Born in Streator, Illinois in 1942, Joe Schmitz now lives in Morris, Illinois with his wife, where they raised their three children. 

Joe has had a long and illustrious career, but always made time for his passions: baseball, the Chicago White Sox, and giving back. He’s been a White Sox season ticket holder since 1977, and he’s keeping the Schmitz tradition alive and strong by taking his kids and grand kids with him to games these days. 

Joe’s fandom doesn’t end with his game attendance, though. He transforms his passion for baseball into generosity. As the 1979 founder of “Operation St. Nick,” approximately 5,000 families in need have been the beneficiaries of about $2 million donated.

In 2009, Major League Baseball partnered with People Magazine to form All-Stars Among Us, a national platform which identifies 30 outstanding individuals who have dedicated themselves to community service. These All-Stars continuously go above and beyond to inspire and enrich the lives of others, devoting themselves to community service and social responsibility. At that year’s MLB All-Star Game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, our very own Joe Schmitz represented the Chicago White Sox as one of the 30 individuals who was nationally recognized for being committed to giving back.

In 2005 Joe authored the book My Lifetime Love Affair With The White Sox. The forward was contributed by Roland Hemond, White Sox General Manager from 1970-1985. Special mention of the Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum also found its way onto the pages.

Joe Schmitz has always been a Shoeless Joe supporter, and has always relayed a clear and decisive message:

“My main wish for the museum is that all baseball fans learn what a great player Joe was, and that he did not throw, and was not part of throwing, any games in the 1919 World Series. Joe’s name should be cleared of any wrong doing. He should be re-instated into the good graces of baseball and immediately be considered for enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.”

Joe was a successful banker, serving as Vice President for First Midwest Bank of Morris. After 25 years, he become President and CEO at Exchange Bank in Gardner, Illinois, where he served until he retired. He has always been actively involved in community and charitable activities, serving on several boards. He also coached boys’ baseball and girls’ softball for many years.

His philanthropic work has not gone unnoticed. Included among the many awards he’s received are The Grundy County Chamber Man of the Year, The Illinois Governor’s Home Town Winner for Operation St. Nick, People Magazine’s national winner for People Among Us, Joliet Jr. College winner of the J.D. Ross Extraordinary Service Award, Morris Rotary Paul Harris Award Winner for Community Work, and the Joliet Herald Every Day Hero Award.

Joe Schmitz has been on the Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum Advisory Board since 2011, being one of the first Advisory Members. A true fan, his license plate and email address are both Shoeless Joe references. As an Advisor to our museum, Joe brings a wealth of knowledge. But Joe doesn’t just participate… he goes above and beyond.