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Getty Scheana Shay.
Scheana Shay shared sad news with fans. The “Vanderpump Rules” star revealed that her famous great-aunt Shirley Burkovich has died.
Burkovich was a player in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) from 1949 to 1951, and an original member of the Rockford Peaches. Her team’s story inspired the 1992 Penny Marshall film “A League of Their Own,” in which she had a cameo appearance.
The legendary athlete, who played every position except catcher during his baseball career, passed away on March 31, 2022 at age 89, according to MLB.com.
Burkovich was a lifelong advocate for women’s sports. After her death, a tweet from the International Center for Women’s Baseball read: “We are heartbroken to share the sad news that our friend, Shirley Burkovich, passed away today. Shirley was a founding director of the IWBC, [a] fierce advocate for girls in sports and one of the most charming people to call your friend. We love you, Shirley, now and forever.”
The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League also posted a tribute to Burkovich.
Scheana shared photos of her aunt Shirley on Instagram
In a post on her Instagram story, Scheana shared the news that her famous aunt has passed away. She captioned a photo of her aunt with: “Today the sky won the legend of an angel. Aunt Shirley, I will miss you so much.”
The “Vanderpump Rules” star also shared recent photos of Burkovich holding her young daughter, Summer Moon, who was born in April 2012. “Grateful for these memories with @summermoon,” Scheana wrote.
A video clip showed Burkovich throwing a ball to baby Summer in a ball pit. “I’m so thankful that Summer was able to play ball with you!” Scheana wrote about the women’s professional baseball legend. “Palm Springs won’t be the same without you.”
She captioned another photo of Summer in a baseball-themed t-shirt Aunt Shirley had given her. “I’m so happy you got to see Summer in her Aunt Shirley’s t-shirt!” Scheana wrote, adding, “For those who don’t know, she was at Rockford Peaches and was in the movie ‘A League of Their Own!”
Scheana also shared a link to her late aunt’s guest spot on her “Scheananigans with Scheana Shay” podcast, during which she discussed her groundbreaking baseball career.
Scheana opened up about her Aunt Shirley on a 2020 episode of Vanderpump Rules
In a 2020 episode of “Vanderpump Rules,” Scheana opened up about her Aunt Shirley during a softball game between Tom Tom and SUR employees. In the episode, Scheana revealed that she had experience with baseball thanks to her famous aunt. Scheana also revealed that she played baseball and softball herself, from when she was a child and continued through high school, and that her long fingernails were no problem for her when she hit the pitcher’s mound.
Scheana also revealed her aunt’s influence in a “25 Things You Don’t Know About Me” article for Us Weekly.
“My great-aunt Shirley was a member of the All-American Women’s Professional Baseball League, Rockford Peaches,” she wrote, adding, “I was the only girl on the men’s baseball team for four years.”
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