Baseball Wives Of Yesterday

Feb 14, 1956 — New York Giants star outfielder Willie Mays, 25, is shown with his bride of a few hours, Marguerite, (Wendelle), 27, at her home in Elmhurst, New York, after their wedding in Elkton, Maryland, early on February 14th. It is Willie’s first and her third marriage. En route to Elkton, Mays was arrested for driving 70 miles an hour on the New Jersey turnpike and paid a $15 fine. photo – Associated Press

Baseball players traditionally have never had any trouble attracting women, see Jim Bouton’s book Ball Four for more details on the subject.

Today, the public has an unquenchable and somewhat bizarre fascination for baseball stars and their private lives which extends to what their spouses look like. Just search “baseball wives” to get an idea.

There was a reality TV program in 2011 called Baseball Wives that aired eight episodes on VH1 before being canceled. Comprised mostly of ex-wives of ballplayers, the show apparently did not intrigue enough viewers even if the women were “hot”.

Generally the wives of baseball players keep a low profile with some exceptions like video star Tawny Kitean who was once arrested for spousal abuse of her then husband, pitcher Chuck Finley.

In the old days baseball wives pretty much wanted to stay out of the limelight and usually did.

With that said you may never have seen these old time baseball stars together with their wives. So we present a short gallery.

Bill Dickey and wife Violet Arnold
Yankee Catcher and Bride To Be
Bill Dickey, first string catcher on the world champion New York Yankees, and his bride-to-be, Violet Arnold of Jackson Heights, N.Y. They are shown as they attended the wedding of Sammy Byrd to Miss Rachel Smith of Birmingham, ALA., at St. Malachy’s Church, N.Y., October 4, when Dickey served as best man. They will be married in the next few days. – Associated Press Photo 10/4/32

Dizzy Dean and wife Patricia NashCardinals Invade Detroit
Jerome “Dizzy” Dean, the biggest half of baseball’s greatest brother team, and Mrs. Dean read telegrams wishing success, shortly after their arrival in Detroit, MI., Oct. 2nd, for the World Series with the Tigers. – Credit Line Acme 10/2/34

Eddie Mathews and wife Virjean Lauby

Great To Be Big Leaguer
Eddie Mathews slugging Milwaukee Braves third baseman who recently underwent a successful knee operation to remove two cysts relaxes at his Santa Barbara CA home with his wife Mary (sic) as the two watch television. He expects knee to be greatly improved for the 1955 campaign. AP Wirephoto 12/4/54

Grover Cleveland Alexander and wife Amy Marie ArrantsCamp Funiston, June 4, 1918 – Grover Cleveland Alexander’s wedding party. Left to right are Mrs. Otto Merz, wife of the Omaha pitcher, who accompanied Mrs. Alex to Camp Funiston, Alexander and Mrs. Alexander.

Life moves swiftly in the army. Four weeks ago Grover Cleveland Alexander changed his status from that of a big league pitcher to a raw rookie in Uncle Sam’s National Army. Ten days later he was an acting sergeant in the detention camp. A week later he was transferred and became a buck private in the artillery.

Now he’s a benedict.

When Miss Amy Arrants of Omaha arrived here accompanied by Mrs. Otto Merz who acted in the dual capacity of chaperone and bridesmaid, the ensuing ceremony in the office of the probate judge at Manhattan Kansas near here added her name to the roll of war brides which has increased the marriage license business of the country over four hundred per cent.

They are Hooverizing on honeymoons in the army these days, and Alexander’s lasted just 48 hours, the length of his furlough, when he had to rejoin his battery in the 342d. Field Artillery. Mrs. Alexander returned to Omaha.

The former Cub pitcher first met his wife in St. Paul, Neb., his home town. The quiet marriage here was decided on because of the possibility of early overseas service for the groom.  – Union Pacific RR Press Bureau

Pee Wee Reese and wife Dorothy WalterPee Wee and Secret Bride
Daytona Beach, Fla… Harold (Pee Wee) Reese and his bride, the former Dorothy Walter are shown as the posed at the Daytona Beach camp of the Brooklyn Dodgers yesterday after the pint size  shortstop of the Brooklyns revealed that they were married on Sunday, March 29, here. – International News Photos 4-2-42