• Home
  • Search
  • Browse Collections
  • My Account
  • About
  • DC Network Digital Commons Network™
Skip to main content

Digital Commons @ Winthrop University

  • Home
  • About
  • FAQ
  • My Account

Home > Dacus > Pettus Archives > Galleries > AAGPBL

All-American Girls Professional Baseball League

The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), which was returned to the country’s attention in the 1992 film A League of Their Own, is a fascinating subject. With the onset of World War II, many minor league baseball franchises found themselves at a crossroads. Losing many of their players to military service, minor league teams began to feel the pinch and many went under. Philip K. Wrigley, the chewing gum mogul and owner of the Chicago Cubs, created the All-American Girls Softball League in 1943 to bring in the crowds and to help these franchises stay afloat. The league eventually became the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) and was the inspiration for the 1992 hit movie.

The Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections at Winthrop University is fortunate to have a burgeoning collection of material pertaining to the AAGPBL. The collection was begun in 2005 with the gift of Elizabeth “Lib” Mahon’s papers. Through the efforts of retired Winthrop Reference Librarian and baseball historian, Bob Gorman, Mahon’s niece donated Mahon’s papers to the Archives. Mahon was a Winthrop graduate (Class of 1942) and played in the league from 1944 to 1952. Lib was a gifted outfielder who was known for her hitting prowess and her speed. In 1946 the two-time all-star stole 114 bases in 116 attempts.

Again, through Bob Gorman, the Archives acquired Jean Faut’s Papers. Faut, who now lives in Rock Hill, starred as a pitcher for the South Bend Blue Sox in the league from 1946 to 1953. She was twice the recipient of the Player of the Year award and her 1.23 ERA was the lowest in league history. She was also the only professional pitcher (male or female) to throw two perfect games during her career. The Archives has material pertaining to several other players, including Sue Kidd and Ruth Born, as well as the league as a whole.

The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Collection includes the following manuscript collections:

  • Elizabeth B. Mahon Papers - Accession 992 - M434 (485)
  • Elizabeth B. Mahon Papers - Accession 1215
  • Jean Faut Papers - Accession 1369
  • Sue Kidd AAGPBL Collection - Accession 1499
  • Ruth Born AAGPBL Collection - Accession 1461
  • All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Home Movies - Accession 1385 - M686 (742)
  • All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Collection - Accession 1389
  • A Team of Their Own: All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Documentary - Accession 1534 M745 (802)
Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.

Follow

Switch View View Slideshow
 
  • 1951 - Marcia Coller, Aussie, Lucille Niezgodski, Jane "Jeep" Stoll, and Barbara Hoffman by Elizabeth Mahon, Marcia Coller, Lucille Niezgodski, Jane Jeep Stoll, and Barbara Hoffman

    1951 - Marcia Coller, Aussie, Lucille Niezgodski, Jane "Jeep" Stoll, and Barbara Hoffman

  • 1951 South Bend Blue Sox by sue Kidd

    1951 South Bend Blue Sox

  • 1951 - South Bend Blue Sox fan "Aussie" in her home by Elizabeth Mahon

    1951 - South Bend Blue Sox fan "Aussie" in her home

  • 1952 South Bend Blue Sox Team Photograph by Sue Kidd

    1952 South Bend Blue Sox Team Photograph

  • 1953 - Amy Applegren and Jean Faut with Entertainer Johnnie Jones by Jean Anna Faut

    1953 - Amy Applegren and Jean Faut with Entertainer Johnnie Jones

  • 1953 circa - Jean Faut Poster by Jean Anna Faut, South Bend Blue Sox, and Playland Park

    1953 circa - Jean Faut Poster

  • 1953 circa - Jean Faut with husband and son by Jean Anna Faut, Karl Winsch, Larry Winsch, and South Bend Blue Sox

    1953 circa - Jean Faut with husband and son

  • 1956 - All American Girls Baseball Traveling Team by Jean Anna Faut

    1956 - All American Girls Baseball Traveling Team

  • 1966 Chippewa Lanes Sundown Bowling League by Elizabeth Mahon

    1966 Chippewa Lanes Sundown Bowling League

  • 1970s, circa. - Elizabeth "Lib" Mahon by Elizabeth Mahon

    1970s, circa. - Elizabeth "Lib" Mahon

  • 1980s, circa. - Elizabeth "Lib" Mahon by Elizabeth Mahon

    1980s, circa. - Elizabeth "Lib" Mahon

  • 1990 - Elizabeth "Lib" Mahon Mayoral Commendation by Elizabeth Mahon

    1990 - Elizabeth "Lib" Mahon Mayoral Commendation

  • 1990's, circa - Jean Faut Pitching by Jean Anna Faut

    1990's, circa - Jean Faut Pitching

  • 1992 - Elizabeth "Lib" Mahon at her 50th reunion for Winthrop Class of 1942 by Elizabeth Mahon

    1992 - Elizabeth "Lib" Mahon at her 50th reunion for Winthrop Class of 1942

  • 1992 - Jean Faut by Jean Anna Faut

    1992 - Jean Faut

  • 1993 - AAGPBL 50th Reunion in South Bend, Indiana by Jean Anna Faut

    1993 - AAGPBL 50th Reunion in South Bend, Indiana

  • 1993, circa. - Betsy Jochum, Janet Wiley, and Elizabeth Mahon by Jean Anna Faut, Betsy Jochum Jochum, Janet Wiley, and Elizabeth Mahon

    1993, circa. - Betsy Jochum, Janet Wiley, and Elizabeth Mahon

  • 2000, 08 - AAGPBL Reunion by Jean Anna Faut

    2000, 08 - AAGPBL Reunion

  • 2000's, circa - Jean Faut Being Interviewed for Documentary on League by Jean Anna Faut

    2000's, circa - Jean Faut Being Interviewed for Documentary on League

  • 2000's, circa - Jean Faut is Interviewed for Documentary on AAGPBL by Jean Anna Faut

    2000's, circa - Jean Faut is Interviewed for Documentary on AAGPBL

  • 2003, September 10-14 - AAGPBL 60th Reunion in Syracuse, NY by Jean Anna Faut

    2003, September 10-14 - AAGPBL 60th Reunion in Syracuse, NY

  • 2007, 10-25 - AAGPBL Reunion in Rockford, Illinois by Jean Anna Faut

    2007, 10-25 - AAGPBL Reunion in Rockford, Illinois

  • 2010, 03 - Jean Faut and Jim Sargent by Jean Anna Faut and Jim Sargent

    2010, 03 - Jean Faut and Jim Sargent

  • 2010, 03 - Jean Faut, Bob Gorman, and Jim Sargent by Jean Anna Faut, Robert (Bob) Gorman, and Jim Sargent

    2010, 03 - Jean Faut, Bob Gorman, and Jim Sargent

  • 2010 - Elizabeth "Lib" Mahon bio sketch by Jim Sargent by Elizabeth Mahon and Jim Sargent

    2010 - Elizabeth "Lib" Mahon bio sketch by Jim Sargent

  • "Old-Timers" from "A League of Their Own" by Sue Kidd, All American Girls Professional Baseball League, and A League of Their Own

    "Old-Timers" from "A League of Their Own"

 
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
 
 
  • Winthrop University

Advanced Search

  • Notify me via email or RSS

Browse

  • Collections
  • Disciplines
  • Authors

Author Corner

  • Author FAQ

Links

  • Louise Pettus Archives
  • Retrospect Newsletter
  • Ask an Archivist
  • Feedback

Researchers and Faculty

  • SelectedWorks Gallery
  • Expert Gallery

Gallery Locations

  • View gallery on map
  • View gallery in Google Earth

Links

  • Dacus Library
  • Louise Pettus Archives
Tweets by dacuslibrary
 
Digital Commons

Home | About | FAQ | My Account | Accessibility Statement

Privacy Copyright