April 2, 1931 â Thought by some to be a belated April Foolsâ Day hoax, At Engel Stadium Chattanooga Lookoutsâ pitcher Jackie Mitchell, a 17 year-old girl, strikes out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in the first inning of an exhibition game, facing the Bronx Bombers sluggers after entering the game in relief. She also walks Tony Lazzeri in Chattanoogaâs 14 â 4 loss to the New York Yankees. According to legend, Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis will void the teenagerâs professional contract, declaring women are unfit to play baseball as the game is âtoo strenuousâ, In 1933 Mitchell will pitch for the House of David team.
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