Joanne Weaver

Joanne Weaver
(Joltin' Jo)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 142 lb.

• Born December 19, 1935 in Metropolis, IL USA
• Died March 19, 2000 in Metropolis, IL USA

Biographical Information

Joanne Weaver was one of the greatest hitters in the history of the AAGPBL. She made her debut in 1951 as the third basewoman for the Fort Wayne Daisies, the team that employed her older sisters. Jo hit .276 in 53 games. The next year Weaver was moved to the outfield where she won three straight batting titles, was named to three straight All-Star teams and led the Daisies to three straight first-place finishes. In '52, she batted .344 to beat sister Betty by 13 points; Betty had claimed the prior two batting championships. Joanne did not finish in the top 5 in any other stat.

In 1953 Weaver batted .346, besting teammate Delores Brumfield by 14 points. Weaver finished second to sister Betty in total bases (187), was third in RBI (76), runs (79) and steals (70) and second in hits (142, 2 behind her big sis). Her biggest year was yet to come - in '54 she hit .429 with 29 homers. She topped the next player by 52 points in batting average, was the only .400 hitter in league history, set an AAGPBL record with 29 homers and 254 total bases, was second with 87 RBI, 16 doubles and 4 triples and led in steals (79), runs (109) and hits (143). That season Eleanor Callow became the only other 20-20 player in league history. The impressive overall year won her Player of the Year honors, which Betty had won for the Weaver clan two years prior. Jo's .359 career average was best in AAGPBL history.

Weaver died at age 64 of Lou Gehrig's Disease. Her sister Betty Foss also died of ALS two years prior. Another older sister, Jean Weaver, player in the league as well.

Source: "The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Record Book" by W.C. Madden