Ulysses Hollimon facts for kids

Ulysses 'Slim' Hollimon was born on June 23, 1931. He was a professional pitcher in baseball. He played in the Negro American League for nine years. His career lasted from 1948 to 1956. Ulysses was born in Amory, Mississippi. He batted and threw with his right hand.

Playing Baseball

Ulysses Hollimon played for different teams. His most well-known teams were the Birmingham Black Barons and the Baltimore Elite Giants. He was a pitcher for these teams.

In 1951, he played in a special game. It was called the East–West All-Star Game. This game was held at Comiskey Park. During the game, he hit a double. A double means he hit the ball and reached second base safely.

Life After Baseball

After his baseball career, Ulysses Hollimon went to college. He attended Tennessee A&I College. Later, he worked for the Ford Motor Company. He worked there for 33 years.

He also loved coaching young players. He coached Little League Baseball for many years. He coached in Plattsburg, Missouri, where he lived.

A Special Recognition

In 2008, something special happened. Major League Baseball (MLB) held a unique draft. It was called the special draft of surviving Negro League players. The Kansas City Royals chose Ulysses Hollimon as a pitcher.

This idea came from Baseball Hall of Fame player Dave Winfield. The draft was a way to honor players. It recognized those who could not play in the major leagues. This was because of their race during that time. It was a way to show respect for their talent.