Topic: Jimmie Foxx

James Emory "Jimmie" Foxx (October 22, 1907 – July 21, 1967) (nicknamed Double X and The Beast) was an American first baseman and noted power hitter in Major League Baseball. Foxx was the second major league player to hit 500 career home runs, and at age 32 years 336 days, is the second youngest to reach that mark, behind Alex Rodriguez.

Born in Sudlersville, Maryland, Foxx played baseball in high school and dropped out to join a minor league team managed by former Philadelphia Athletics great Frank "Home Run" Baker. Foxx had hoped to pitch or play third base, but since the team was short on catchers, Foxx moved behind the plate. He immediately drew interest from the Athletics and New York Yankees. Foxx signed with the A's and made his major league debut in 1925 at age 17.

The A's catching duties were already filled by future Hall of Famer Mickey Cochrane, so by 1927, Foxx was splitting time between catching, first base, and the outfield. In 1929, installed as the A's regular first baseman, Foxx had a breakthrough year, batting.354 and hitting 33 home runs. In 1932, Foxx hit 58 home runs. He followed up in 1933 by winning the Triple Crown with a batting average of.356, 163 RBIs, and 48 home runs. He won back-to-back MVP honors in 1932 and 1933.