Jennie Finch is a retired American softball player who is considered one of the greatest pitchers in the sport’s history. She was born on September 3, 1980, in La Mirada, California, and grew up playing softball from a young age. Finch played college softball at the University of Arizona, where she was a two-time national champion and a three-time All-American. She helped lead the Wildcats to a perfect 60-0 record in 2001, setting the NCAA record for most wins in a season.
After college, Finch joined the United States national softball team and helped lead the team to gold medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She retired from international competition in 2010 with a career record of 32-4 and a 0.60 earned run average.
In addition to her success on the field, Finch has also been an advocate for youth sports and women’s sports. She has served as a spokesperson for several organizations, including the Women’s Sports Foundation and the Little League Softball program. Finch is also a motivational speaker and has written several books on sports and leadership.
Jennie Finch interviewed by Gary Leland
What about Jennie Finch interesting facts? Here are 21 interesting facts about Jennie Finch.
- Jennie Finch was named USA Softball Female Athlete of the Year three times (2004, 2005, and 2006).
- She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in softball, winning in Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008.
- Finch was the starting pitcher for Team USA in the gold medal game in both the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
- She was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2001 Women’s College World Series after leading the University of Arizona to the championship.
- Finch was the first female athlete to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated since Mary Decker in 1983.
- She is 6 feet tall, which gave her a unique advantage as a softball pitcher.
- Finch threw a perfect game in the 2004 Olympics, striking out all 21 batters she faced.
- She retired from softball in 2010 with a career ERA of 1.24 and 2,156 strikeouts in 1,311 innings pitched.
- Finch married former MLB pitcher Casey Daigle in 2005 and the couple has three children together.
- She has appeared as a guest analyst on ESPN’s coverage of softball games.
- Finch was a contestant on the reality TV show “Dancing with the Stars” in 2008, finishing in third place.
- She is an ambassador for the Women’s Sports Foundation and the National Softball Association.
- Finch has also worked as a commentator for ESPN’s coverage of the Women’s College World Series.
- She was inducted into the National Softball Hall of Fame in 2019.
- Finch has authored several books, including a memoir titled “Throw Like a Girl: How to Dream Big and Believe in Yourself.”
- She was a member of the inaugural class of inductees into the University of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.
- Finch has been a spokesperson for several brands, including Mizuno, Aflac, and Under Armour.
- She is a devout Christian and has spoken publicly about the role of faith in her life and career.
- Finch is also an advocate for breast cancer awareness and has participated in several charity events to support research and treatment.
- She is a frequent speaker at youth sports events, emphasizing the importance of hard work, dedication, and perseverance.
- Finch has said that her greatest accomplishments are not her medals or records, but the positive impact she has had on young athletes and the inspiration she has provided to girls and women around the world.
Jennie Finch is a true legend of the sport of softball and an inspiration to athletes everywhere. Her dominance on the field, combined with her dedication to promoting youth sports and women’s sports, has made her a beloved figure in the sports world. With her towering height, fierce competitiveness, and unwavering faith, Finch has left an indelible mark on softball and on the lives of those she has touched. She has shown that with hard work, determination, and a positive attitude, anything is possible. Finch’s legacy will continue to inspire generations of young athletes to follow their dreams and make their mark on the world.
