Lizzie Murphy

Murphy was born April 13, 1894, probably in Warren, Rhode Island, though some sources indicate that she was born in Canada. Her parents were Mary (née Garan) and John Murphy; By age 15, she was playing on the local men's business amateur league teams, such as the Warren Shoe Company. ==Career==

By the age of 17, Murphy was playing professionally and demanding to be paid when she played. She first signed with the Providence Independents and then Carr's was a barnstorming team which traveled throughout Canada and New England playing up to 100 games a year. but she was also known as a hitter. Her career average upon retirement was .300. ==Queen of Baseball==

Murphy was keen on self-promotion, selling photographs of herself between innings. She billed herself as the "Queen of Baseball" but was known as Spike Murphy. "Tyler Will Hurl Against Lizzie Murphys Tomorrow", and "'Spike' Murphy, Woman Baseball Wizard, Learned Game Throwing Stones---'Ty' and 'Babe' Better Beware if "Liz" Breaks Into Game". It was organized at Fenway Park to raise money for the family of Tommy McCarthy, who had recently died. McCarthy would later be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. She came into the game in the fourth inning and scored an out at first base from a throw by third baseman Hervey McClellan. Six years later, Murphy played in a National League All-Star game against the Boston Braves and she played in a Negro league game against one of the greatest pitchers in the Negro leagues, Satchel Paige. During the game, Murphy was able to get a base hit and after the game, Satchel was asked if he had pitched more gently because she was a lady. Josh Gibson the (catcher) refuted the claim, stating Page had treated her the same as any other player. In addition to playing against the Negro league, Murphy played for them. When the Cleveland Giants toured in Rhode Island, she played first base for them. ==Death==

Murphy retired in 1935, went back home to Warren, and then married Walter Larivee in 1937. When her husband died a few years later, Murphy went back to work in the woolen mills and worked on oyster boats. She died on July 27, 1964. Murphy was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame in 1994. ==See also==