Jennie Finch Bio

Jennie Finch 

 

Perhaps the most famous softball player, Jennie Finch was an integral part of the United States softball team that took gold in 2004 at the Summer Olympics. In addition to her success as an athlete, Finch is also known for her various television appearances.

 

Jennie Finch, occasionally known as Jennie Daigle, was born September 3, 1980 in La Miranda, California. Always involved in sports, Finch began softball when she was just five years old. Three years later, she already determined that she wanted to be a pitcher.

 

She attended La Miranda High School, where she, unsurprisingly, lettered in softball all four years. Proving a varied athlete, she also participated in basketball and volleyball. Demonstrating an aptitude in all three, Finch captained all teams her senior year.

 

Finch received pitching training from her father, Doug Finch. Far from an average father doling out sports advice, Doug is actually the inventor of the “Finch Windmill,” which conditions pitcher’s arms. The device has sold steadily for over fifteen years.

 

Finch’s softball career continued into her college years at the University of Arizona, where she was an absolute standout. Not only was she named an All-American pitcher three of the four years, she also received the distinct honor of earning 109 wins over her college career. At the time, that was the twelfth best record in history.

 

Winning a spot on the Olympic team, Finch made the trip to Athens, Greece in 2004. Her outstanding pitching helped the United States team maintain their competitive advantage, and they ended up taking the gold medal.

 

After the win, Finch’s performance and marketable looks landed her on the talk show circuit. She appeared on Late Show with David Letterman, Last Call with Carson Daly, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and McEnroe with host John McEnroe and fellow guest stars Sean Astin and David Juskow.

 

Maintaining her persona in the public eye, she also appeared on The Tony Danza Show in 2005.

 

Continuing to increase her television visibility, Finch also appeared on a season of Pros vs. Joes with fellow athletes Bo Jackson, Bill Romanowki, Dan OBrien, and Muggsy Bogues.

 

Most recently, she signed on to the newest season of The Apprentice with Donald Trump. Other confirmed celebrities include Stephen Baldwin, Carol Alt, Vincent Pastore, Gene Simmons, and Tiffany Fallon.

 

Outside of athletics, Finch appeared in the swimsuit edition of Sports Illustrated in 2005 but turned down the opportunity to pose in Playboy, stating her desire to remain a positive role model to her young fans.

 

In her personal life, she married Casey Daigle of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2005. They are currently still together and have one son. Ace Shane Daigle was born May 4, 2006.

 

Currently, she works for ESPN and pitches for the Chicago Bandits, being named the National Pro Fastpitch’s Co-Pitcher of the Year with Lauren Bay in 2005.




     del.icio.us     Stumble It