Things We Saw Today: ‘A League of Their Own’ Inspiration Maybelle Blair Comes Out at 95

Amazon’s A League of Their Own series, based on the beloved 1992 Penny Marshall film, follows the adventures of the Rockford Peaches, a fictionalized team in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, the professional women’s baseball league that was created in the 1940s during World War II. The series is co-written and co-executive produced by Broad City‘s Abbi Jacobson (who also stars) and Mozart in the Jungle‘s Will Graham. Jacobson promised a “contemporary spin” on the original film, which will see the Rockford Peaches through their inaugural season and explore the changing 1940s United States. While the series will have the “warmth, humor, and DNA” of the original film, it will also feature women of color and queer women, players who weren’t acknowledged in the original film.

And it seems that the series has inspired an original AAGPBL legend to come out. Maybelle Blair aka “All The Way Mae,” (like Madonna’s character in the original film) attended a screening of the new series at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival in New York. Blair, who pitched for the Peoria Redwings, told the audience “I think it’s a great opportunity for these young girl ball players to come to realize that they’re not alone, and you don’t have to hide … I hid for 75, 85 years and this is actually basically the first time I’ve ever come out.”

At 95 years old, Blair shows us that it’s never too late to come out and live your authentic life. What an inspiring woman.

A League of Their Own premieres on August 12 on Amazon Prime.

(featured image: Prime Video)

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• ‘For All Mankind’ creators discuss Season 3. (via Collider)
• Miles Teller wants audiences to see Chris Hemsworth beyond Thor. (via CBR.com)
• Happy 30th anniversary to A League of Their Own! (via THR)

Happy Saturday Mary Suevians! Don’t forget tomorrow is Father’s Day!

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Chelsea Steiner

Chelsea was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. An pop culture journalist since 2012, her work has appeared on Autostraddle, AfterEllen, and more. Her beats include queer popular culture, film, television, republican clownery, and the unwavering belief that 'The Long Kiss Goodnight' is the greatest movie ever made. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, with her husband, 2 sons, and one poorly behaved rescue dog. She is a former roller derby girl and a black belt in Judo, so she is not to be trifled with. She loves the word “Jewess” and wishes more people used it to describe her.

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