Sleeper Sullivan

Thomas Jefferson Sullivan
(Old Iron Hands)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 7", Weight 175 lb.

• Debut May 3, 1881
• Final Game May 10, 1884
• Born 1859 in Ireland
• Died September 25, 1899 in Camden, NJ USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Catcher Sleeper Sullivan made his debut with the Buffalo Bisons in 1881, a team that had many famous and soon-to-become-famous players. After that he played in the American Association and the Union Association.

He is mentioned in the The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract in the article about the Union Association. He was long credited with pitching one game for the St. Louis Maroons on May 29, 1884, but that attribution was wrong. A namesake, William Sullivan, was the pitcher that day.

He umpired two National League games in 1881.

The Buffalo Express of March 3, 1881, carried an article about Sullivan's arrival in Buffalo. The article stated he was of medium height and had played ball for four years.

His minor league career ran through 1892, when he played for Rochester, a team on which he and Ed Swartwood both played.

He apparently gained the nickname "Sleeper" due to the fact that he was not aware that sleeping cars were a thing until a trip on a train with his team.

Further Reading

• "Another New Major Leaguer", in Bill Carle, ed.: Biographical Research Committee Report, SABR, November/December 2011, p. 4.