Shirley Burkovich was an infielder and outfielder for teams in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), including the Rockford Peaches.
- Died: March 31, 2022 (Who else died on March 31?)
- Details of death: Died at a hospital in Rancho Mirage, California at the age of 89.
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AAGPBL
Burkovich played baseball with the boys in her neighborhood as a girl, becoming a strong player who could handle any position on the field. She tried out for the AAGPBL when she was just 16 years old, and when she signed with the Muskegon Lassies, she had to take time away from high school to attend spring training. Burkovich played three seasons in the AAGPBL, moving on to the Springfield Sallies and Chicago Colleens. For her final season in 1951, she played for the Rockford Peaches, made famous by the 1992 movie “A League of Their Own.” Burkovich earned the nickname “Hustle” as she played, filling in for many other positions including pitcher.
Later life
After retiring from baseball, Burkovich relocated to California, where she worked for Pacific Bell for 30 years. She made her acting debut with “A League of Their Own,” playing the older version of Peaches player Alice “Skeeter” Gaspers. Several former AAGPBL players appeared in the film, and Burkovich was one of only a few who had speaking roles. She was an active member of the AAGPBL Players Association, serving as its treasurer. Throughout her life, Burkovich advocated for women and girls in baseball.
Notable quote
“The gals in the league were all so supportive… We were a team.” —from a 2017 interview for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Tributes to Shirley Burkovich
Full obituary: MLB.com
