[1] His family moved west, initially to Twin Falls, Idaho, and then to Tracyton, Washington, where his father went to work in the shipyards.

[2] Sullivan was a three-sport athlete, playing football, baseball, and basketball, at Silverdale High School where he graduated in 1928.

[3] After high school, Sullivan played semi-pro ball for the Bremerton Cruisers of the Northwest League.

[3] In 1930, Sullivan signed with a scout for the New York Yankees and was assigned to the Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League (PCL).

[6] He followed with two more complete game victories over the Boston Red Sox on May 4 and the Washington Senators on May 10 to extend his record to 3–0.

[1] The Tigers won the American League pennant, but Sullivan did not play in the 1935 World Series.

[4] In 1937, Sullivan returned to the minor leagues, appearing in 37 games, 29 as a starter, for the Toledo Mud Hens.

[2] In 1945, he began a career with the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, where he eventually became fire chief and worked until 1970.