Andy Sommers

John Andrew Sommers
(Pete)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11½", Weight 181 lb.

• Debut April 27, 1887
• Final Game October 4, 1890
• Born October 26, 1865 in Cleveland, OH USA
• Died July 22, 1908 in Cleveland, OH USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Andy Sommers, also known as Pete Sommers, played four seasons in the majors, primarily as a catcher. In that time, he appeared for six teams. He also umpired a total of 5 National League games between 1889 and 1893.

His minor league career ran from 1885 to 1896 and he also managed several seasons in the minors.

In 1885 as a young player he was arrested for playing ball on a Sunday (which used to be against the law in many places), and apparently convicted by a jury because the team appealed. Source: The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract.

After baseball he served as an investigator for the Illinois State's Attorney's Office.

Here is an 1887 baseball card. The SABR biography of Dave Orr says that Orr was injured in 1887 when he had a collision with Sommers.