Charlton Jimerson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Charlton Jimerson |
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: September 22, 1979 San Leandro, California, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| September 14, 2005, for the Houston Astros | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| April 10, 2008, for the Seattle Mariners | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .444 | ||
| Home runs | 2 | ||
| Runs batted in | 2 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Charlton Maxwell Jimerson (born September 22, 1979) is an American former professional baseball player. He played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). Before playing professionally, he was a college baseball star at the University of Miami.
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Early Life and Challenges
Charlton Jimerson grew up in Hayward, California. His family faced many challenges during his childhood. His older sister, Lanette, worked multiple jobs to help support the family. She also helped Charlton and his brother Terrence when Charlton was 15 years old.
College Baseball Star
After finishing high school, Charlton was first picked by the Houston Astros in the 1997 baseball draft. However, he decided he wasn't ready for professional baseball yet. Instead, he chose to attend the University of Miami on an academic scholarship.
Even though he wasn't a top recruit, Jimerson earned a spot on the University of Miami's baseball team. He joined as a "walk-on," meaning he wasn't offered a scholarship for baseball at first. He worked hard to show his dedication to the coach. For his first three years, he was a bench player. But in his senior year, an injury to a teammate gave him a chance to start.
Jimerson made the most of this opportunity! He became the "Most Valuable Player" of the 2001 College World Series. His team, the Miami Hurricanes, won their second national title in three years. He even tied a College World Series record by stealing four bases in one game. His teammates gave him an award for being a "winner." Charlton graduated with a degree in computer science. The Houston Astros drafted him again in 2001, and this time, he decided to become a professional player.
Professional Baseball Career
Charlton Jimerson was known for being a great athlete. Scouts often praised his speed and strong arm. He was even called the "Best Athlete" and had the "Best Outfield Arm" in the Houston Astros' minor league system in 2005. He was very good at stealing bases, often stealing more than 25 in a season.
Houston Astros Debut
Jimerson made his first appearance in Major League Baseball on September 14, 2005. He played for the Houston Astros. He didn't get to bat in that game.
His first time at bat in the major leagues was on September 4, 2006. It was a memorable moment! He hit a home run while pinch-hitting for famous pitcher Roger Clemens. This is a rare and exciting way to start a big league career. He was later released by the Astros in March 2007.
Seattle Mariners and Beyond
The Seattle Mariners signed Jimerson in May 2007. He played for their minor league teams. He showed a lot of power, hitting 16 home runs in his first two months with one team. He later made the Mariners' opening day roster in 2008 as a backup outfielder. He was released by the Mariners in July 2008.
After his time in Major League Baseball, Jimerson continued to play professional baseball. He played for several teams in independent leagues. These are leagues not directly connected to MLB teams. He played for the Sioux City Explorers in 2008 and the Newark Bears in 2009. With the Newark Bears, he had a great season, hitting .335, with 21 home runs, and stealing 38 bases.
He also signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins in 2010. Later that year, he played for the Bridgeport Bluefish and was even an All-Star. His contract was then bought by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and he played for their minor league team, the Arkansas Travelers.
Life After Baseball
Charlton Jimerson lives in Missouri City, Texas, with his wife, Candace, and their four children: Carter, Tyson, Nicolas, and Caden. He stays involved in baseball by working with young players in the Houston area.
He also has a personal website where you can learn more about him: www.charltonjimerson.com.
His Book: Against All Odds: A Success Story
On March 14, 2015, Charlton Jimerson released his own book called Against All Odds: A Success Story. In the book, he shares his life story. He talks about how much he loved baseball and how both school and sports helped him succeed. He also writes about the important people and moments that led him to become a Major League Baseball player. He even shares details about hitting that famous home run in his very first at-bat!
See also
- Home run in first Major League at-bat
