Joe Sommer

Joseph John Sommer

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 165 lb.

• Debut July 8, 1880
• Final Game October 15, 1890
• Born November 20, 1858 in Covington, KY USA
• Died January 16, 1938 in Cincinnati, OH USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Joe Sommer played ten seasons in the big leagues, mostly in the American Association. A site called Baseball Awards says that Sommer deserved to be # 3 if there had been MVP voting in 1882.

Sommer was the first major league star born in Kentucky. He was born there in 1858, two years before Fred Pfeffer and three years before Pete Browning.

He broke in with the Cincinnati team in the National League, moved then to the Cincinnati team in the American Association, and then spent the bulk of his major league career with the 19th Century Baltimore Orioles.

Sommer played all nine positions in the field during his major league career, appearing more in left field, right field, and third base than anywhere else. However, in 1886 he was used in 32 games at second base and in 1888 he was in 34 games at shortstop. As a pitcher he was not effective, giving up 33 hits in 14 innings of work. He also worked one game as an umpire in the American Association in 1888.

Sporting Life of July 19, 1913 remembered him as the "Son of Swat", and said he was working as a referee at the Cincinnati motordrome.

"As they gazed upon Joe Sommer at third, their eyes bulged. Sommer was one of A.S. Stern's champions on the Bank street grounds in 1882. He handled himself like a youngster, hammered out a couple of hits and scored two runs. 'Why, that 'boy' Summer', declared Reardon, 'was a splendid third baseman, over in Covington way back in '76.' Think of it! Thirty one years ago!" - an account of an old timers' game at a benefit for Bug Holliday, reported in Sporting Life, Sept. 28, 1907

"Joe Sommer . . . still dons a uniform and knocks around the minors and semi-profs." - Sporting Life, March 14, 1908

"Joe Sommer lives across the river and gets along so well with Father Time that he looks better than many a young blood." - Sporting Life, March 4, 1911

Related Sites

• Joe Sommer at the SABR Bio Project
• His 1887 baseball card can be found here: Joe Sommer.