History Daily – "Babe Didrikson’s Hitless Inning" (March 20, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode of History Daily, hosted by Lindsay Graham, brings listeners to a landmark event in sports and women's history: the day Mildred "Babe" Didrikson pitched a hitless inning against the Brooklyn Dodgers on March 20, 1934. Through vivid narration, the episode explores Babe’s extraordinary athletic career, her resilience in the face of gender barriers, and her many achievements across track and field, baseball, and golf. The tone is admiring and immersive, blending storytelling with historical insight to highlight Babe’s lasting legacy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: March 20, 1934 (00:40–03:00, 12:09–16:18)

• Babe’s Landmark Appearance: On this day, 32-year-old Babe Didrikson made history as only the second woman to play in a Major League exhibition game, invited to pitch the first inning for the Philadelphia A's against the Brooklyn Dodgers.
• Reception: As Babe enters the field, she’s met with laughter and skepticism from the Dodgers’ bench, facing ridicule simply for being a woman among male pros.
• The Inning Unfolds:
  • Babe coolly delivers two blazing strikes to the first batter, stunning him and the crowd.
  • She walks the first batter after four balls (12:09), then faces down the next—who had mocked her.
  • The second batter is hit by a pitch, silencing the jeers.
  • With two men on base, Babe induces a grounder leading to a dramatic triple play—ending the inning without giving up a hit.

Notable Moment

“She’s used to being underestimated, and she’s looking forward to proving this guy wrong.”
— Narrator, (01:09)

Notable Quote

“All three Dodgers are out, and the inning is over... Babe has recorded a hitless inning, and the next morning’s papers are full of praise.”
— Narrator, (15:36)

2. Babe’s Early Life & Rise to Fame (04:16–09:50)

• Unique Talents: Sixth of seven children, Babe earned her nickname from baseball legend Babe Ruth and shone in almost every sport she attempted—especially track and field.
• Solo Olympic Hopeful: At the 1932 Olympic trials, Babe was the only member of her "team" and entered eight out of ten possible events, an unheard-of feat.
• Olympic Achievements:
  • Set a world record in the baseball throw but couldn’t compete in the event at the Olympics.
  • Secured her Olympic berth by winning the javelin after a shoulder injury; also claimed gold in the 80m hurdles and a silver in the high jump (due to a controversial disqualification despite tying for the best height).

Notable Moment

“Babe wants more than her seat on the Olympic team. She wants her one woman team to win the trials.”
— Narrator, (07:43)

3. Pioneering Professionalism & Baseball (12:09–16:18)

• Breaking Barriers: Post-Olympics, Babe became one of the first women to profit from sports, earning substantial fees from public appearances and professional games—at a rate 50 times higher than the average female worker.
• Baseball Stunt and Success:
  • In exhibition games, owners were quick to include Babe, recognizing her crowd-drawing power.
  • Despite occasionally struggling (e.g., later giving up 4 hits and 3 runs to the Red Sox), her performance—especially the hitless inning against the Dodgers—remained legendary.

Notable Quote

“Babe could continue earning good money from her baseball appearances, but she wants to compete too much to be happy just playing for the crowd.”
— Narrator, (15:59)

4. Later Life & Golfing Triumphs (18:04–21:44)

• From Baseball to Golf: Shifting her focus in her mid-30s, Babe excelled in golf—even becoming the first woman to compete in the L.A. Open, a men’s professional tournament.
• Battling Adversity: Diagnosed with colon cancer, Babe defied medical advice by returning to competitive golf less than 14 weeks post-operation.
• Final Victory:
  • At the 1954 Women’s U.S. Open (age 43), despite intense pain, she won her third title by the largest margin of her career—an emotional crowning achievement.
  • Her 10th and final major title, achieved after doctors told her she’d never play again.

Notable Moment

“But Babe wasn’t prepared to give up the game. Less than 14 weeks after her operation, Babe was back competing in major tournaments.”
— Narrator, (19:16)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Facing Doubt:

  “The Brooklyn Dodgers are right to be worried. Mildred Babe Didrickson is unlike any player they’ve faced before.”
  — Narrator, (01:52)

• Dealing with Setbacks:

  “For most athletes, two gold medals and a silver would be considered an excellent haul. But for Babe, it’s one step short of perfection.”
  — Narrator, (09:29)

• Defying the Odds:

  “And it’s been achieved after doctors told her she’d never play golf again.”
  — Narrator, (20:36)

Timeline of Key Events & Timestamps

• [00:40] – Babe prepares to take the mound against the Brooklyn Dodgers.
• [01:09] – Babe faces skepticism and prepares to prove her doubters wrong.
• [04:16] – Background on Babe’s early sports prowess and Olympic trials.
• [07:43] – Babe’s one-woman team wins the Olympic trials.
• [09:29] – Olympic results; triumph and heartbreak.
• [12:09] – Return to March 20, 1934: the inning against the Dodgers, earning fame and breaking attendance records.
• [15:36] – The triple play and celebration: a headline-making moment.
• [18:04] – Two decades later: Babe’s return to golf, cancer diagnosis, and 1954 US Open victory.
• [20:36] – The significance of her last major win and her legacy.

Babe Didrikson’s Legacy

Babe Didrikson Zaharias’s life was defined by relentless determination, unmatched versatility, and barrier-breaking achievements:

• Athletic Versatility: Olympic champion, baseball pioneer, golf legend.
• Cultural Impact: Among the first women athletes to achieve financial independence through sports.
• Enduring Inspiration: Overcame prejudice, injury, and illness to rewrite the record books and expand the horizons for generations of women athletes.

“But though her life is cut tragically short, she’ll leave behind an unparalleled record of sporting success across multiple disciplines…”
— Narrator, (21:26)

By centering on Babe’s hitless inning, the episode powerfully illustrates how, in a single afternoon, she defied expectations—and then spent a lifetime making history. For listeners, her story is as much about courage in the face of doubt as it is about winning and records.