Jimmie Lee Solomon | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1956-03-11)March 11, 1956 Thompsons, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | October 8, 2020(2020-10-08) (aged 64) Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Dartmouth College Harvard Law School |
| Occupations | 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 (March 11, 1956 – October 8, 2020) was an American lawyer andbaseball executive. He served as the executive vice president of baseball operations inMajor League Baseball (MLB) from 2005 to 2010, before going on to serve as the executive vice president for baseball development from 2010 to 2012.[1][2] He announced plans in September 2020 to head a subdivision of a private equity firm that would invest instart-up tech firms connected to sports, but died several weeks later.
Solomon was born and raised inThompsons, Texas, a smalltown located about 35 miles southwest ofHouston with a population of 246 people, according to the 2010 Census.[3] He was one of six children born to Jimmie Lee Solomon Sr., a farmer, and his wife Josephine, who worked atK-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.[citation needed]
Solomon was a graduate ofLamar Consolidated High School inRosenberg, Texas, held aJ.D.[4] degree fromHarvard Law School and earned a Bachelor of Arts atDartmouth College.[2] He played for the Dartmouth football team[5] and established the university's record for the sixty-meter dash.[6]
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,[7] and numerous special projects, including the launching of the MLB Youth Academy atCompton College, California.[5]
TheAll-Star Futures Game was conceived by Solomon. Looking for an event to showcase the minor leagues and round out theAll-Star week festivities, Solomon looked at theNational Basketball Association rookie game and theNational Football League's rookie flag football game and thought of the idea.[8] Since 1999, the Futures Game has become a big event for teams' player development departments, a coveted resume filler for players and programming forESPN2. Rosters for the Futures Game are selected byBaseball 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 inSports Illustrated's list of the101 Most Influential Minorities in Sports.[9]
Solomon was named executive vice president of Baseball Operations on June 1, 2005.CommissionerBud 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.[7] On August 7, 2007, Solomon was in attendance during the game in whichBarry Bonds broke the all-time home run record previously held byHank 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 andPuerto Rico run by MLB, minor league operations and theCivil Rights Game held annually.[11]
Solomon resigned from his role with Major League Baseball on June 12.[12] Former Yankees and Dodgers managerJoe Torre was appointed as his successor in the executive vice president of Baseball Operations position.[13]
Solomon announced that he would become president of Playrs, a branch of the private equity firm Turn2 Equity Partners, in late September 2020. The group included other MLB individuals such as managerDusty Baker, as well as general managersJim Duquette andBobby Evans.[14] However, he died several weeks later at his home in Houston, on October 8, 2020.[15] He was 64;[16][17] the cause of death is not known.[15]
| Preceded by | Major League Baseball Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations 2005–2010 | Succeeded by |