Books and articles about Charles W. Somers

One of the three key men, with Ban Johnson and Charles Comiskey, involved in the launching of the American League, Somers owned the Cleveland club and put up the money to start the Boston and Philadelphia clubs. He built one of the first concrete grandstands at Cleveland's League Park in 1909. He never had a winner at Cleveland, the closest finish being a half-game back of Detroit in 1908. (NLM)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » February 16, 1916: Energetic recruiting by Ban Johnson produces a pair of Chicago contractors to take over the Cleveland franchise from Charles W. Somers, a lavish spender at the American League's creation but now in financial difficulties. J.C. Dunn and P.S. McCarthy pay $500,000—$60,000 less than the asking price. E.S. Barnard will stay on as vice president; Lee Fohl, as manager.