Champ Summers
Born: 6/15/1946 in Bremerton, WA, USA
Died: 10/11/2012 in Ocala, FL, USA
MLB Debut: 1974-05-04 | Final Game: 1984-09-30
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 205 lbs
Full name: John Junior Summers
Biography
Champ Summers, born in 1946, was a professional baseball player whose career spanned from 1974 to 1984. Known for his versatility as a position player, Summers contributed significantly to multiple teams during his time in Major League Baseball. He played in a total of 698 games, amassing 350 hits, 54 home runs, and 218 RBIs, which reflected his ability to impact games both at the plate and in the field. With a career batting average of .255, Summers demonstrated a solid offensive presence, complemented by his 15 stolen bases, showcasing his speed and agility on the base paths.
Summers' career unfolded during a transformative period in baseball, marked by the rise of power hitters and the increasing importance of offensive production. His contributions were particularly valuable to teams looking for a reliable bat. While he may not have been a household name, his consistent performance and ability to adapt to various roles within the lineup made him a respected figure among teammates and opponents alike. After retiring on September 30, 1984, Champ Summers left behind a legacy of dedication and resilience that continues to be remembered by baseball enthusiasts.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 698 | 1371 | 199 | 350 | 63 | 4 | 54 | 218 | 15 | 188 | 244 | 0.255 | 0.350 | 0.425 | 0.776 | 3046.4 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | OAK | AL | 20 | 24 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0.125 | 0.0 |
| 1975 | CHC | NL | 76 | 91 | 14 | 21 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 10 | 13 | 0.231 | -119.1 |
| 1976 | CHC | NL | 83 | 126 | 11 | 26 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 1 | 13 | 31 | 0.206 | -317.6 |
| 1977 | CIN | NL | 59 | 76 | 11 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 16 | 0.171 | -304.4 |
| 1978 | CIN | NL | 13 | 35 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 0.257 | 0.0 |
| 1979 | CIN | NL | 27 | 60 | 10 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 13 | 15 | 0.200 | -37.1 |
| 1979 | DET | AL | 90 | 246 | 47 | 77 | 12 | 1 | 20 | 51 | 7 | 40 | 33 | 0.313 | -37.1 |
| 1980 | DET | AL | 120 | 347 | 61 | 103 | 19 | 1 | 17 | 60 | 4 | 52 | 52 | 0.297 | 1873.1 |
| 1981 | DET | AL | 64 | 165 | 16 | 42 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 21 | 1 | 19 | 35 | 0.255 | 77.2 |
| 1982 | SFG | NL | 70 | 125 | 15 | 31 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 19 | 0 | 16 | 17 | 0.248 | 82.9 |
| 1983 | SFG | NL | 29 | 22 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 0.136 | 0.0 |
| 1984 | SDP | NL | 47 | 54 | 5 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 0.185 | -204.0 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.000 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | NLCS | SDN | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 |
| 1984 | WS | SDN | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 32 | 18 | 192 | 12 | 1 | 23 |
| 3B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| OF | 263 | 189 | 315 | 10 | 14 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | OAK | OF | 12 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1975 | CHN | OF | 18 | 9 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1976 | CHN | C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1976 | CHN | 1B | 10 | 7 | 69 | 4 | 0 | 10 |
| 1976 | CHN | OF | 26 | 12 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1977 | CIN | 3B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1977 | CIN | OF | 16 | 9 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1978 | CIN | OF | 12 | 11 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1979 | CIN | 1B | 6 | 6 | 41 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| 1979 | CIN | OF | 13 | 11 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1979 | DET | 1B | 4 | 2 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1979 | DET | OF | 69 | 60 | 87 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1980 | DET | 1B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1980 | DET | OF | 47 | 33 | 60 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 1981 | DET | OF | 18 | 15 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | SFN | 1B | 3 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1982 | SFN | OF | 31 | 27 | 40 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 1983 | SFN | OF | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1984 | SDN | 1B | 8 | 1 | 53 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 1 |
| First Base | 33 |
| Third Base | 1 |
| Left Field | 104 |
| Right Field | 161 |
| Designated Hitter | 113 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville | IL | 1971 |