AAGPBL Interview - Jean Weaver

Jean was one of the famous Weaver sisters of the AAGPBL. She took the time to answer a few of our questions.

1) How did you get interested in playing baseball and where did you play before you turned pro?

All three of us sisters played baseball with our dad. He was a minor league pitcher, we would get enough players around the country and play in the field where the cows were. So you better watch where you step!

2) Describe your signing.

The first time was really scary. For playing in a big city and never being from the farm. The contract we signed in 1952 and 1953 was for a monthly salary of $250. Not very many zeros after the 25.

3) What position(s) did you play? Which teams did you play for?

I was a pitcher and a utility player. All three of us sisters played for the Ft. Wayne Daisies. We stayed with that team until it folded.

4) What was the best thing about playing pro ball?

Seeing all the cities.

5) What was the worst thing about playing ball?

In skirts.

6) What was the highlight of your career?

In 1953 I pitched a 7-1 record, striking out 41 batters.

7) Who were the best players you played with or faced? Comments?

My sisters Betty and Joanne.

Jean is not just being a proud sibling - her older sister Betty won the batting title in both 1950 and 1951, and took the league MVP in 1952. Younger sister Jo took the batting title in 1952, 1953 and then in 1954 with a .429 average. Jo won the 1954 MVP

8) Do you think the fans and press accepted you more as the years wore on? (Describe how it was when you started. Did increased exposure change some minds?)

Yes, at very first they thought it was a joke. I just wanted to play so bad that I didn't think about the people in the stands.

9) Who were your favorite big league ballplayers during the era you played in?

All the men and women that were fighting for us overseas were my favorite and also my heroes. And I don't ever forget them.

10) Do you follow big league ball now? If so, how do you think it compares with your day?

Money and drugs. They're in the newspapers every day, good and bad.

11) Should women have their own pro league, should they play in the majors, or should we have both (a women's league and the chance for the best women players to play in the majors?)

Both.

12) How do you feel about the Silver Bullets?

Who?

13) Briefly describe your life since your pro career ended.

I went to Chicago and made my living up there. My sisters stayed in Ft. Wayne. I retired in 1985 and moved back home close by to be with mom and dad. Joanne, the youngest, moved back in 1990. Betty, the oldest, moved back in 1994. So all three of us got to see each other every day. Now the sad news. Betty died 2-8-2000 of Lou Gehrig's disease. Joanne died 3-19-2002, also of Lou Gehrig's disease.

14) What advice do you have for young women who want to become pro ballplayers?

Go for it.

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