Ed Summers
Encyclopedia
Oron Edgar Summers nicknamed "Kickapoo Ed," due to his Kickapoo ancestry. was an American
right-handed pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played five seasons with the Detroit Tigers
(1908–12).
Summers was born in Ladoga, Indiana
, and attended Wabash College
at Crawfordsville, Indiana
. He began his baseball playing career in the American Association
before joining the Tigers in the American League
in 1908
.
In his rookie season, Summers emerged as the Tigers' best pitcher, finishing with a 1.64 ERA
in 301 innings pitched
and a 24-12 win-loss record. On September 25, 1908, the Tigers were 2 games back of the Cleveland Naps
for the AL pennant
and were scheduled to play a doubleheader
. Summers threw two complete game
victories, winning the second game 1-0 after throwing 10 shutout innings. The Tigers went on to win the pennant and returned to the World Series
for a rematch against the Chicago Cubs
.
In the 1908 World Series
, Summers pitched in Games 1 and 4, losing both times to Three Finger Brown
. That season his 24 wins
placed him tied for second place in the AL behind Ed Walsh
's 40, and his 1.64 ERA remains the Tigers' single season record.
On July 16, 1909, Summers pitched 18 scoreless innings of a tie game against the Washington Senators
at Bennett Park. He finished the 1909
season at 19-9 and the Tigers recaptured the pennant. In the 1909 World Series
, he could not escape the first inning of Game 3, allowing five unearned runs to the Pittsburgh Pirates
. He returned for Game 5 but lost to Babe Adams
.
Summers only played three additional seasons before rheumatism
finally ended his playing career at age 27. In 138 career games, he had a 68-45 record with a 2.42 ERA, including 79 complete games and 9 shutouts in 999 innings.
He died from a cerebral hemorrhage at age 68 in 1953 in Indianapolis, Indiana
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
right-handed pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played five seasons with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
(1908–12).
Summers was born in Ladoga, Indiana
Ladoga, Indiana
Ladoga is a town in Clark Township, Montgomery County, Indiana, United States. The population was 985 at the 2010 census.-History:Ladoga was platted in 1836 by John Meyers. Meyers invited his friends to help him find a name. He required that the name not end in -burg or -ville and that it would not...
, and attended Wabash College
Wabash College
Wabash College is a small, private, liberal arts college for men, located in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Along with Hampden-Sydney College and Morehouse College, Wabash is one of only three remaining traditional all-men's liberal arts colleges in the United States.-History:Wabash College was founded...
at Crawfordsville, Indiana
Crawfordsville, Indiana
Crawfordsville is a city in Union Township, Montgomery County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 15,915. The city is the county seat of Montgomery County...
. He began his baseball playing career in the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
before joining the Tigers in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
in 1908
1908 in baseball
-Statistical leaders:-American League final standings:-National League final standings:-January-March:*February 27 - The sacrifice fly rule is adopted. No time at bat is charged if a run scores after the catch of a fly ball...
.
In his rookie season, Summers emerged as the Tigers' best pitcher, finishing with a 1.64 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in 301 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
and a 24-12 win-loss record. On September 25, 1908, the Tigers were 2 games back of the Cleveland Naps
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
for the AL pennant
American League pennant winners 1901-68
Each season in Major League Baseball , one American League team wins the pennant, signifying that they are the league's champion and have the right to play in the World Series. The pennant was presented to the team with the best win–loss record each year through the 1968 season, after which the...
and were scheduled to play a doubleheader
Doubleheader (baseball)
A doubleheader is a set of two baseball games played between the same two teams on the same day in front of the same crowd. In addition, the term is often used unofficially to refer to a pair of games played by a team in a single day, but in front of different crowds and not in immediate...
. Summers threw two complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
victories, winning the second game 1-0 after throwing 10 shutout innings. The Tigers went on to win the pennant and returned to the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
for a rematch against the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
.
1908 World Series
The 1908 World Series matched the defending champion Chicago Cubs against the Detroit Tigers in a rematch of the 1907 Series. In this first-ever rematch of this young event, the Cubs won in five games for their second consecutive title....
, Summers pitched in Games 1 and 4, losing both times to Three Finger Brown
Mordecai Brown
Mordecai Peter Centennial Brown , nicknamed "Three Finger" or "Miner", was an American Major League Baseball pitcher at the turn of the 20th century. Due to a farm-machinery accident in his youth, Brown lost parts of two fingers on his right hand and eventually acquired his nickname as a result...
. That season his 24 wins
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
placed him tied for second place in the AL behind Ed Walsh
Ed Walsh
Edward Augustine Walsh was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He holds the record for lowest career ERA, 1.82.-Baseball career:Born in Plains Township, Pennsylvania, Walsh had a brief though remarkable major league career...
's 40, and his 1.64 ERA remains the Tigers' single season record.
On July 16, 1909, Summers pitched 18 scoreless innings of a tie game against the Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
at Bennett Park. He finished the 1909
1909 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over Detroit Tigers -MLB statistical leaders:-American League final standings:-National League final standings:-Events:...
season at 19-9 and the Tigers recaptured the pennant. In the 1909 World Series
1909 World Series
The 1909 World Series featured the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Tigers. The Pirates won the Series in seven games to capture their first championship of the modern Major League Baseball era and the second championship in the club's history....
, he could not escape the first inning of Game 3, allowing five unearned runs to the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. He returned for Game 5 but lost to Babe Adams
Babe Adams
Charles Benjamin "Babe" Adams was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1906 to 1926 who spent nearly his entire career with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
.
Rheumatism
Rheumatism or rheumatic disorder is a non-specific term for medical problems affecting the joints and connective tissue. The study of, and therapeutic interventions in, such disorders is called rheumatology.-Terminology:...
finally ended his playing career at age 27. In 138 career games, he had a 68-45 record with a 2.42 ERA, including 79 complete games and 9 shutouts in 999 innings.
He died from a cerebral hemorrhage at age 68 in 1953 in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
.
Trivia
- Ed Summers and Justin VerlanderJustin VerlanderJustin Brooks Verlander is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball....
are the only Tigers rookie pitchers to start a game in the World Series.
- Summers gave up six consecutive hits in the ninth inning of Game 1 of the 1908 World Series1908 World SeriesThe 1908 World Series matched the defending champion Chicago Cubs against the Detroit Tigers in a rematch of the 1907 Series. In this first-ever rematch of this young event, the Cubs won in five games for their second consecutive title....
. That is the most hits allowed in a row by one pitcher in one World Series game.
See also
- Best pitching seasons by a Detroit Tiger