Michaela Conlon

Live a little

[Jon Finkel📚💪 @Jon_Finkel]

Imagine if prior to dominating golf, Tiger Woods was a high school hoops champion, won 3 Olympic track medals and was a legendary baseball player as a kid...

That's Babe Zaharias, who 98% of modern sports fans have never heard of.

So let me tell you about one of the most accomplished, prolific, remarkable athletes ever.

And just so you know up top, we're dealing with an athlete who:

• won an AAU hoops title
• won 3 Olympic track medals
• pitched against Major Leaguers
• won 10 LPGA majors & 82 tournaments

Let's start:

Babe Didrikson. Born 1911. Instant athlete.

As a kid, prefers to play against boys because they're stronger & faster.

Earns the nickname "Babe" after hitting 5 homers in a baseball game.

“I don’t see any point in playing...if you don’t win,” she says.

And she wins...

She dominates softball, but loves basketball.

In high school she becomes a 2x All-American in Texas.

Leads her team to 3 undefeated seasons.

Scores 76 points in a game once.

1931. The Babe wins an AAU hoops title...

While she's good at hoops, she's otherworldly at track & field...

July 16, 1932: her masterpiece.

She competes as a team of one in the amateur championships: Wins 5 of 8 events. In 3 hours.

Won the team event herself and is Olympic bound...

1932 Olympics - Los Angeles

Babe becomes the only track & field athlete (men or women) to win a medal running, throwing & jumping.

Gold - 80m hurdles
Gold - javelin throw
Silver - high jump

She sets 4 world records & becomes an international superstar...

Babe is 22 years old. Famous. Loves challenges...

Already has the record for longest baseball throw by a woman (to this day).

She pitches in exhibition games against MLB players:

In one inning she gives up a walk and no hits to the Dodgers.

Now onto her best sport...

1935. Babe begins to play golf.

She's good... but wants to be great.

Practices 10 hours a day until her hands were bloodied according to the NY Times.

She wins amateur tournaments.

She turns pro. She wins pro tournaments. She helps found the LPGA tour...

The Babe has swagger. She enters locker rooms shouting:

“The Babe’s here! Who is going to finish second?”

Between 1947-48, she wins 14 tournaments in a row.

She wins 10 LPGA Majors in 15 years.

Becomes a HOFer & the perhaps the greatest female athlete ever...

If you're impressed, and you should be, share this post...

And if you enjoy reading about fascinating people follow me @Jon_Finkel for more.

[Keirstin Roose @KeirstinRoose]

Not gonna lie, I think softball players have the greatest sense of humor compared to any other sport… tell me I’m wrong

[Michaela Conlon @michaelabconlon]

New week, same goals. 🎯

[Michaela Conlon @michaelabconlon]

getting stronger everyday @ValkyriesSB @CoachJackieHuff

[Michaela Conlon @michaelabconlon]

Great day on the dirt for an even greater cause. I participate in the Jeff Rabun Memorial tournament every year and this one was so bittersweet knowing it will be my last. With that being said, senior season starts today 😈😈 @CoachJackieHuff @ValkyriesSB

[Michaela Conlon @michaelabconlon]

go little rockstar 🥳🥳

[Paisley Rigsbee @PaisleyRigsbee]

A huge thank you to USC Softball @GamecockSoftbll and Coach Bev Smith @scsbcoach_bev for a great day at camp yesterday. I’m excited to use those new pitching drills. Can’t wait to be back when it’s warmer. #LLGKirkland #getstruck⚡️

[Michaela Conlon @michaelabconlon]

loved loved loved getting to work with one of my old teammates 🤍

[Madison Curtis @madisonhcurtis]

Another night in the bullpen, rise ball is coming along. Thank you ⁦@michaelabconlon⁩ for catching me. ⁦@CoachSBagwell⁩ ⁦@coach_vallee⁩ ⁦@fmu_softball⁩ ⁦@CarolinaEliteS1⁩

[Michaela Conlon @michaelabconlon]

Had such a blast spending the day with @SalkSoftball. So extremely thankful for @SiaraShelton showing me around. PS.. all the 4 legged friends joining us were a very nice touch 🥰

[Michaela Conlon @michaelabconlon]

@katephilbeck1 @ValkyriesSB Same to you and congrats on your commitment!! Good luck this weekend! 🤍

[Michaela Conlon @michaelabconlon]

Had an amazing visit yesterday at Converse University! A huge thank you to Coach Huff and Coach Bo for showing me around the beautiful campus. @ValkyriesSB
#getstruck⚡️

[Michaela Conlon @michaelabconlon]

Volume up👂🏽So beyond thankful for how uplifting my teammates are! Communication on the field was insane last weekend. This fall has been so full of growth for us as a whole and I can’t wait to see what opportunities the future brings us.
Clip of me on short⚡️👇🏽
@LLGKirkland18u

[LLG Kirkland 18u @LLGKirkland18u]

It might have only been 46 degrees in the mornings this weekend, but these girls kept the bats HOT!! Strong pitching, speed on the bases, great defense, and catchers who won’t let anyone steal on them! #getstruck ⚡️⚡️

[LLG Kirkland 18u @LLGKirkland18u]

Check out our updated schedule for the weekend!!! #getstruck ⚡️⚡️⚡️

[Michaela Conlon @michaelabconlon]

@TechSoftball @USCBSoftball @CoachpooleU @uscaikensb @cokersball @LimestoneSball @ErskineSoftball @fmu_softball @NGUsoftball @ValkyriesSB @CofCSoftball @UpstateSoftball @Winthropsoftbal @LanderSoftball

[Michaela Conlon @michaelabconlon]

‼️Uncommitted ‘22‼️ Just a small portion of my updated skills video because it is too long to post on here. I am pasting the link down below. Huge thank you to my teammates for helping out and an even bigger thanks to Coach Alissa for filming and editing! @LLGKirkland18u

[Michaela Conlon @michaelabconlon]

‼️Skills Video Link‼️
https://t.co/jsxdDBGmNx

[Michaela Conlon @michaelabconlon]

Had a great time at the @USCBSoftball camp yesterday! Big thanks to @CodeeYeske @a_owen4 @cora_zackrison and all the players for the instruction.

[Michaela Conlon @michaelabconlon]

Some swings from this weekend. ⚡️ #getstruck @USCBSoftball @CofCSoftball @TechSoftball @NGUsoftball @LLGKirkland18u

[LLG Kirkland 18u @LLGKirkland18u]

These girls had a great time playing in Rock Hill SC at the Cardinals Clash this weekend! They faced some tough competition and rose to the challenge!! It’s so good seeing how hard these girls work! #getstruck ⚡️⚡️⚡️

[LLG Kirkland 18u @LLGKirkland18u]

Check us out this weekend up in Rock Hill SC!!! #GETSTRUCK ⚡️⚡️⚡️