Career
Prior to 1882, Thorner had owned the Cincinnati ballclub in the National League. After the 1880 season, Thorner"s club was expelled from the league. The Reds were consistent losers on the field (last place in 1880) and at the box office, and while the rest of the owners wanted changes banning Sunday baseball and beer selling at the park, Cincinnati objected, saying too much of the club"s revenue would be lost.
This expulsion spurred the creation of the new American Association.
After the 1883 season, he became owner of the Cincinnati Outlaw Reds of the Union Association. Thorner was succeeded as owner of the Cincinnati American Association franchise by Aaron South. Stern.
A son of Jacob and Rosalia (Baun) Thorner, he managed a brewery in Cincinnati, and in part got involved in baseball to help sell beer. He was born in Hanover, Germany, died in Cincinnati.
He is buried in Cincinnati"s United Jewish Cemetery, Walnut Hills.
