Babe Didrikson Zaharias

Brief Facts:

Called Babe by childhood friends who thought she batted like Babe Ruth. Name changed from Didriksen after it was accidentally spelled Didrikson. Olympic Gold Medal 1932 in Los Angeles in the javelin and hurdles events, second in high jump. Played semiprofessional women's basketball. Later became a pro golfer, co-founder of the LPGA tour. Considered the greatest female athlete of the 20th century. United States Olympic Hall of Fame 1983. Honored on an 18 cent US postage stamp. National Women's Hall of Fame 1976. International Women's Sports Hall of Fame 1980. World Golf Hall of Fame 1951. National Track and Field Hall of Fame 1974. Colorado Women's Hall of Fame 2008. Florida Sports Hall of Fame 1964. Colorado Sports Hall of Fame 1974. Texas Track and Field Coaches Hall of Fame 2016. Texas Sports Hall of Fame.