Ep 10. Baseball Stalker, Peggy Shippen

In season 6 episode 10 of Mysteries at the Museum, viewers are taken on a journey to uncover the strange and chilling story of the Baseball Stalker and Peggy Shippen. Host Don Wildman tells the captivating tale of how one obsessed man attempted to destroy the career and life of legendary baseball player Ty Cobb, and how Peggy Shippen played a key role in one of America's most notorious acts of treason.

The episode begins with the story of Ty Cobb, one of the greatest baseball players of all time. His batting average and career accomplishments are unparalleled, but his career was almost derailed by the actions of one man: Carl Mays. Mays was a pitcher for the New York Yankees in the 1920s, and was known for throwing pitches that were difficult to hit. In an effort to disrupt Cobb's career, Mays hit him with a pitch during a game in 1924, causing a minor injury that would ultimately heal.

But Mays didn't stop there. He began stalking Cobb both on and off the field, following him to hotels and even threatening his life. Cobb, increasingly paranoid about the threats against him, eventually reached out to government officials for help. It was discovered that Mays himself was a wanted criminal, and he was eventually arrested and sentenced to prison.

The episode then shifts to the story of Peggy Shippen, a woman who played a crucial role in America's most infamous act of treason: the betrayal of General George Washington during the American Revolution. Shippen was a member of high society in Philadelphia, and was married to a British officer named John André. André was tasked with gathering information about the American military and relaying it to British forces, and Shippen played an instrumental role in his mission. She facilitated secret meetings between André and other British loyalists, and even passed along information herself.

Eventually, André was captured and discovered to be a spy. Shippen was implicated in the treasonous act, but escaped prosecution due to her status and connections. However, her involvement in the betrayal would forever taint her reputation.

Throughout the episode, viewers are taken on a journey through history as Don Wildman explores the artifacts and locations that played key roles in the stories of the Baseball Stalker and Peggy Shippen. From a 1920s baseball uniform to a letter written by Shippen herself, each piece provides a tangible connection to the past and helps bring the stories to life.

Ultimately, the episode serves as a reminder that history is not just a collection of facts and dates, but a complex web of stories and individuals whose lives were intertwined. Mysteries at the Museum season 6 episode 10 invites viewers to take a closer look at two such stories and the artifacts that help us better understand them.