Champ Summers
From BR Bullpen
John Junior Summers
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 205 lb.
- School Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- Debut May 4, 1974
- Final Game September 30, 1984
- Born June 15, 1946 in Bremerton, WA USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
"This is a rookie?" - Gene Tenace and Reggie Jackson, on seeing the 28-year-old Champ Summers come up
Champ Summers, who started in pro ball at age 25, bounced from the Oakland Athletics to the Chicago Cubs to the Cincinnati Reds before finally establishing himself in the majors with the Detroit Tigers at age 32. In 1979, he hit 20 home runs in 90 games with the Tigers after being traded from the Reds, and the next year he hit 17 while primarily playing designated hitter.
According to a 2003 Chicago Sun Times article, Summers was discovered playing men's softball after having served in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. His father was a Navy prizefighter and a railroad worker, while his mother was a professional bowler and a waitress. Summers said that the Cardinals didn't want to sign him because he was 25, but he did well in the tryout so they did anyway.
His last major league appearance was in the 1984 World Series with the 1984 San Diego Padres.
" . . . we were trying to leave Tiger Stadium after losing the World Series. Rioting fans shook our bus until I came out the door and stopped them because they knew who I was from having had a few good years with the Tigers. It was scary." - Champ Summers
In 1989, Summers played for the Fort Myers Sun Sox of the Senior Professional Baseball Association. He batted .292 in 10 games.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1978 Minor League Player of the Year, Indianapolis Indians, American Association
- 1978 MVP American Association, Indianapolis Indians
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1979)
[edit] Year-By-Year Minor League Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Gateway Grizzlies | Frontier League | 37-44 | 8th | Independent Leagues |
