Joanne McComb (March 1, 1933 – June 21, 2023) was an American player in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She was nicknamed "Jo" by her teammates, and both threw and batted right-handed.
Background
editJoanne McComb was born in Avonmore, Pennsylvania on March 1, 1933. Her father taught her to play baseball. McComb recalled being a young girl and playing ball on the street with the boys. She explained that: “a neighbor came up to my mother and said, ‘Why does your daughter act like that? Why can’t she be more ladylike?’ My mother never said a word.”[1] One of her most significant influences was growing up on a street where all her neighbors enjoyed playing baseball. Every single day, they played a game of baseball in the middle of their street. People from all over town came to watch it.
McComb earned herself a reputation throughout her life as being very helpful to everyone. She even gave of her time to coach other women. She was a very good friend to everyone too and would often be found helping her friends and neighbors through tough times in their lives. At the same time, she was very self-confident, most likely because of her place in the baseball league.[2]
Professional career
editMcComb first heard about the league from an article she read in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. In that article the try-outs were mentioned.
McComb played in first base for the Springfield Sallies in 1950. This was her favorite position. Her favorite manager was Mitch Skupien and her favorite chaperone was Barbara Liebrich (whose nickname was Bobbie).[3]
McComb's most memorable baseball-related experience was playing in a Yankee Stadium before a Yankee versus Philadelphia A’s game.
An award was created for McComb at Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. It is the “Joanne McComb Outstanding Female Athlete Underclassman Award.”
Death
editJoanne McComb died on June 21, 2023, at the age of 90.[3]
Career statistics
editSeasonal Batting record
| Year | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 69 | 242 | 32 | 34 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 9 | 37 | 43 | .140 |
References
edit- ^ Carr, Samantha. "Women Who Made History". Cooperstown Chatter. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
- ^ Stabile, Mike. "All American Girl's Professional Baseball League: Eleanor Moore and Joanne McComb". Prezi. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
- ^ a b "Joanne McComb: AAGPBL Player Profile". AAGPBL. Retrieved 22 December 2014.