Senaida Wirth

Senaida Wirth [Shu-Shu] (October 4, 1926 – May 20, 1967) was a shortstop who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5 ft 0 in (1.52 m), 114 lb., Wirth batted and threw right-handed. She was born in Tampa, Florida.Senaida Wirth was a fine defensive shortstop with good range on the field and a strong throwing arm. Basically a line drive hitter, Wirth did not have any real power, but she was an accomplished bunter that put the ball in play and was extremely hard to strike out, averaging one strikeout per every 7.55 at bats (160-for-2120) while collecting a solid 1.96 walk-to-strikeout ratio (313-to-160). She also was respected for her swiftness in stealing bases, because once she reached base she was almost unstoppable, collecting 352 stolen bases in her seven-year career. A member of a champion team, she earned one spot in the 1946 All-Star Team.Wirth entered the AAGPBL in 1945 with the South Bend Blue Sox, playing for them through the 1951 season as a replacement for departed shortstop Dottie Schroeder. She joined a talented team, managed by Marty McManus, that included players as pitching star Jean Faut, one of the most dominant hurlers of the league, as well as Bonnie Baker, Betsy Jochum, Phyllis Koehn, Elizabeth Mahon and Inez Voyce, whom could be counted on for their bats and solid defense. Wirth had a promising debut, leading the league hitters with a .386 average at a point of the season. She faded after that, ending with a .249 mark. The Blue Sox finished fifth of six teams with a 49–60 record.In her sophomore season, Wirth was selected by the AAGPBL managers for the 1946 All-Star Team as a rookie. She hit a .245 average in 107 games, including 65 runs with 91 hits and 22 RBI, while stealing 89 bases. The Blue Sox improved to 70–42 and advanced to the playoffs, but were defeated by the Racine Belles in the first round.Wirth saw limited action in 1947. Though she lost more than 30 games due to an injury, she was able to hit .22