 -- 2130 games in all.