If there was one thing that made Carolyn Hart more than just another player, it was her hustle. “I learned from coach Chuck McCord that if you didn’t hustle all the time, you would be just average,” said Hart. “ He was a great coach and I learned a great deal from him.” Hart was anything but average. Five times she earned ASA All-America honors: 1950, 1951, 1952, 1959 and 1955. She had a lifetime batting average of .301 after retiring in 1962 to devote more time to her family. She was born November 20, 1930 and passed away March 10, 1996 at age 65 after battling MS for more than 20 years. Known as Cotton Top or Cotton because of her striking blonde hair, Hart was the youngest player ever to play for the Caterpillar Dieselettes (1947-1955) at 16. After the Dieselettes folded, Hart joined the Pekin, IL Lettes and played until retiring. In 156 games, Hart batted 1,873 times, scored 460 runs (leading her team eight times), hit 171 doubles (leading the team five times), 31 triples, 68 homers (leading her team seven years) and stole 160 bases (leading her team six years).
