Justus Thorner

Justus Thorner (March 2, 1848 - October 10, 1928) was the owner of the Cincinnati Stars in 1880 and the Cincinnati Red Stockings baseball team from 1882 through 1883. He also was a major player in the formation of the American Association. 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 Stars 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. Thorner took ownership of the AA's Cincinnati franchise and in 1882 his team won that league's first pennant. 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 S. 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.