Joe Sullivan

Who was Joe Sullivan?

Joe Sullivan, was a Major League pitcher who played five season in the Major Leagues with the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Boston Braves, and Pittsburgh Pirates. In five major league seasons, Sullivan had a record of 30–37 with a 4.01 ERA. A knuckleball specialist, once pitched 12 straight innings of scoreless relief.

Born in Mason City, Illinois, his family moved west, where Sullivan graduated from Sliverdale High School in 1928. Sullivan was a three-sport player at Silverdale High.

After high school, Sullivan played semi-pro ball for the Bremerton Cruisers of the Northwest League. In 1929, Sullivan played for New Westminster of the Vancouver City League. In 1930, Bloedel-Donovan Lumber Co. of Port Angeles took him to a 16-team state tournament where Sullivan signed with New York Yankees scout Bill Essick. That season, he played with Hollywood of the Pacific Coast League. After being released, Sullivan went to Tucson to play in the Arizona State League.

The Detroit Tigers bought his contract in 1932 and sent him to Beaumont of the Texas League. Returning to play for Hollywood in 1934, a 25–11 season earned him his first shot in the bigs the following year.