Eunice Taylor
Encyclopedia
Eunice Taylor [Tuffy] was an American
female catcher
who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
(AAGPBL).
Taylor was born in Racine, Wisconsin
on February 12, 1934. She grew up in Kenosha, Wisconsin
and tried out for the league as a 15-year-old, but was rejected due to her age.
She was picked up the following year by the Chicago Colleens
, a barnstorming promotional team that played games across the United States and Canada playing games against the Springfield Sallies
. She played for the Kenosha Comets
in 1951. During her two seasons in the league, Taylor played in 85 games, with a .182 batting average and 25 RBI. As catcher she had 80 putout
s and 18 assists
to go along with 9 errors.
The league was popularized in the 1992 movie A League of Their Own
, and Taylor was reportedly the inspiration for the character played by Rosie O'Donnell
in the film.
In a 2005 interview, Taylor recounted how she and her brother learned the sport from their baseball-loving father. She enjoyed traveling across the country to play games and having the opportunity to see the Northeastern United States
, though she was a bit homesick for her family. Taylor played a three-inning game in Yankee Stadium
, the highlight of her baseball career, where she had a chance to meet Yogi Berra
and Connie Mack
.
and opened Hobscot Pet Supply in Fort Lauderdale
in the late 1960s with her partner Diana Walega. Together they bought a house in Mount Dora, Florida
in 1992 and moved her business there in 1999.
She is survived by Walega, her partner of 45 years; her brother, Dr. Donald Taylor of Tampa; four nieces and one nephew.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
female catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was a women's professional baseball league founded by Philip K. Wrigley which existed from 1943 to 1954. During the league's history, over 600 women played ball.-History:...
(AAGPBL).
Taylor was born in Racine, Wisconsin
Racine, Wisconsin
Racine is a city in and the county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 82,196...
on February 12, 1934. She grew up in Kenosha, Wisconsin
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Kenosha is a city and the county seat of Kenosha County in the State of Wisconsin in United States. With a population of 99,218 as of May 2011, Kenosha is the fourth-largest city in Wisconsin. Kenosha is also the fourth-largest city on the western shore of Lake Michigan, following Chicago,...
and tried out for the league as a 15-year-old, but was rejected due to her age.
She was picked up the following year by the Chicago Colleens
Chicago Colleens
The Chicago Colleens were a women's professional baseball team who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The team represented Chicago, Illinois and played their home games at Shewbridge Field....
, a barnstorming promotional team that played games across the United States and Canada playing games against the Springfield Sallies
Springfield Sallies
The Springfield Sallies were a women's professional baseball team who joined the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in the season. The team represented Springfield, Illinois, and played their games at Lanphier Ball Park....
. She played for the Kenosha Comets
Kenosha Comets
Based in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the Kenosha Comets were a women's professional baseball team that played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The team played their home games at Kenosha's Lake Front Stadium, but later moved to Simmons Field.The Kenosha Comets were one...
in 1951. During her two seasons in the league, Taylor played in 85 games, with a .182 batting average and 25 RBI. As catcher she had 80 putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
s and 18 assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
to go along with 9 errors.
The league was popularized in the 1992 movie A League of Their Own
A League of Their Own
A League of Their Own is a 1992 American comedy-drama film that tells a fictionalized account of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League . Directed by Penny Marshall, the film stars Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Tom Hanks, Madonna, and Rosie O'Donnell...
, and Taylor was reportedly the inspiration for the character played by Rosie O'Donnell
Rosie O'Donnell
Roseann "Rosie" O'Donnell is an American stand-up comedian, actress, author and television personality. She has also been a magazine editor and continues to be a celebrity blogger, LGBT rights activist, television producer and collaborative partner in the LGBT family vacation company R Family...
in the film.
In a 2005 interview, Taylor recounted how she and her brother learned the sport from their baseball-loving father. She enjoyed traveling across the country to play games and having the opportunity to see the Northeastern United States
Northeastern United States
The Northeastern United States is a region of the United States as defined by the United States Census Bureau.-Composition:The region comprises nine states: the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont; and the Mid-Atlantic states of New...
, though she was a bit homesick for her family. Taylor played a three-inning game in Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
, the highlight of her baseball career, where she had a chance to meet Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
and Connie Mack
Connie Mack (baseball)
Cornelius McGillicuddy, Sr. , better known as Connie Mack, was an American professional baseball player, manager, and team owner. The longest-serving manager in Major League Baseball history, he holds records for wins , losses , and games managed , with his victory total being almost 1,000 more...
.
Personal life
Taylor moved to FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
and opened Hobscot Pet Supply in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale is a city in the U.S. state of Florida, on the Atlantic coast. It is the county seat of Broward County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 165,521. It is a principal city of the South Florida metropolitan area, which was home to 5,564,635 people at the 2010...
in the late 1960s with her partner Diana Walega. Together they bought a house in Mount Dora, Florida
Mount Dora, Florida
Mount Dora is a U.S. city in Lake County, Florida. As of July 1, 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates the Mount Dora population at 11,564. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
in 1992 and moved her business there in 1999.
Death
Taylor died in her sleep, aged 75, at her home in Mount Dora on May 8, 2009.She is survived by Walega, her partner of 45 years; her brother, Dr. Donald Taylor of Tampa; four nieces and one nephew.