This article, “who is Carson Shaw,” contains spoilers regarding the Amazon original series A League of Their Own (2022) season 1.
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A League of Their Own is a sports comedy-drama series based on the Penny Marshall classic of the same name. That 1992 film went on to 132 million dollars at the box office, and in 2012, it was preserved in the United States National Film Registry. One of the principal characters in the main cast is Carson Shaw, played by Abbi Jacobsen. The talented voice actor and the creator/writer of Broad City will now do the same for this Prime Video remake with a deeper look at the women who inspired the original. Her character loves baseball and is married to a serviceman currently in the middle of the fray of World War 2.
So, that begs the question:
Who is Carson Shaw in A League of Their Own season 1?
Carson Shaw is a respected All-American Girl’s Professional Baseball League member. Carson is the Rockford Peaches’ catcher and finishes the season as the team’s manager.
What does Carson Shaw do?
Carson Shaw is a married woman from Idaho. Her husband, Charlie (played by Suits‘ Patrick J. Adams), is overseas. She buys a train ticket and heads to Chicago to try out for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Carson tags along with Greta (D’Arcy Carden) and Jo (Melanie Field), who are also trying out. All three make the GPBL and are playing on the Rockford Peaches. Carson plays catcher and starts a romance with Greta, who pursues her.
Before you ask why this is important, same-sex relationships were not decriminalized in the United States until Illinois did so in 1962. The series has Carson feeling the pull of society and her natural desires. Greta has Carson write her husband a letter, while he is at war, mind you, that she is unhappy in their marriage. (Yes, Greta is not the nicest person). Carson is mortified the next day when she is sober and regrets sending it. When Charlie calls her later, however, he denies receiving such a letter.
Carson becomes the starting catcher and, eventually, the manager when her manager quits. Carson and Greta’s relationship becomes closer as she continues to play and lead the team. They have intercourse and keep their sexual orientation a secret from the group. Eventually, she finds a couple of other team members who are also members of the LGBTQ+ community. They frequent an illegal establishment that is exclusive to same-sex dating and fraternization.
Carson leads her team to the GBPL championship, but they lose in five games to the Blue Sox. Greta asks Carson to go back with her to New York. She declines but thanks her for changing her life. She will not be going back to Idaho either. She kisses Greta goodbye. When her lover leaves, she turns around, and Charlie is standing there.
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