Warren, RI Native Lizzie Murphy: The "Queen of Baseball"
Known as the “Queen of Baseball,” Lizzie Murphy of Warren, Rhode Island was the first woman to play the game professionally. Murphy grew up as an athlete and was proficient in running, swimming, and skating, in addition to baseball. At age 12, she quit school and went to work in
Known as the “Queen of Baseball,” Lizzie Murphy of Warren, Rhode Island was the first woman to play the game professionally. Murphy grew up as an athlete and was proficient in running, swimming, and skating, in addition to baseball. At age 12, she quit school and went to work in the local mills. By age 15 Murphy was playing for mill teams such as Warren Shoe Company and Warren Silk Hats. At 17, she became a professional player, competing with a semi-pro team based in Rhode Island. In the 1913 Warren, Rhode Island directory, 19-year old Lizzie Murphy’s occupation was listed simply as “ball player.”
In 1918, her baseball career advanced when she signed with a semi-pro team out of Boston called the Traveling All-Stars. The All-Stars competed throughout the United States and Canada, averaging about 100 games a year.
During an early career appearance with a local semi-pro team in Warren, Murphy became the first female holdout in baseball history. The team collected $85 in gate receipts that day —
it was standard practice to split that total among the players. However, Lizzie received no payment after the game. She continued to attend practices that week as if nothing had happened, never mentioning the “forgotten” payments. The owner advertised Murphy’s next appearance at an upcoming contest in Newport, RI, knowing that his female star would draw a large crowd. Murphy had a plan though and refused to board the bus before the Saturday contest unless the owner paid her $5 per game (over $100 by today’s standards), in addition to her share of the gate receipts. “No money, no Newport,” she’s famously quoted as saying. The manager was forced to oblige and pay Murphy her fair share.
Local newspapers reported glowingly about Lizzie’s baseball talents. “[She] fielded her position in perfect fashion, whose pegging to the bases was quick and accurate, a batter with a sure eye and plenty of muscle, and a base runner without peer, an excellent player,” the Providence Evening Bulletin wrote of her talents. Ed Carr, the owner of the Boston All-Stars team, said of Lizzie’s baseball ability: “she swells attendance, and she’s worth every cent I pay her. But most important, she produces the goods.”
The entrepreneurial Murphy entered the stands between innings and after games to sign autographs and sell postcards of herself. She donned a jersey with her own name on the front and back so fans could easily spot the star player they came to see.
Murphy was also cunning on the field. She was fluent in French and used this knowledge to help her team. At a game played in Quebec, the first base coach was unaware of Murphy’s knowledge of the language. She listened as the coach discussed the steal sign with his player. Not letting on that she had understood the discussion, Murphy called time and set up a signal with her catcher. Her team caught five runners stealing that day.
In 1922, Murphy played for the American League All-Stars in a charity exhibition game held at Fenway Park. The August 14, 1922 contest made her the first woman to compete against a Major League team. Murphy played two innings at first base in the 3-2 win over the Boston Red Sox.
In 1928, Murphy played for the National League All-Star team in a game against the Boston Braves, making her the first player, regardless of gender, to compete for All-Star teams from both the American and National leagues.
Murphy was also the first woman to play in the Negro Leagues. She played first base for the Cleveland Colored Giants during a game held at Rocky Point, Rhode Island. Murphy later told the secretary of the Rhode Island Amateur Baseball Association that she had singled off of the great Satchel Paige during a barnstorming game.
Lizzie Murphy retired from baseball when she was 41. She went back to work in the mills after her retirement from the game and also worked on oyster boats. Murphy was posthumously inducted to the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame in 1994.
“To my way of thinking baseball is the cleanest sport that we have and for women to enter into it is eminently fitting,” she told the Boston Post in 1920. Her trailblazing efforts paved the way for so many women to enter the game she loved to play.
Cubs' Rojas, Mets' Tong headline May's Minor League Players of the Month
Minor League Baseball announced the Player and Pitcher of the Month Award winners for May in Major League Baseball’s player development system.
Minor League Baseball, Joe Torre Safe At Home partnership enters ninth year
For the ninth year, Minor League Baseball and Joe Torre Safe At Home have teamed up to raise awareness about violence and abuse and to inspire fans of all ages to join them in SAH’s critical work. This year, 63 MiLB teams will participate in an in-ballpark initiative from May
MiLB podcast discusses Anthony, Caglianone at Triple-A
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
These are the greatest Minor League promos happening in June
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
New playoff format coming to 2025 Dominican Summer League
Minor League Baseball announced the 2025 Dominican Summer League (DSL) season will begin June 2 with Opening Day festivities taking place at the Boston Red Sox Academy in Guerra. The 2025 campaign will also see the introduction of the DSL Cup, a new playoff format that will see 16 DSL
Debating best Minor League home caps on podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
The Omaha Storm Chasers' 'Take Meow-t' cat night included a Litter Box Sundae
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Boston's Triple-A affiliate throws birthday bash for Roman Anthony
With all the hype that has surrounded Roman Anthony over the past two seasons, it’s easy to forget how young he really is. MLB's No. 1 prospect played 70 games at the highest level of the Minors before he could order a beer. But he can now. Roman Anthony turned
Friendly foes, 2024 first-rounders Moore and Caglianone trade first Triple-A homers
For years, Christian Moore and Jac Caglianone laced up their cleats against one another in the SEC. A rivalry that spanned Florida, Tennessee and other landmarks across the South moved to Salt Lake City this week as the Royals and Angels' top prospects got simultaneous Triple-A promotions. So it was
Phillies' Moore, Fausnaught join MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Red Sox prospect rips double THROUGH Fenway-esque scoreboard
Red Sox No. 4 prospect Franklin Arias, an infielder for High-A Greenville, REALLY didn’t want to let visiting Asheville score any runs in the top of the eighth inning on Friday night. With runners on first and second base in the bottom of the fourth, Arias showed he apparently held
April's hottest hitting prospects -- one for each organization
The Minor League season is a month old and several of the game's best hitting prospects are off to fast starts. Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is tearing up Triple-A (just like he did at the end of last year), Padres shortstop Leo De Vries is leading the High-A Midwest
Check out the best -- and wackiest -- Minor League promos happening in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Orioles' Honeycutt joins The Show Before the Show
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now