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Doris Sams Obituary
The Stevens Mortuary Chapel in Knoxville says Sams died Thursday and her funeral service was Sunday. According to The Knoxville News Sentinel, she had been battling Alzheimer's for three years.
Sams, also called Sammye, was a leading player in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. According to the league's website, she was a five-time all-star during her eight-year pro career. She played for the Muskegon Lassies, later the Kalamazoo Lassies.
Sams made the circuit's honor team in 1947 and from 1949 through 1952. She averaged more than .300 during each of her last four seasons.
One sportswriter called her "calm and cool at all times."
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
63 Entries
Nancy Harvey Hudson
April 10, 2018
Doris was a well known family member. My Mother was a Doyle, and they were all related to the Sams family. She was of the age group where most of the family has passed away.
David H Taylor
July 3, 2016
You were a hero to all in Kalamazoo (Lassies), MI in the 50's. RIP.
Harry Simpson
June 28, 2016
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us. Godspeed.
Scott Preston Hardy
June 28, 2014
Love to have a game of catch with this wonderful woman. Maybe someday.
How you can show support
Carol Owens
June 29, 2013
Most people who have learned about the league didn't know that each city where there was a team there was also a future league for upcoming players. I was 9 when I first walked toward a park, in a new neighborhood where I heard the crack of a bat and the smack of a baseball hitting the center of a baseball glove. From that day forward I was in love with the idea of being another Doris Sams. Many of my pals on the Future Daisies League in Fort Wayne, IN., thought I looked like Doris. When she played games in Fort Wayne, she was always friendly and a talented player. She was one of my many mentors. What a lucky girl I was to have been part of the league as a wanta-be player. It was not to be for me, but it was the most wonderful time of my life, now at 74. I know you, her family, miss her and so do all of us who ever met her express her talents. My thoughts are with you always.
Nicole Youngman ( Sams ) maiden
July 18, 2012
Just found out that Doris was my grandfathers cousin, I never got to know much of my grandfathers side since he passed pretty young. I was quite young but we have done some research and can't find much on the extended family, what an amazing woman! My children and my nieces are spectacular at baseball and softball maybe that's the side it comes from ! My father is curious to know doris parents name and extended family. My prayers go out to our extended family and send love and comfort your way . May god keep u and welcome Doris into heaven with his loving arms .
bob overeton
July 17, 2012
doris was a great friend of mine. i can agree with her dentist, she was a lot of fun. i miss her very much and will always remember her friendship.
bob overton
Raffy Aladro
July 9, 2012
Thanks for the memories.
Chris Sesta
July 7, 2012
I, too, say "thank you" Doris Sams, to you and all the other women who stood tall for women! There are many of us who sooo appreciate all the hard work that went into forming and playing on the first women's teams! Thank you.
Betty Francis
July 5, 2012
Sammye: A great teammate, fellow outfielder, roomate and friend. May you rest in peace. My condolences to your family, and to all who knew and loved you. God be with you in your sorrow....Betty Francis, Kalamazoo Lassies, 1950-1953.
Gail Koppelman
July 5, 2012
You will be missed by the Koppelman's
Angie Clause
July 4, 2012
Thank you Doris Sams, you and all the other women have paved a liberating path for the future of women. Again, Thank you.
Susan Meree
July 4, 2012
RIP Dear Lady....you can rest now. Your family must be so proud of you..I know I am and I am just a fan.
July 4, 2012
My condolences to the family. The God of comfort is a refuge and strength for us during our distresses-Psalm 46:1. Erma L. Davis, Park Forest, IL.
lisa jarrell
July 3, 2012
R.IP. DORIS SAMS.
Pamela Matteson
July 3, 2012
Doris, along with other team members, paved the way for women in sports. Rest in Peace.
David Taylor
July 3, 2012
Great player...great memories from Kalamazoo, MI Lassies at CAA Park!
Carolyn Cline-Paul
July 3, 2012
I sure will miss Sammye and her friendship. My aunt in Texas knew her in school. She said "everyone loved her". She had such a good spirit. Doris really made her mark in the sports world for young ladies. Hope she rests in peace.
July 3, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Thank you for inspiring young women in the love of baseball and softball. Sharon, Oceanside CA
Julia Woods
July 3, 2012
What an amazing honor it was to know her from the time I was born. Miss Doris was around my great grandmother's home and she is the women I used catch with. It is purely amazing to see all the lives she touched and it is incredibly humbling to think that I knew her. May she rest in peace.
July 3, 2012
Doris was a great player and strong competitor. She will be missed greatly by her former teammates.
Jeneane Lesko AAGPBL Player
beemer
July 3, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Thank you for leading the way for ladies who wanted to play ball.
Coach Leslie Eckler
July 3, 2012
Dear Doris,
Thank you and all the great ladies who broke barriers for other women in sports. You gals were a special and gifted breed of people.
Many will welcome you into heaven. Please say hello to my mentor, Dottie Wiltse Collins. You gals are playing in the big leagues again with the angels.
Peace to your family and mates.
Blessings,
Bonnie Coleman
July 3, 2012
"There's no crying in baseball."
Thank you for your gift, Ms. Sams!
Terri & Mike Patillo
July 3, 2012
May you rest in peace, dear Doris. You were a great Baseball Player!
Joan Applegate
July 3, 2012
RIP
Mike L
July 3, 2012
My three girls can play ball because you lead the way. Every girl in sport owes a debt to you and the woman you played with. Thank you!
Ann R
July 3, 2012
RIP Doris, and to all who loved her I wish you peace and comfort.
Thank you Doris for blazing a trail, you were an inspiration to all of us. Now you can play ball with the best!
Sharlene Dimak
July 3, 2012
Rest in Peace Ms. Doris Sams. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends.
Rosetta Noah
July 3, 2012
RIP, your gift still inspires all.
July 3, 2012
R.I.P.
Olga P.
July 3, 2012
My deep condolences. May you find comfort from God's word recorded at Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10 regarding the loss of your loved one.
Tami B
July 3, 2012
Thank you for being a pioneer and for sharing your stories. I was so sad to hear of her illness and now know she is free from that pain and loss. My condolences to her family and friends. We cannot forget those who came before us or we may not do justice to those who come after us.
Marilyn Adams-George
July 3, 2012
Thanks, Doris, for being a trailblazer and inspiring women everywhere to be what they can be. You had an interesting life and now rest.
July 3, 2012
What a wonderful time of life....I would guess that this is who inspired the character "Dottie Henson"....wish this league would have continued all over the country....RIP
Patti R
July 3, 2012
To Doris Sams family,
We lost a pioneer & a great lady.
my thoughts & prayers are with you all.
Patti
Bernice Lenahan
July 3, 2012
We can still enjoy her inner beauty. I routinely watch the movie just because it is just so heart warming; especially Doris' story.
Scott Chamberland
July 3, 2012
Rest in Peace
JOHNNYU HONEY
July 3, 2012
THANKS FOR YOUR GREAT SPIRIT IN THE GAME YOU WERE GREAT. MY DAD WAS GOING TO PLAY PRO BASEBALL AND GOT DRAFTED IN WW11 AND NEVER GOT TO PLAY BUT LOVED TO HEAR YOU PLAY ON THE RADIO
michelle plakas-kaiser
July 3, 2012
rip
July 3, 2012
A GREAT inspiration for all women! Stepping forward during a time women were told to step back. The "League" is getting its wings now. RIP!
ms
July 3, 2012
I'm so sorry for ur loss. May your loving memories of Doris bring you great comfort during this difficult time.
Romans 15:33
MADEROS
July 3, 2012
R.I.P.
July 3, 2012
you go girl!
maureen ballard
July 3, 2012
for someone I have never met, she inspired me & thousands of young ladies like her to play a sport that still goes strong!
A big fan
July 3, 2012
A "Legend", God Bless Doris Sams.
Janet willcutt
July 3, 2012
For love of the game,we thank you Doris.An inspiration to millions and unsung hero to Title IV.THANK YOU!
eve jay
July 3, 2012
Thank You, Doris Sams! Simply Inspiring! You see...she showed us that there never was anything bad in women playing a good ol' american game of ball!
eve jay
July 3, 2012
Thank You, Doris Sams! Simply Inspiring! You see...she showed us that there never was anything bad in women playing a good ol' american game of ball!
July 3, 2012
To the the family of Doris Sams - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that she will be missed by many.
S Brown
July 2, 2012
Thank you Doris....I am teaching my grandson about the women's baseball league and the impact you girls had on American history.
J C
July 2, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with the
family of Doris Sams. How very proud we
are of these women! Thank you for your
courage and inspiration.
a fan
July 2, 2012
Doris Sams inspired millions of girls to say "I can do this"-thanks Doris!!
July 2, 2012
a great woman and ball player, end of a differnt time
Harriet Crisp Jordan
July 1, 2012
It was an honor to have known Doris. She was a great friend to my family, and it was wonderful growing up across the street from her. She was a pioneer in women's baseball and never lost her enthusiasm for the game or for life. She will be missed.
Wally and Cathy Kee
July 1, 2012
We are honored to know Doris and enjoyed so much visiting with her. She was a wonderful lady, a superb athlete, and a great American who touched many lives. We appreciate her contibutions to her community and country. We will miss you Doris.
ede moody
July 1, 2012
On behalf of Doris' AAGPBL teammates and friends, we would like to extend our condolences to her family and friends. She was well respected by all the AAGPBL members. Sincerely Ede Moody
Becky Paul Ownby
July 1, 2012
I've had the pleasure of knowing Doris for many years. She and my Dad and his brothers were childhood playmates. I've always "known" about her and her ball playing abilities from the stories Dad told us kids. Then, as an adult, I had the pleasure of meeting her when I worked at the bank. And wherever I saw her.. we spoke for a minute or two.
She was an easy person to like and always asked how the family was doing. I loved to brag that I had a friend who was a "Hall of Fame" member! I told her I DID! haha She would smile SO big!!
You, Ms. Doris, did KNOXVILLE PROUD and were friends to many. It was easy to tell anyone where you lived. I simply said it was the neatest and prettiest yard on the street!!
Thank you for being who you were!! Dad and his brothers are already there and now... have fun and have a great game!! The "HEAVEN ALL STARS"!!
July 1, 2012
I have to say I love you Ms Doris I will miss you .I know your in a better place . Love , Renee an Ben Williams
The Staff of Stevens Mortuary
July 1, 2012
Offering our deepest condolences during this time.
Lorrie Wesolek
June 30, 2012
Billy, Danielle & I are proud to say we had the pleasure of meeting you Doris. May you rest in peace, you are now home with our great Lord. Rejoice with your family.
David Campbell
June 30, 2012
I have had the honor and pleasure to have been Doris' dentist for the past 25 years or so. It broke my heart to see her passing. We all loved her so much. Doris was always a joy to be around but mostly she just made life more fun and interesting. We will all miss her.
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