Mamie "Peanut" Johnson Field?

By Josh Land

Nationals

April 04, 2010, 7:21pm

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Last week, DC Council Member Tommy Wells introduced the "Mamie 'Peanut' Johnson Field Designation Act of 2010" which will name the multipurpose field at the Rosedale Recreation Center after Mamie "Peanut" Johnson. The field is located just a few blocks from RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. Johnson's big break came while practicing at Rosedale Recreation Center in 1953 when former player Bish Tyson observed her skills. After one tryout with Bunny Downs, Johnson joined the Indianapolis Clowns. In 2008, Johnson was drafted by the Washington Nationals in a special Negro Leagues Player Draft by Major League Baseball. At the time, former general manager Jim Bowden described Johnson as "an exceptional person, who had an extraordinary ability and talent." "Mamie competed with some of the best ballplayers of her era, and she did so with success and determination...Any organization would take a person and pitcher of her caliber any day of the week," he continued. Johnson compiled a 38-6 lifetime record in three seasons as one of only three women to play in the Negro Leagues.