Major League Baseball is back, making it a great time to remember Jackie Mitchell, who in 1931 struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in succession. (The stars are seen above watching Mitchell pitch.)
The backdrop: the New York Yankees were passing through Chattanooga, Tennessee as part of an exhibition tour to play the Chattanooga Lookouts.
The game: Mitchell was called into action on April 2nd after the Lookouts’ first pitcher gave up back-to-back hits. The first batter she faced was “The Sultan of Swat.”
The aftermath: it wasn’t great!
Mitchell died in 1987, but not before delivering an incredible quote about her 1931 performance.
Go deeper: listen to a Legendary Bites episode covering Mitchell’s exploits.