Editing Jimmie Foxx (section)

==Early years==
James Emory Foxx was born on October 22, 1907, in rural [[Sudlersville, Maryland|Sudlersville]] on the [[Eastern Shore of Maryland|Eastern Shore]] of [[Maryland]],<ref name="sabr">{{sabrbio|e34a045d|John Bennett|May 17, 2022}}</ref> to [[tenant farmer]]s Dell and Mattie Foxx.<ref name="Daniel, H. Harrison pp.1">[[#Daniel04|Daniel, H. Harrison]], pp. 1</ref> Dell Foxx had played baseball for a town team when he was younger. Jimmie Foxx did well in school but excelled in sports, particularly soccer, track, and baseball. He played all three sports at [[Queen Anne's County High School|Sudlersville High School]], and set the state record in both the 220 and 80 yard dash in 1923.<ref name="Millikin, Mark R. pp.14">[[#Millikin05|Millikin, Mark R.]], pp. 14</ref><ref name="Daniel, H. Harrison pp.3">[[#Daniel04|Daniel, H. Harrison]], pp. 3</ref> So great were his athletic exploits he was regarded as "the most promising athletic prospect in the State of Maryland",<ref name="Millikin, Mark R. pp.14"/> and a scholarship to the [[University of Maryland]] was arranged — in track and field — should he wish to attend.<ref name="Millikin, Mark R. pp.15">[[#Millikin05|Millikin, Mark R.]], pp. 15</ref> In April 1924, Foxx met with [[Home Run Baker|Frank "Home Run" Baker]], a former member of [[Philadelphia Athletics]], and then manager of the minor league [[Class D (baseball)|Class D]] level [[Easton Farmers]]. Baker offered Foxx a contract to play for the Farmers for $100 a month.<ref name="Daniel, H. Harrison pp.8">[[#Daniel04|Daniel, H. Harrison]], pp. 8</ref>

Foxx had hoped to pitch or play [[third baseman|third base]], but since the team was short on [[catcher]]s, Foxx moved behind the plate, a position he had played in high school and on summer all-star teams.<ref name="Millikin, Mark R. pp.13">[[#Millikin05|Millikin, Mark R.]], pp. 13</ref> He immediately drew interest from the [[Philadelphia Athletics]] (A's) and [[New York Yankees]]. In July 1924, A's owner [[Connie Mack]] purchased Foxx's contract from the Farmers for $2,000<ref name="Daniel, H. Harrison pp.12-14">[[#Daniel04|Daniel, H. Harrison]], pp. 12-14</ref> and Foxx stated that he would finish out the season with Easton before joining the Athletics. He traveled to Philadelphia later in the 1924 season and sat in the dugout during games, and never appeared in one.<ref name="Daniel, H. Harrison pp.12-14"/> Foxx, who at this time was a senior in high school, was forbidden by Mack from participating in any school athletics for fear that this might "jeopardize his baseball future."<ref name="Daniel, H. Harrison pp.42">[[Jimmie Foxx#Daniel04|Daniel, H. Harrison]], pp. 4</ref> Foxx would drop out of school, and joined the Athletics for [[spring training]] in [[Fort Myers, Florida]]. As a result, he did not graduate, but he did receive a certificate which designated him an honorary member of the class.<ref name="Daniel, H. Harrison pp.12-14"/>