Description
Mary Baumgartner was an American professional baseball player who played as a catcher from 1949 through 1954 in the AAGPBL. She batted and threw right-handed. Mary’s lifelong nickname ‘Wimp’ was inspired by a hamburger-loving character in the Popeye comic strip. Known more for her glove work than her bat, behind the plate is where she really shined. HOF 1988.
The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) was a professional women’s baseball league founded by Philip K. Wrigley which existed from 1943 to 1954. The AAGPBL is the forerunner of women’s professional league sports in the United States. Over 600 women played in the league. It was not really a well-known fact until filmmaker Penny Marshall premiered her 1992 film A League of Their Own.
Presented is an unofficial baseball autographed by Mary Baumgartner. She signed it (‘Wimp’Baumgartner So Bend Blue Sox ’49 – 54’) on the sweet spot in black ballpoint pen (“8-9”). Also included is a signed A-A GPBL card in black felt tip (9).
Authentication: JSA Basic Cert & Sticker