Jimmie Lee Solomon

Jimmie Lee Solomon
Born (1956-03-11) March 11, 1956
Thompson, Texas
Nationality American
Alma mater Dartmouth College
Harvard Law School
Occupation Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations (2005–2010)
Executive Vice President for Baseball Development (2010–2012)
Organization Major League Baseball
Website Jimmie Lee Solomon

Jimmie Lee Solomon (born March 11, 1956) is a former Major League Baseball executive who served as the Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations in from 2005 to 2010 and Executive Vice President for Baseball Development from 2010 to 2012.[1][2][3]

Early life and education

Solomon was born and raised in Thompson, Texas, a tiny town located about 35 miles southwest of Houston with a population of 246 people, according to the 2010 Census.[4] He is one of six siblings born to Jimmie Lee Solomon Sr., a farmer, and his wife Josephine, who worked at K-Mart in Houston. His grandfather, Jeremiah, was his earliest and most influential role model, as he was college educated and continually encouraged the young Jimmie Lee to excel academically.[1]

Solomon is a graduate of Lamar Consolidated High School in Rosenberg, Texas, holds a Harvard law degree and earned a Bachelor of Arts at Dartmouth College.[3] He played for the Dartmouth football team[5] and was also an All-Ivy League sprinter.

Career

Solomon became MLB's Director of Minor League Operations in 1991. He subsequently was promoted to Executive Director of Minor League Operations and then to Senior VP of Baseball Operations. He oversaw major, minor and international baseball operations; the MLB scouting bureau, the Arizona Fall League,[6] and numerous special projects, including the launching of the MLB Youth Academy at Compton College, California.[5]

The All-Star Futures Game was conceived by Solomon. Looking for an event to showcase the minor leagues and round out the All-Star week festivities, Solomon looked at the National Basketball Association rookie game and the National Football League's rookie flag football game and thought of the idea.[7] Since 1999, the Futures Game has become a big event for teams' player development departments, a coveted resume filler for players and programming for ESPN2. Rosters for the Futures Game are selected by Baseball America magazine, in conjunction with MLB and the 30 clubs. Every organization is represented, with no more than two players from any organization. In 2003, Solomon was included in Sports Illustrated's list of the 101 Most Influential Minorities in Sports.[8]

Solomon was named Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations on June 1, 2005. Commissioner Bud Selig made the announcement in a press release. As executive VP, Solomon was responsible for such additional areas as on-field discipline, security, and management of facilities.[6]

Solomon's biggest project is the construction of baseball academies in urban areas.[9] Currently there are academies in Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and throughout Latin America. This is where young Latino prospects are discovered and trained. Seeing the level of success that Latinos are experiencing in baseball, Solomon decided to bring the academies to United States and he is currently working with major league teams, encouraging them to build academies in large American cities to reintroduce baseball to urban children. On August 7, 2007, Solomon was in attendance during the game which Barry Bonds broke the all-time home run record previously held by Hank Aaron in place of Selig.[10]

In June 2010, Solomon became MLB's executive vice president for baseball development, putting him in control of academies in the United States and Puerto Rico run by MLB, minor league operations and the Civil Rights Game held annually.[11]

Solomon resigned from his role with Major League Baseball in June 12.[12] Former Yankees and Dodgers manager Joe Torre was appointed as his successor in the Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations position.[13]

References

  1. 1 2 "Jimmie Lee Solomon (1947–)". Online Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2015-01-01.
  2. ↑ "Solomon, Jimmie Lee". Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2015-01-01.
  3. 1 2 "MLB Executives: Jimmie Lee Solomon". Major League Baseball. Retrieved 2011-04-24.
  4. ↑ "United States Census Bureau : Thompson town, Texas". American FactFinder. Retrieved 2015-01-01.
  5. 1 2 Tanber, George J. (2008-02-27). "Solomon strives to improve African-American connection with MLB". ESPN. Retrieved 2011-04-24.
  6. 1 2 "Key post fille: Solomon named executive VP of baseball operations". CNN Sports Illustrated. 2005-06-02. Retrieved 2011-04-24.
  7. ↑ "Solomon has many irons in the fire". Baseball Weekly. 2001-05-08. Retrieved 2011-04-24.
  8. ↑ "Tiger Woods". Sports Illustrated. 2003-05-05. Retrieved 2011-04-24.
  9. ↑ Gonzalez, Alden (2010-12-06). "UYA helps Solomon offer what he never had". Major League Baseball. Retrieved 2011-04-24.
  10. ↑ Curry, Jack (2007-08-08). "Bonds Hits No. 756 to Break Aaron's Record". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-04-24.
  11. ↑ Schmidt, Michael S. (2010-06-11). "Selig Reassigns Umpiring Executive Solomon". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-04-24.
  12. ↑ Fordin, Spencer (June 7, 2012). "MLB Executive Solomon Resigns". MLB News. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  13. ↑ Bloom, Barry M. (2011-02-26). "Selig names Torre executive VP of operations". Major League Baseball. Retrieved 2011-04-24.

Sources

Preceded by
Sandy Alderson		 Major League Baseball Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations
2005–2010 		Succeeded by
Joe Torre


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