Called "the athlete phenomenon of our time, man or woman," Mildred "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias (1913-1956) participated in almost every sport. She excelled as an Olympic athlete and as a golfer.

Mildred Didrikson, known throughout her life as Babe, was born June 26, 1914, at Port Authur, Texas. She always credited her father for her interest in sports. Babe first came to national attention when the Dallas-based basketball team for which she played forward won the national AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) championship. Her outstanding play earned her an All-American award in 1929. In 1932 she entered the tryouts for the Olympic games at the national AAU's women's track and field championship. Of the eight events that she entered, she won five--shot put, baseball throw, long jump, javelin, and 80-meter hurdles. In a single afternoon she set four world records, scoring an incredible 30 points. The second place finisher, with only 22 points, was an entire...