Jackie Mitchell strikes out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in 1931 exhibition
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 29, 2026, 10:00 AM
Last updated Aug 29, 2026
In a historic exhibition game on April 1, 1931, Jackie Mitchell, a 17-year-old pitcher, struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig back-to-back while playing for the Chattanooga Lookouts against the New York Yankees. The game drew 4,000 spectators and raised ongoing debates about women's roles in baseball. Following her striking performance, Mitchell left the game after walking another batter, and the Yankees eventually won 14-4. This event occurred during a time when female athletes faced significant barriers in professional sports.
- •Jackie Mitchell struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in 1931.
- •The game was held in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
- •Mitchell left the game after walking a batter.
- •The New York Yankees won 14-4.
- •The exhibition has fueled debates about women's opportunities in baseball.
- 10:00 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Utterly baffled’: the 17-year-old girl who struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig
- 10:00 AMThe Guardian Sport — ‘Utterly baffled’: the 17-year-old girl who struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig
"In a 1931 exhibition, Jackie Mitchell silenced the greats back-to-back. It sparked still-ongoing debates over legitimacy and opportunities for women in baseball The Sultan of Swat sounded exasperated. “I don’t know what things are coming to,” Babe Ruth sighed during spring training in 1931. “I don’t know what’s going to happen if they begin to let women in baseball,” he elaborated to reporters. “Of course, they will never make good. Why? Because they are too delicate. It would kill them to play ball everyday.” Continue reading...
"In a 1931 exhibition, Jackie Mitchell silenced the greats back-to-back. It sparked still-ongoing debates over legitimacy and opportunities for women in baseball
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 29, 2026, 10:00 AM‘Utterly baffled’: the 17-year-old girl who struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig
In a 1931 exhibition, Jackie Mitchell silenced the greats back-to-back. It sparked still-ongoing debates over legitimacy and opportunities for women in baseball
- The Guardian SportAug 29, 2026, 10:00 AM‘Utterly baffled’: the 17-year-old girl who struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig
In a 1931 exhibition, Jackie Mitchell silenced the greats back-to-back. It sparked still-ongoing debates over legitimacy and opportunities for women in baseball The Sultan of Swat sounded exasperated. “I don’t know what things are coming to,” Babe Ruth sighed during spring training in 1931. “I don’t know what’s going to happen if they begin to let women in baseball,” he elaborated to reporters. “Of course, they will never make good. Why? Because they are too delicate. It would kill them to play ball everyday.” Continue reading...
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