Born: 1935 (Ridgeway, South Carolina)
Died: 2017 (Washington, D.C.)
Biography:
Mamie Peanut Johnson (September 27, 1935 – December 18, 2017) was an American professional baseball player who made history as one of three women and the first female pitcher to play in the Negro leagues. Born as Mamie Belton in Ridgeway, South Carolina, on September 27, 1935, she was the daughter of Della Belton Havelow and Gentry Harrison. When she was just a baby, her father left to start another family, and her mother moved to Washington, D.C., in search of better economic opportunities. Mamie was raised by her grandmother until the age of 8 when she moved in with her aunt and uncle in Long Branch, New Jersey.
Even from a young age, Mamie displayed a natural talent for sports. She would proudly tell the story of how she used to knock birds out of trees with rocks and played baseball with the boys in her neighborhood. Her mother often praised her baseball skills, attributing them to her father, who was also a talented ballplayer. Mamie’s athletic career officially began when she joined the Police Athletic League (PAL) in New Jersey. However, at the age of 11, she moved back to Washington, D.C., where she continued to play both baseball and softball.
Johnson attended Long Branch High School and graduated in 1949. She briefly attended New York University before embarking on her baseball career. After high school, Mamie played with the St. Cyprian recreational team in D.C. At the age of 17, she aspired to pursue a professional baseball career and tried out for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Unfortunately, due to racial segregation, Mamie was denied the opportunity to try out simply because of the color of her skin. However, her dreams were not shattered for long, as she soon received another chance to prove herself.
The Indianapolis Clowns, a team in the Negro leagues, offered Mamie Johnson the opportunity she had been seeking. Alongside Connie Morgan, Mamie joined the team in 1953 and played with them until 1955. Mamie quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with, amassing a remarkable 33-8 win-loss record as a right-handed pitcher. She possessed a deceptive fastball and showcased an impressive repertoire of pitches, including a slider, circle changeup, curveball, screwball, and knuckleball. To refine her curveball technique, Mamie even received advice from the legendary Satchel Paige.
Although Johnson excelled in her pitching, her contribution to the team extended to her skills at the plate as well. Batting right-handed, she consistently maintained a respectable batting average ranging from .262 to .284 throughout her career. Despite her small stature – standing at just 5 feet, 3 inches tall and weighing a mere 98 pounds during her playing days – Mamie earned the nickname Peanut. The moniker originated from an incident where she faced Hank Baylis of the Kansas City Monarchs. After a powerful strike, Baylis stepped out of the batter’s box and dismissively remarked, Why, that little girl’s no bigger than a peanut. I ain’t afraid of her. Little did he know, she would go on to strike him out.
Mamie Johnson and Connie Morgan’s popularity helped boost ticket sales for the Indianapolis Clowns. They were often featured in at least one game per appearance. Johnson’s impressive performances on the field as a pitcher and batter garnered admiration from fans and respect from her teammates. Despite the racial barriers and challenges she faced as a Black woman in a predominantly male league, Mamie Johnson’s talent, determination, and love for the game elevated her to legendary status.
Awards:
– Inducted into the Women in Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008