Thomas Brandon Sullivan (December 19, 1906 – August 16, 1944) was a professional baseball catcher. He played in one game for the 1925 Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB). Listed at 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m) and 190 pounds (86 kg), he batted and threw right-handed. Sullivan was the first person born in Alaska to play in MLB.[1][lower-alpha 1]
| Tom Sullivan | |
|---|---|
| Catcher | |
| Born: (1906-12-19)December 19, 1906 Nome, Alaska, US | |
| Died: August 16, 1944(1944-08-16) (aged 37) Seattle, Washington, US | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 14, 1925, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 14, 1925, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .000 (0-for-1) |
| Home runs | 0 |
| Runs batted in | 0 |
| Teams | |
| |
Baseball records list Sullivan's one game with the Cincinnati Reds in 1925, and 55 games with the minor league Seattle Indians of the Pacific Coast League in 1928.[2]
Sullivan's one major league appearance came on June 14, 1925, with the Reds hosting the Brooklyn Robins at Redland Field (later renamed Crosley Field).[3] Sullivan played defensively at catcher for the final three innings, allowing one passed ball from pitcher Neal Brady.[3] Sullivan had one plate appearance; facing Brooklyn's Dazzy Vance with one out in the ninth inning, he grounded out, shortstop to first.[3] The Cincinnati Enquirer noted that it was Sullivan's first professional game, referring to him as "the big college boy from Seattle".[4] He was released by the Reds on June 29.[5]
Sullivan attended the University of Washington prior to playing professional baseball.[6]