This week as part of Women's History Month, we introduce you to some amazing women - today Sophie Kurys, the speedy superstar of the AAGPBL.
Sophie Kurys played for 8 years in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She was a 4x All-Star, and the Player of the Year in 1946. That year shew would set an all-time professional baseball record for stolen bases with 201 in 203 attempts.
Sophie would play for the Racine Belles and started her career as an 18 year old, making $50 per week, mainly playing second base.
In the 1946 season, Kurys would tie for second in hitting at .286, with five doubles, six triples, and three homers. She would also set five league records: most runs scored in a season, 117, most stolen bases in a season, 201, most walks in a season, 93, most runs scored in a game, five, and best fielding percentage at second base, .973.
In 2009, Grand Valley State University would do a series of audio collections. This one would include Kurys giving her oral history.
Kurys would retire, but then make a brief comeback in 1952, hitting .318 in 17 games for Battle Creek.
In 1986 Kurys was inducted into the Greater Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame, and in 1988 was part of the National Baseball Hall of Fame permanent display on Women in Baseball.
#HistoryInYourSize
