Denny Sommers: Late Seventies Mets First Base Coach (1977-1979)

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Dennis James Sommers was born on July 12, 1940 in New London, Wisconsin. Sommers’ was a big six foot two, 205 pound, left hand hitting catcher that threw right handed. He played in the San Francisco Giants organization for ten seasons batting .220 with 17 HRs & 162 RBIs. 

He then became a minor league manager in their organization, first as a player manager in 1966. He managed in their system for ten years, getting to three league titles, winning a Texas League title as co-champs in 1975.

Mets Career: In 1977 he got his first chance in the big leagues, as coach of the Mets under manager Joe Frazier. He served as the team's bullpen coach for two seasons, working under Joe Torre when Frazier got fired later in 1977. 

1977 All Star Game: Sommers was with the National League as a coach for the 1977 AL All Star Game in the Bronx, New York. See the below photo with him frolicking in the clubhouse with Tom Seaver, Willie Mays & John Stearns.

 Sommers contract was not renewed in 1979 & he went to the Detroit Tigers organization managing in their minor league system.

He later coached for the Cleveland Indians (1980-1985) & San Diego Padres (1988-1990) at the big league level. In the early nineties he then worked for the Milwaukee Brewers as a special assistant to the GM.

Passing: Somers passed away in September 2020 at age 81, at Hortonville, Wisconsin..

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