One of only five catchers elected to the National Softball Hall of Fame, Marilyn Rau had an eye-opening two decade career before retiring after the 1986 season. Rau earned ASA All-America honors 11 times and was known for her clutch hitting as well as for her superb handling of pitchers. She got her start in competitive softball as an eighth-grader with the Dudettes, a farm team of the legendary Phoenix AZ Ramblers. When the Ramblers disbanded in 1966, Rau was among several players who formed the Sun City, AZ Saints. Rau started out at shortstop with the Saints and eventually moved to behind the plate where she would stay the remainder of her career.With Rau, the Saints participated in 19 ASA national championships, compiling a record of 59 wins and 26 losses for a winning percentage of .694. The Saints finished no lower than fourth place 11 times.The highlight of Rau’s career?“Without a doubt, it was winning the national championship in 1979,” said Rau, who has bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Arizona State University. Rau was named the MVP in the 1979 national as well as batting .500. Earlier that year, she helped the USA win the gold medal in the Pan American Games in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She capped the year by winning Arizona’s Athlete of the Year Award. In 1978, Rau helped the Raybestos Brakettes of Stratford, CT, representing the USA, win the ISF World Championship in El Salvador, batting .350.
