Mexican American Baseball Trailblazer Who Shattered Records
In the golden era of women’s professional baseball, few names shine as brightly as Margaret “Marge” Villa-Cryan. A pioneering Mexican American athlete, she proved that talent, grit, and determination could break barriers on the diamond, and in history books. As we celebrate trailblazers during Women’s History Month, Rosemont College pays tribute to this remarkable player who suited up for the Kenosha Comets from 1946 to 1950 and left an indelible mark on the sport.
The Woman
Born on December 21, 1924, in Montebello, California, Marge (also known affectionately as “Poncho“) grew up loving baseball at a time when girls were often steered away from the game. She began playing competitively as a teenager and quickly caught the attention of scouts for the All American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), the league famously depicted in the movie A League of Their Own. At just 5′ 2″ and 115 pounds, the versatile utility player debuted with the Kenosha Comets in 1946, handling catcher, third base, shortstop, second base, and outfield positions with ease.
The Legend
What truly sets Marge Villa-Cryan apart are her record shattering performances. On June 9, 1946, in just her rookie season, she delivered one of the most dominant games in league history—driving in nine runs and collecting 11 total bases. These remain all time single game records for RBIs and total bases in the AAGPBL, a testament to her power at the plate and clutch hitting under pressure. Over her five seasons with the Comets, she batted .256 in her final year, racked up hundreds of hits, and earned a reputation as a team captain and mentor to her teammates.
Knocking It Out of the Park
Marge’s legacy extends far beyond the scoreboard. As one of only a handful of Mexican American women in the AAGPBL, she paved the way for future generations of Latina athletes while challenging stereotypes in a post World War II America. Her story is preserved for eternity at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, where she is featured in the permanent Women in Baseball display—especially highlighted during Women’s History Month celebrations.
Her impact continues to inspire long after her passing on December 14, 2023, just one week shy of her 99th birthday. From coaching youth teams and playing golf well into her 90s to receiving fan mail and sharing stories of life on the road with the Comets, Marge Villa-Cryan embodied resilience and joy in the game she loved.
March: Women's History Month
March is Women's History Month. It began locally in Santa Rosa, California as Women's History Week in 1978, and in 1987, Congress passed a law to recognize it Women's History Month law. Learn more in the Cultural Heritage Gallery.
Each week Campus Ministry features a different woman who has impacted history. Click to lean more about each weekly honoree including Margaret "Marge" "Pancho" Villa-Cryan and Suzan Shown Harjo.
Women's Baseball History in the Making at Rosemont
Rosemont is helping to write a new chapter for women in baseball thanks to freshman Gisella "Gigi" Schiano who is the first woman ever to play on the Men's Baseball team at Rosemont (the team just secured the first win of their final NCAA III season yesterday, March 1, 2026), and who has already been drafted into the Women's Pro Baseball League -- the first professional women's baseball league to exist in 70 years!
