Magdalen Redman facts for kids

Magdalen "Mamie" Redman (born July 2, 1930 – died August 22, 2020) was a talented baseball player. She played as a catcher and an infield player. Mamie was part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) from 1948 to 1954. She was 5 feet 5 inches tall and played baseball using her right hand for both batting and throwing.

Mamie's Early Life and Baseball Dreams

Magdalen Redman was born in Waupun, Wisconsin. When she was growing up, girls were not allowed to play in organized baseball leagues like Little League Baseball. So, Mamie played "sandlot ball" with other kids in her neighborhood. This was like playing casual baseball games in an empty lot or field.

She started playing organized softball when she was 17. This was in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, which was about 37 miles from her hometown. A scout from the AAGPBL saw her play. Scouts look for talented players to join professional teams.

Joining the Professional League

Mamie received an invitation to spring training. This is where players practice and try out for teams before the season starts. She went to spring training in Opa-locka, Florida in 1948.

Mamie made the team and was assigned to the Kenosha Comets. She played for the Comets for two years. After that, she joined the Grand Rapids Chicks and played with them from 1950 to 1954.

Playing in the AAGPBL

Mamie Redman had a strong and steady career during her seven years in the AAGPBL. People noticed her passion for the game and her deep understanding of baseball.

Mamie's Positions on the Field

In her first year, Mamie played almost every position on the field, except for pitcher. After that, she mostly played in the infield, especially at third base. Later in her career, she became a full-time catcher.

As a catcher, Mamie was known for her excellent defense. She was great at catching low balls and blocking home plate. She also had a strong and accurate throwing arm.

Her Defensive Skills and Team Success

Mamie was one of the best catchers in the league for defense. In 1949, she had the best fielding average among all catchers, with a .978 score. Fielding average shows how well a player handles the ball without making errors.

She achieved this again in 1953, leading all catchers with a .975 fielding average. Her great defense helped the Grand Rapids Chicks win the Championship Series that year!

Mamie's Batting Performance

Mamie's best year for hitting was in 1954. She had a .240 batting average. This means she got a hit about 24% of the times she tried to hit the ball. She also scored 39 runs and had 20 RBI (runs batted in) in 75 games. These were her highest numbers for a single season.

Overall, Mamie had a career batting average of .172. However, she had a notable .349 on-base percentage. This shows how often she got on base, whether by a hit or a walk. In playoff games, she batted .267 with three runs and three RBI in six games. As a catcher, she made only 40 errors out of 1,345 chances, which is a very good .970 fielding average.

The Bill Allington All-Stars Tour

The AAGPBL stopped playing in 1955. After the league ended, Mamie Redman joined a special touring team. This team was called the All-Americans All-Stars. Bill Allington, a former manager from the league, chose the players for this team.

The All-Stars played 100 games, each in a different town. They played against male teams and traveled over 10,000 miles! They traveled in the manager's station wagon and a Ford Country Sedan. Many famous players from the AAGPBL were on this team, including Joan Berger, Gloria Cordes, Jeanie Descombes, Gertrude Dunn, Betty Foss, Mary Froning, Jean Geissinger, Katie Horstman, Maxine Kline, Dolores Lee, Ruth Richard, Dorothy Schroeder, Jean Smith, Dolly Vanderlip, and Joanne Weaver.

Life After Baseball

After her baseball career, Mamie Redman became a teacher. She taught physical education at Oconomowoc High School. Then, she taught mathematics for 26 years.

Mamie also traveled a lot. She went across the United States, Canada, and Europe to teach adult bible studies. She loved outdoor activities and was a very good golfer. She often had a low handicap, which means she was skilled at golf.

Honoring Women in Baseball

Since 1988, Mamie Redman has been part of a special display called Women in Baseball. This is a permanent exhibit at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. This display honors all the women who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. It celebrates the entire league, not just individual players.

Mamie Redman lived in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, for many years. She passed away there on August 22, 2020.

Mamie's Baseball Stats

Here are some of Mamie Redman's career statistics from her time in the AAGPBL:

Batting

Fielding

Sources