Virne Beatrice “Jackie” Mitchell Gilbert (August 29, 1913 – January 7, 1987) was one of the first female pitchers in professional baseball history.
Jackie was 17 years old when she pitched for the Chattanooga Lookouts Class AA minor league baseball team in an exhibition game against the New York Yankees, and struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in succession.
Even though she was an amazing athlete, the media needed to still make her feminine enough to sell newspapers.
The Capital Times
Madison, Wisconsin
03 Apr 1931, Fri • Page 21
The Tacoma Daily Ledger
Tacoma, Washington
03 Apr 1931, Fri • Page 12
Thoughts and Ponderances 