MLB Fires Executive VP Jimmie Lee Solomon

Jimmie Lee Solomon was one of the highest-ranking African-Americans in MLB's executive offices, if that name does not sound familiar to you, carrying the title of executive VP/baseball development. Now, he's reportedly been fired. Eric Fisher:

MLB execs declined to comment, and it is not clear what precipitated the surprise move or what Selig plans to do to replace Solomon.

This comes two years after Solomon was demoted from executive VP/baseball operations following a spate of high-profile umpiring issues.

But in that instance, he retained an executive VP title as well as a role with legacy potential managing the game's Urban Youth Academies and the league's relationship with minor league baseball.

Joe Torre had taken over Solomon's responsibilities as executive VP/baseball operations when Solomon was demoted; this tweet seems to indicate this has been in the works for some time:

MLB team source on Jimmie Lee Solomon firing by Selig: "This was probably a long time in coming. It seems like the writing was on the wall."

— Eric Fisher (@EricFisherSBJ) June 6, 2012