Jackie Mitchell, a 17 year-old girl, strikes out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig

Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Mitchell

 April 2, 1931 — Thought by some to be a belated April Fools’ Day hoax, At Engel Stadium Chattanooga Lookouts’ 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 Chattanooga’s 14 – 4 loss to the New York Yankees. According to legend, Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis will void the teenager’s professional contract, declaring women are unfit to play baseball as the game is “too strenuous”, In 1933 Mitchell will pitch for the House of David team.

 

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