The Girl Who Struck Out Babe Ruth

On My Own History

by Jean L.S. Patrick, Jeni Reeves (Illustrator)

A retelling of the day Jackie Mitchell, a seventeen-year-old female professional baseball player, struck out the New York Yankees best hitters, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, in an exhibition game in 1931.

Genres: Biography, Sports, Childrens, History, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Spanish Literature

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historical non-fiction story about baseball and a young woman who defied the odds. Worth reading, especially for baseball fans. Grade level: 1-2.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nicely done biography of Jackie Mitchell's strikeout of both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. It makes it pretty clear that the author felt that Gehrig was adult about her playing. The Babe, not especially. He struck out enough it is hard to tell if the naysayers were right in claiming it a PR stunt. But since she went on to other teams and games, I doubt it was a stunt. I'm trying to read more women's history which is how I came across this nicely done book. Recommended.

[Travelmaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertainingly written biography of Jackie Mitchell, the 17 year old girl who struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Helpful history and background about the time period and her life, in addition to the adventure of the day.

[TimsGlitterBug · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting piece of unknown baseball history. Now what to believe, the myths this inspired, or the facts as they are known...

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Focus is on a single game where she played with the Tennessee Lookouts and pitched against Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig and struck them both out.

Notes that after that the commissioner wanted her out of the league, although she played with other teams.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young reader's book about Jackie Mitchell, focused on her signing with the Lookouts and then two of the at-bats she pitched against the Yankees.

Lou Gehrig definitely comes off looking better here than does Babe Ruth; that seems true across tellings of this story, though it was maybe more so here.

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story. In actuality was a publicity stunt to draw fans to an exhibition game. Jackie Mitchell went to her grave believing she struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful facts to learn about Jackie and the Babe. I greatly enjoyed reading it and I'm interested to hear more.

[Emmanuel B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super quick read but an amazing story to read to your daughters. As a father who loves baseball and tries to share that love with my girls, I have learned to share with relatable facts, stories and anecdotes. Stories that THEY find interesting so that they can remember and enjoy them. They won't get excited about ERAs but reading about a girl who actually struck out the Great Bambino was a fun night. The book also exposed them to Lou Gehrig which in turn opened the opportunity for me to discuss who the Iron Horse was and what is Lou Gehrig disease. I even showed them the greatest sports speech ever!
The book is written in a very fun and simple manner, where you learn who Jackie Mitchell was and what she accomplished. Using Babe Ruth as an anchor for the story, it really paves the way to discuss women in baseball.
A must read for any parent who wants to introduce the great feats and accomplishments of women in baseball!

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about history -great!
A book about a girl showing boys up....priceless!

This is an early reader about Jackie Miller. Why have I not heard about Jackie? In an exhibition game she struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig...she had signed a contract to play on a minor league men's team, but after the strike outs they canceled her contracts. Women were too delicate for baseball.. and it was rumored that Babe Ruth didn't think women had any right playing baseball.. Maybe he was so embarrassed that he was instrumental in getting her sacked.

Some think Babe and Lou struck out on purpose...but I would guess, major stars wouldn't strike out on purpose...it makes no sense to me.
!!
So go Jackie Miller Girls Rule

[Elizabeth Sparks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a historical fiction book that talks about a girl who is able to strike out Babe Ruth and the role women played in baseball during that time period. This would be a good book for first or second grade girls interested in softball. A main theme is that women can do anything men can if they just put their mind to it. I rated this book a four because I love books about sports especially baseball and it shows how Jackie's hard work paid off.

[Meegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not only written well, it also has a great moral. Jackie had talent and was a pioneer for women during that time when women weren’t allowed on professional baseball teams. I would recommend this book to children in grades second to fourth for a book report. This isn’t a book you would read for pleasure, but it is still interesting.

[Christie Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is all about girl power! It's a historical look at a young woman who went against the norm of the day, and got to play on a minor league babeball team for a short time. The book dares kids to dream big and work for their goals.