This is Mamie “Peanut” Johnson. She was the first woman to pitch in the Negro Leagues, and was a two-way player. Her career came at the tail end of the Negro Leagues beginning after the Negro National League had already disbanded. She pitched for the Indianapolis Clowns from 1953-55. She had initially attempted to try out for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, but was barred due to race. Johnson was one of just three women to play in the Negro Leagues, but she was the only one who pitched. She’s believed to have compiled a 33-8 record on the mound in her three seasons pitching for the Clowns. She hit, too – the reports vary, but all place her within the range of .260 to .285 for her career batting average. Johnson stopped playing after the 1955 season, becoming a nurse, the occupation that she’d have for the rest of her working career. Living in Washington, D.C., she rooted for the Nationals later in life and was selected by the club in a 2008 draft, when living Negro Leagues players were drafted to current Major League teams. She passed away in 2017. Respect to her legacy!
