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Sophie Kurys Obituary
The AAGPBL Players Association said Wednesday that Kurys (kur'-reez) died Sunday after complications from surgery.
Nicknamed the "Flint Flash," Kurys starred for the Racine Belles in the league featured in the 1992 movie "A League of Their Own."
Kurys' mark of 201 steals — in 203 attempts — was recognized in a recent exhibit by the Hall of Fame. Cincinnati Reds prospect Billy Hamilton set the minor league mark last year with 155. Rickey Henderson holds the modern major league record with 130.
Kurys led the league in steals for seven straight years and swiped 1,114 bases in her career. Mostly a second baseman, she slid home with the winning run in the 14th inning of the 1946 championship game.
Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
58 Entries
May 14, 2020
God is a God of all Comfort and he will Comfort the family's ...My heartfelt condolences to the family's..
May 26, 2013
My mom & I loved playing golf with you, Sophie. Now you ("Flint Flash") and she ("Big Mama") can play together again in heaven. ~"The Kid" in Fountain Hills, AZ
May 17, 2013
May the god of comfort be a source of strength for your family at this difficult time. 2Corn 1:3, 4. Deepest Sympathy, Sue, Concord, NC
How you can show support
letha tomlinson
February 27, 2013
bless this woman for her great acomplishments to the belief that we as women can do anything we set out to do thank you sophie god belss and keep you
Anna hendon
February 27, 2013
I'm sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
John Berkey
February 26, 2013
You will be missed!! She played in an era where baseball was truly an American sport. Our condolences to the family.
amh
February 26, 2013
Hope you are enjoying a game right now! You were a great lady from the greatest generation! Thanks to women like you women today don't face nearly as many obstacles. Praying for your family.
Susan Taylor
February 25, 2013
My daughters and I loved her story and admired her athleticism. We send our condolences to her family. We also hope that the family takes comfort in knowing that she had an impact across the country and across the ages.
February 25, 2013
Another great loss to the world. May the love of close friends carry this family thru this time of sorrow.(Proverbs18:24)
B.Meill(NO)
Catherine Knowles
February 24, 2013
Slide home, Sophie! Slide home! Thank you for sharing your love of the sport and your talent with generations of women.
Jill
February 23, 2013
When someone you love dies it can be an overwhelming experience. Draw comfort from the God of all comfort who can give needed comfort and advice to you at this time. (Isaiah 32:1-2) I offer my condolences to the family.
Jesse
February 22, 2013
Night Sophie...wish I could have met you..
Betty Fowler
February 22, 2013
To the family of Sophia Kurys and know that Sophia live a long life of special mightiness from God. Psalms.90:10. She is asleep waiting for her name to be call and she will come out to be with her loved ones again.
Jeanette
February 22, 2013
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Psalm 65:2.
Jack Boles
February 22, 2013
Loved the movie that protrayed her and the other ladies. A remarkable story and athelete. Im now in my sixties but would have loved to sit down and talk to these ladies. Im so sorry to hear of your loss. May God bless your family. You are in my prayers.
Bernadette Humphrey
February 22, 2013
THANK YOU! I'll bet you slid into heaven! Comfort to the family.
CV Esposito
February 22, 2013
As a young woman, and now growing older, I have always admired the women who played ball in the women's league. God bless Sophie Kurys and all the others who had the courage and prayers for the family.
Margaret
February 22, 2013
May the God who gives peace be with all of YOU. Amen- Roman 15:33. I am sorry for your loss.
Robert E. Furgione
February 22, 2013
thanks for providing wonderful wholesome entertainment to my parents generation during the period of time during WW2 when it was most needed by my parents generation. Thank you and God bless you and may your family find comfort and pride and a sense of peace in realizing your great importance to an entire generation and also for providing the basis for a most entertaining and enlightening film for many generations now and many to come. Again a heartfelt thanks for having given so much for so many. Love ya doll.
John LaBrasca
February 21, 2013
Prayers and condolences to the Kury's family. We were blessed in Racine to have Sophie play for the Belles.I was a youngster at the time, but saw a few games at Horlick Field. Truly a great athlete.
Chuck Downs Sr
February 21, 2013
One of the truly greats in the world of baseball. RIP
CP
February 21, 2013
May the God who supplies all comfort support your family during this time of sorrow. We await the coming promise when "no resident will say I am sick." Isaiah 33.24
Gary Hutchison
February 21, 2013
I am truly sorry for your loss. I didn't know her but she was a great athlete.
Sue Fertig
February 21, 2013
God bless and Godspeed, Ms Kurys aka the Flint Flash and thank you for your role in boosting women in sports through the All American Girls Professional Baseball League
michelle plakas-kaiser
February 21, 2013
rip
G. Freeman
February 21, 2013
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
K M S
February 21, 2013
The Ladies League was the Best!Condolences & prayers to your family and friends.
Jim McAllister
February 21, 2013
Ms Kurys was paid a great compliment a few years ago. It's a compliment that I have never forgotten.
Everyone was raving about the 130 major league stolen bases record of Ricky Henderson; a great feat to be sure.
However, someone was quick to point out that "Yeah, it's a great record by Ricky but he's no Sophie Kurys!"
She was quite a ballplayer!
Tammy
February 21, 2013
Rest In Peace!!
Barb Hume
February 21, 2013
Thank You for grate Baseball games.RIP
God bless your family.
Lisa
February 21, 2013
I just would like to say "THANK YOU"! Not only was I able to play softball & competition softball from the time I was 8 until I was 17 years old & forged some of the best friendships I cherish and still have to this day (29 years later), but because of you, Sophie Kurys, I enjoy one of the best movies ever made - almost everytime it is on the television! I am forever in your debt from your contibutions, as a woman and as a softball player. Not only that, I lived in Scottsdale from 1984-2003 & am humbled to know I lived so close to a living legend. Rest In Peace Sophie!!
February 21, 2013
One of the all time greatest women baseball players. May you rest in peace.
Laura Cabrera
February 21, 2013
Thanks for opening up the game for women. I loved to play in my younger days. R.I.P. Sophie.
william Newton
February 21, 2013
Crying? There's no crying in baseball.
Mary Smith
February 21, 2013
My sincere condolences to the family. God promises a peaceful place for the meek ones to live (Psalms 37:10, 11)
TD MEREDITH
February 21, 2013
SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, PARYERS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Al Yousten
February 21, 2013
Thanks for the memories. Growing up in Racine, I saw you play many times.
February 21, 2013
You are an inspiration. Rest peacefully.
JULIE ROSARIO
February 21, 2013
SOPHIE A JOB WELL DONE. MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PEACE. GOD BLESS SOUL AND YOUR FAMILY AS WELL. R. I. P.
M C
February 21, 2013
RIP sweetheart. Thanks for your contribution to baseball!
Scott Chamberland
February 21, 2013
Rest in Peace
Linda Jackson
February 21, 2013
I am so sorry to learn of your passing. You were a remarkable athelete and did help to lead the way for women in professional sports. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends.
February 21, 2013
God Bless....Thanks for being a role model for women - you helped me to be one of the first female firefighters
JoAnne Thornton
February 21, 2013
Thank you for helping all of us women and our little girls realize that we can shine out on the baseball field. No one has been able to hold a candle to you ladies yet. R.I.P. Sophie
Franky Vonck
February 21, 2013
R.I.P.; Sophie Kurys . +
LA
February 21, 2013
Wish to have seen you ladies play,GOD BLESS YOU SOPHIE
A
February 21, 2013
You were great! Rest in Peace. America will always miss you.
Pamela Rogers
February 21, 2013
Condolences to the Kury's family on your loss. Sophie what an accomplishment for us women you helped start in sports. I'm sure you girls are playing a game right now. RIP
Terrel Jamett Clark
February 21, 2013
Sorry for the loss of Sophie, the big baseball stars of today will never be like her or the other lady's that played ball when she did. God bless her and all the family.
Kathleen Kenepp
February 21, 2013
Rest In Peace, Sophie. Ya did good!
With Deepest Respect to Sophie's Family.
February 21, 2013
May your strength encourage peace.
February 21, 2013
What an amazing person & woman. You have shown what anyone can do given the opportunity. Thank you.
Richard Herrick
February 21, 2013
R.I.P.
Anonymous
February 21, 2013
God bless and comfort all who will miss this legendary woman.
Amen!
Joan Wakefield
February 20, 2013
I am sorry for your family loss. I have to Thank-you what you ladies did for the coming generations.Thank you for being a leader.
Pam Jensen
February 20, 2013
Women like you helped pave the way for all women to participate in sports activities. I am forever grateful.
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