Behind The Scoreboard – Girls Will Be Girls In Baseball

Garden City NY

17 July, 2021

2:11 PM

Description

My philosophy is "Everything I ever needed to know about business I learned on the sports field." From Behind The Scoreboard, I feature the sports stories that tell us much more than simply who won or lost. These personal and inspiring experiences of grade school, high school, college, other amateur and even pro athletes allow all of us to reflect a little more on what is important in life. ~ James C. Metzger, Chairman and CEO, The Whitmore Agency _______ A Girl’s Dream Comes True 60 Years Later Gwen Goldman is an inspiration to women and girls everywhere, especially to her daughters and a granddaughter. Sixty years ago, all she wanted was to become a bat girl for the New York Yankees, her favorite team. Her written request arrived at the team’s offices. The general manager at the time agreed with Gwen that she was as capable as the boys, but he also felt that a dugout of men might not be the place for a 10-year-old young lady. Gwen’s wish finally came true a few weeks ago. Donning the Yankees pinstripes, she was on the field and in a dugout full of young men! Her daughter had sent a copy of her original letter to the current Yankees front office. The reply welcomed her to the ballpark. She threw the ceremonial first pitch before a game and then served as the honorary bat girl. Women and girls in the game is not as rare a sight as it was during 1961. The Yankees already have had several women serve as assistant general managers. Women also are part of the minor league organization while several other ladies have been in the New York broadcast booth for more than a decade. Possibly Gwen’s letter a long time ago started the ball rolling. Read more about her in my blog.