the girl who struck out Babe Ruth

In 1931, Kenneshaw Mountain Landis, the first commissioner of organized baseball declared women unfit to play baseball, as the sport was "too strenuous" (and the MLB officially banned women from signing contracts in 1952). This announcement came the day after a 17-year-old girl named Jackie Mitchell, who played on a minor league team, struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in an exhibition game.

via fanniesroom.blogspot.com

I hadn't heard of Jackie Mitchell before–but I should have. And now I know who she is thanks to Fannie's Room.

Filed under: Miscellany