Major League Baseball Player. Nicknamed “Sparky”, he played Major League baseball as an infielder for 13 seasons (1922 to 1934) for the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds. He first spent time with the Cubs as a utility infielder until a trade allowed him to become a full fledged starter. He responded in 1925 by leading all National League 2nd basemen in putouts, assists and total chances. He also developed into a fine hitting leadoff man, and led the League in at-bats for 3 straight years. After the 1927 season, he was traded to the Pirates with outfielder Pete Scott for future Hall of Famer Kiki Cuyler, who had fallen out of favor with the Pirates. He spent two years with Pittsburgh before being sold to St. Louis. His best years were the 4 and a 1/2 seasons spent with the Cardinals (1930 to 1933), whom he helped to two consecutive World Series appearances in 1930 and 1931 as their starting 3rd baseman. The 1930 Cardinals lost to 4 games to 2 to Connie Mack’s Philadelphia Athletics, but in 1931 they beat the same A’s 4 games to 3. Sparky Adams also led the National League in Doubles with 46 in 1931. He injured his knee in 1932, which caused his production to drop off. After 8 games in 1933 he was sent to the Cincinnati Reds with pitcher Paul Derringer for three players, one of whom would complete the 1933 Cardinals “Gas House Gang” line up – Leo Durocher. His injuries limited his playing time and he was out of baseball after the 1934 season. Thrice in his career he led all NL 3rd baseman in fielding percentage. Despite his decent ability to hit, he had no power, and once had a streak of 3,104 at bats without a home run. When he retired after the 1934 season he had career totals of 1,424 Games Played, 1,588 Hits, 844 Runs, 394 Runs Batted In, 9 Home Runs, and a career .286 Batting Average. (bio by: Russ Dodge)  Family links:  Spouse:  Bertha Frew Adams (1894 – 1989)*  Children:  Earl Adams (1920 – 2010)*  Doris A Adams Enders (1922 – 2015)* *Calculated relationship