Pic of "deranged girl" that shot "The Natural"

[Jerry G]

Most Net54 folks know that the book and movie The Natural was inspired by the real life tragedy of Phillies first baseman Eddie Waitkus. Waitkus' 1955 Bowman briefly tells the story in the first person. Perhaps the Bowman writers could have come up with a more approproate title for the bio than, My Biggest Thrill in Baseball. The "deranged girl" that he speaks of is Ruth Steinhagen. I had never seen a picture of Miss Steinhagen until I recently ran across the photo below in the October 1957 Police Gazette.

The picture shows a court room setting with standing room only. SRO! Look at all those dang people! Waitkus is seated, apparently still recovering. Miss Steinhagen, later to be played in the movie by Barbara Hersey, stands by demurely as the prosecutor(?) fires a finger gun at her.

Now that we have her picture wouldn't she be a great fantasy card project for one of our creative members?

Tim Pulcifer has an interesting group of web pages that include a very cool tribute to Eddie Waitkus. http://nowbatting19.com/WAITKUSpage.html

[Leon]

I moved this thread to the front page even though it's a '50s card as I thought it was interesting and made a managerial decision. Great story, neat card and thanks for sharing.

[Chris D.]

I never knew that! Interesting and thanks for posting that.

[Bicem]

very cool.

[frankbmd]

.........a crazed girl. Place your bets.

[barrysloate]

There's something very disturbing about that photo. Considering Steinhagen shot Waitkus, why is she standing so close to him in the courthouse? Shouldn't there be a little more of a buffer zone between them?

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by Jerry G

Now that we have her picture wouldn't she be a great fantasy card project for one of our creative members?

I took up the challenge, but used a different photo.

[tbob]

I think it scared more than players, much like the recent movie "Fatal Attraction" scared the bejeezus out of a lot of men who watched it.

[bbcard1]

Originally Posted by tbob

I think it scared more than players, much like the recent movie "Fatal Attraction" scared the bejeezus out of a lot of men who watched it.

My wife used to sit down with me and watch it everytime before I left on a business trip. Then one day she realized I'm really not very attractive or interesting.

That was an interesting piece. Good call Leon. I would not have seen it on the other forum and enjoyed it immensely.

[mybuddyinc]

The note she left for Waitkus, just shows how seemingly sane an insane person can be:

"It is extremely important that I see you as soon as possible. We are not acquainted, but I have something of importance to speak to you about. I think it would be to your advantage to let me explain this to you as I am leaving the hotel the day after tomorrow. I realize this is out of the ordinary, but as I say, it is extremely important.”


Interesting, but mainly forgotten part of baseball history.

[Jerry G]

Originally Posted by bn2cardz

I took up the challenge, but used a different photo.

Very cool card, Andy! Thanks.

This link gives a very good overview of the story as well as othe pictures.
http://darkdeeds.susanfleet.com/blog...ann+steinhagen

[Howe’s Hunter]

In an attempt to avoid work this afternoon, I've spent a little time online trying to find out more. His life ended at a young age, what happened to her? I can't seem to find anything out after her release three years later, apparently being declared sane.

Originally Posted by StuckInOmaha

In an attempt to avoid work this afternoon, I've spent a little time online trying to find out more. His life ended at a young age, what happened to her? I can't seem to find anything out after her release three years later, apparently being declared sane.

According to Jean Hastings Ardells' book "Breaking into Baseball: Women and the National Pastime" she spent thirty three months in a psych ward before her release. She moved to a home on the Northwest Side of Chicago with her sister, Rita. She avoids reporters and refuses to speak publicly about the incident. She has never married. This book was published in 2005

I can not find an obituary for Ruth Ann Steinhagen the past eight years which makes me believe she is still alive.

[packs]

Would be a pretty interesting ball if you had both on it.