Charlton Jimerson

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Charlton Maxwell Jimerson (born September 22, 1979 in San Leandro, California) is a center fielder for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball.

1 Early life
2 University of Miami
3 Houston Astros
4 External links

[edit] Early life

Growing up in Hayward, California, Jimerson endured a turbulent childhood. His mother was addicted to crack cocaine, and she often abandoned Charlton and his younger brother Terrence while searching for drugs.[1] His father had moved out and abandoned the family while Jimerson was young, becoming a homeless person, and before that time had been physically abusive of Charlton's mother.[2] The family was supported largely by Jimerson's sister Lanette, who worked as many as three jobs simultaneously to provide financial support. Lanette also helped the oldest of the five children[3], Derrell, sue for custody of Charlton and Terrence when Charlton was 15.[4]

[edit] University of Miami

After Jimerson graduated from Mt. Eden High School, he was chosen by the Astros in the 24th round of the 1997 June draft, with the 760th overall pick. Jimerson did not feel that he was ready for a professional career, however, and he instead chose to attend the University of Miami on an academic scholarship.

Jimerson earned a spot on the University of Miami's baseball team as a walk-on, although he had not been widely recruited in high school. Coach Jim Morris initially tried to convince him to transfer to a junior college,[5] but Jimerson used a homemade portfolio of clippings and a personal essay to impress the coach with his motivation.[6] He was a bench player his first three years, and he did not play during Miami's successful pursuit of the 1999 College World Series title, but an injury to a teammate opened a spot for him in the starting lineup his senior year.

Jimerson took the opportunity and ran with it, ultimately being honored as the "Most Valuable Player" in the 2001 College World Series, as Miami won its second title in three years.[7] He tied a CWS record by stealing four bases in a game against Tennessee[8], and his teammates voted him the "Bob Werner Memorial Award", for exhibiting the qualities of a "winner".[9] Jimerson graduated from the University of Miami with a bachelor's degree in computer science,[10] and the Houston Astros again selected him in the draft, this time using the 146th overall pick, part of the fifth round of the 2001 June draft. This time, Jimerson elected to turn pro.

[edit] Houston Astros

Jimerson is regarded as having very good physical tools, with some scouts comparing his abilities to those of a young Eric Davis.[11] Baseball America cited him as being the "Best Athlete" and having the "Best Outfield Arm" in Houston's farm system in 2005[12], and he has stolen more than 25 bases in each of his four years in full-season baseball. He has had trouble maintaining his batting average, however, hitting only .245 through all levels of the minor leagues. He also strikes out frequently, with 152 Ks in 2005 and 163 the season before.

Jimerson made his major league debut on September 14, 2005, appearing as a defensive replacement in a 10-2 win against the Florida Marlins; he did not record an out, nor did he make a plate appearance.[13] He was called up again after the roster expansion at the end of the 2006 season. When he pinch-hit for Roger Clemens in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies on September 4, 2006, he hit a home run in his first major league at-bat.