Jimmie Foxx

Jimmie Foxx was an American professional baseball first baseman and one of the most feared power hitters in the history of Major League Baseball. Known by the nickname "Double X" or "The Beast," he compiled a .325 batting average with 534 home runs and 1,922 runs batted in over a 20-year career primarily with the Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox. A three-time American League Most Valuable Player and two-time World Series champion, Foxx was renowned for his prodigious strength and was the second player, after Babe Ruth, to reach 500 career home runs.

Early life and career

Born in Sudlersville, Maryland, Foxx was a multi-sport star in high school, excelling in baseball, basketball, and track. His talent was discovered by Frank "Home Run" Baker, a former star for the Philadelphia Athletics, who signed the teenager to a contract with the Eastern Shore Baseball League. Foxx joined the Athletics organization in 1924, initially as a catcher and third baseman, and made his major league debut for manager Connie Mack on May 1, 1925, at the age of 17. He spent parts of his first few seasons developing his skills, including a stint with the Providence Grays of the International League.

Major League Baseball career

Foxx became a full-time starter for the Athletics in 1929, helping the team win the 1929 and 1930 World Series championships alongside stars like Al Simmons, Mickey Cochrane, and Lefty Grove. His peak offensive years came in the early 1930s; he won the Triple Crown in 1933 by leading the American League in batting average, home runs, and RBI. Foxx won the AL MVP Award in 1932 and 1933, and his 58 home runs in 1932 challenged Babe Ruth's single-season record. After the Athletics' dynasty was broken up, he was sold to the Boston Red Sox before the 1936 season, where he won a third MVP award in 1938 after driving in 175 runs. He later played for the Chicago Cubs and finished his career with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1945, also making a famous pitching appearance for the Cubs in 1945.

Post-playing career and later life

Following his retirement as a player, Foxx embarked on a varied post-baseball life that included managing in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, as depicted in the film *A League of Their Own*, and coaching for the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston University Terriers. He also worked as a radio broadcaster and attempted several business ventures. Foxx struggled with financial difficulties and alcoholism in his later years, working briefly as a greeter at a Florida hotel. He died in 1967 in Miami, Florida, after choking on a piece of meat, and was buried in Flagler Memorial Park in Miami.

Legacy and honors

Foxx was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1951, his sixth year of eligibility. His number 3 was retired by the Boston Red Sox, and he is a member of both the Philadelphia Athletics Hall of Fame and the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame. In 1999, he ranked 15th on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players and was a nominee for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. His 534 career home runs stood as the second-most in history for over a decade until surpassed by Willie Mays, and he remains one of only a few players to win the Triple Crown and multiple MVP awards.

Personal life

Foxx was married twice, first to Helen Foxx and later to Dorothy Foxx. He had several children, including a son, Jimmie Foxx Jr. Known for his humble, friendly demeanor off the field, Foxx was a sharp contrast to his ferocious "Beast" persona in the batter's box. His life and financial struggles after baseball were chronicled in various biographies and served as a cautionary tale for athletes of his era. Foxx maintained friendships with many contemporaries, including Ted Williams, who considered him one of the greatest right-handed hitters he ever saw.