Jackie Mitchell struck out two of the game's greats
In 1931 17-year-old Jackie Mitchell was banned from baseball after striking out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in back-to-back at-bats.
Video Transcript
A 17 year old girl struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in back to back at-bats, and then she was banned from baseball.
No joke.
Jackie Mitchell lived next to Dazzy Vance, a Hall of Fame pitcher, and he taught Jackie how to throw the perfect drop ball, a pitch that looked hittable until it nosedived.
By 17, she was playing semi-pro.
She was signed to.
Pro contract in 1931.
A week later, the Yankees came to town for a spring training exhibition in front of 4000 witnesses.
First up, she struck out Babe Ruth.
Next up, Lou Gehrig.
She struck him out without him ever touching the ball.
Three days later, her contract was voided because the commissioner said baseball was too strenuous for women.
