Aaron S. Stern

Aaron S. Stern (c. 1854 – April 3, 1920) was an American clothing firm executive and theatrical producer. He is best remembered as an executive with the Cincinnati Red Stockings, a major league professional baseball team, during the 1880s. The Red Stockings competed in the American Association through 1889, then moved to the National League in 1890, where they have competed to the present day as the Cincinnati Reds.

Aaron S. Stern
Stern in 1888
Bornc. 1854[lower-alpha 1]
Bloomington, Illinois
DiedApril 3, 1920(1920-04-03) (aged 65–66)
Cincinnati, Ohio
Occupations

Biography
1888 Red Stockings team photo with Stern at center (in suit)

Stern was a stockholder of the Cincinnati Red Stockings by the 1882 season.[3] With Justus Thorner as team president,[3] the 1882 Red Stockings finished in first place in the American Association.[4] Prior to the 1883 season, Stern was elected as president of the team.[5] He was president at the conclusion of the 1890 season,[lower-alpha 2] when the team was sold.[6][7]

Stern was the controlling owner of the Red Stockings at two different points in time.[8] He initially owned the team during the 1884 season, preceded by Thorner and followed by George Herancourt, and later owned the team during the 1887–1890 seasons, preceded by John Hauck and followed by John T. Brush.[9][lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4] Although personally generous, as an owner Stern was considered a penny-pincher, cutting salaries and costs in order to keep the team afloat.

Born in Bloomington, Illinois, Stern never married.[1] He headed the Cincinnati clothing firm of Stern, Lauer and Shohl.[1] In 1906, he changed professions, moving to New York City where he became a theatrical producer.[1] Stern died in Cincinnati in April 1920 and was buried in United Jewish Cemetery there.[1]

Notes
  1. When Stern was born is unclear. His obituary stated that he was born in June 1853.[1] His gravestone, as seen in online photos, reads 1854. Ancestry.com records suggest January 1855.[2]
  2. It is unclear if Stern was team president continuously from 1883 to 1890.
  3. Al Johnson briefly owned the team during the 1890–91 offseason, between Stern and Brush.
  4. Stern's obituary stated that he was the team's president "when they won the pennant in the American Association in 1882 and retained his interest until 1887".[1]

References
  1. "Former Magnate Dies". Cincinnati Enquirer. April 4, 1920. p. 2. Retrieved September 12, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  2. "Aaron Stern". Ancestry.com. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  3. "A Breezy Row Among the Cincinnati Stockholders". The Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. September 28, 1882. p. 2. Retrieved September 12, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  4. "The 1882 Season". Retrosheet. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  5. "Base Ball". The Times-Democrat. New Orleans. January 3, 1883. p. 2. Retrieved September 12, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  6. "(untitled)". The Paxton Record. Paxton, Illinois. October 9, 1890. p. 2. Retrieved September 12, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  7. "Out-Door Sports (column)". The Independent. Hutchinson, Kansas. December 22, 1890. p. 3. Retrieved September 12, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  8. "Sports and Pastimes – Base Ball". Brooklyn Eagle. October 22, 1886. p. 2. Retrieved September 13, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  9. "Reds owners". The Cincinnati Enquirer. November 3, 2005. p. 20. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
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