Born: 1913 (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
Biography:
Jackie Mitchell, born as Virne Beatrice Mitchell Gilbert on August 29, 1913, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, was a trailblazer and one of the first female pitchers in professional baseball history. From an early age, Jackie developed a love for the game, thanks to her father, Dr. Joseph Mitchell, who taught her the basics of baseball as she took her first steps. Her next-door neighbor, Dazzy Vance, a renowned major league pitcher and later a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, played a crucial role in honing Jackie’s pitching skills and teaching her the art of the drop ball, a type of breaking ball.
At the age of 17, Jackie began playing for the Engelettes, a women’s baseball team in Chattanooga. Her talent and dedication caught the attention of Joe Engel, the president and owner of the Chattanooga Lookouts, who was known for using publicity stunts to draw crowds during the Great Depression. Recognizing the opportunity to generate interest and captivate audiences, Engel signed Jackie to the Lookouts on March 25, 1931.
On April 2, 1931, Jackie made her professional baseball debut, becoming only the second woman to play organized baseball, following Lizzie Arlington, who pitched in a minor league game in 1898. In an exhibition game between the Lookouts and the mighty New York Yankees, Jackie was called upon by Lookouts manager Bert Niehoff to pitch in the first inning after the starting pitcher struggled. This meant facing the iconic duo of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.
With a composed demeanor, Jackie took to the mound and delivered her pitches. Babe Ruth swung and missed at the next two pitches after taking a ball, and on the fourth pitch, Jackie’s called strike three left the legendary Ruth standing in awe. As Ruth was led away by his teammates, he made a remark to a Chattanooga newspaper, expressing doubts about women in baseball: I don’t know what’s going to happen if they begin to let women in baseball. Of course, they will never make good. Why Because they are too delicate. It would kill them to play ball every day.
Undeterred by Ruth’s comments, Jackie faced Lou Gehrig next, further adding to the exhilaration surrounding her performance. While Gehrig managed to make contact and hit a towering foul ball, he eventually fouled out, completing Jackie’s remarkable strikeout streak against these legendary baseball icons. The crowd erupted with applause and admiration for Jackie’s stellar pitching.
Jackie’s appearance against the New York Yankees created a significant buzz, drawing attention not only to the Lookouts but also to women in baseball. Her talent and courage challenged gender stereotypes and inspired many young girls with dreams of pursuing a career in sports. Despite the publicity and excitement surrounding her performance, Jackie’s time in professional baseball was short-lived.
A few days after her historic game, the baseball commissioner, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, voided Jackie’s contract, claiming that baseball was too strenuous for women and that the game was much too rough for them. Despite the setback, Jackie had left an indelible mark on the world of baseball and paved the way for future generations of female athletes.
Jackie Mitchell’s contributions to women’s history extend far beyond her achievements on the baseball field. As one of the first female pitchers in professional baseball, she defied societal expectations and shattered gender barriers. By demonstrating her skill and determination, Jackie inspired countless women to pursue their passions and challenge the limitations placed upon them. Her legacy serves as a reminder of the power of perseverance and the potential for change that lies within each individual.