The newly completed Ben Cheney Stadium stood empty on May 18, 1960 when this aerial photograph was taken. The Tacoma Giants, playing in the Pacific Coast League, were out of town playing the San Diego Padres. The $840,000 Cheney Stadium was completed in just three months, fourteen days. As shown above, the parking lots were not yet paved due to slight sinking but a temporary surface made of sand was being applied. Also planned were bleachers to seat another 650 fans on the left field side of the grandstand. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber. (TNT 5-27-60 p. 23) TPL-9727

Aerial photographs; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

ca. 1959. Proposed grandstand for the Tacoma-Pierce County baseball park, later known as Cheney Stadium, as submitted by Ben Cheney. The stadium began operation in April of 1960. The City Council voted 8-1 to award the construction contract for its baseball park to Ben Cheney based on this design, with Mrs. Clara Goering as the lone desenter. Associated with Cheney in his bid were Earley Construction and Concrete Technology. The $647,088 contract called for a prestressed concrete structure. The proposed stadium had convinced the San Francisco Giants to transfer their Phoenix Franchise to Tacoma, marking Tacoma's entrance into the Pacific Coast Baseball League. The opening saga had been the drawn out selection of a site for the baseball park. Ben Cheney proposed a plan under the lease-purchase act where the city would acquire the property he owned at Cheney Field at 1/2 its appraised evaluation. He would then build a $620, 000 stadium which the city would lease over a number of years with the property eventually reverting to the city. The county and city finally agreed jointly on a undeveloped site owned by Metropolitan Parks at Snake Lake, south of Heidelberg Park, that would be gifted to the city. A baseball park that seats 7,000 would be constructed at a cost of $590,000. The city and county would each pay $21,700 a year for 20 years; anticipated revenue from the park was a minimum of $14,000 a year. Ben Cheney made a counter proposal and Snake Lake was still selected as the site. After further discussions and concessions, including offering the majority of the property for free, the stadium site was moved to Cheney Field in order to meet the April completion deadline and possibly to avoid offending Cheney, one of the main contributors to sports in Tacoma. Then it was moved back to the Snake Lake Recreational area, at So. 23rd & Cheyenne, by a 6-2 vote with only Mayor Ben Hanson and Mrs. Clara Goering voting for the Cheney Field site. Objections included the 426 foot strip along So. 38th retained by Cheney and potential traffic problems. The stadium was finally built at the Snake Lake site and named for Cheney, sports greatest friend and benefactor in Tacoma. (TNT 8/15/1959, pg. 1; 8/18/1959, pg 1; 9/11/1959, pg. 1; 9/15/1959, pg.1; 12/22/1959, pg. 1)

Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Ben Cheney. Lumberman and philanthropist Ben Cheney, in overcoat, surveys what will eventually be named Cheney Stadium. He is standing on the first six tiers of grandstand pre-stressed concrete seating along with an unidentified man in early February, 1960. The grandstand was expected to be completed in 30 days. The site on South Tyler was cleared by Fort Lewis soldiers with flamethrowers. Construction was a "100 day wonder" as it was completed in three months, fourteen days.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Concrete--Tacoma; Grandstands--Tacoma--1960-1970;

In February of 1960 Ben Cheney and job foreman Hank Vallee studied the blue prints for the future Cheney Stadium while standing in the grandstand seating section of the construction site. Mr. Vallee had been an outfielder for the Tacoma Tigers in 1946 and 1947 and remained in the area before retiring to Cle Elum. Designed by E.L. Mills & Associates and under the supervision of Robert Mast, project engineer, Cheney Stadium was built in an amazing three months, fourteen days and was called "the 100-Day Wonder." The contractors from Earley Construction Company used structural concrete from Concrete Technology Corporation. The new home of the Tacoma Giants was dedicated on June 7, 1960 and officially designated "Cheney Stadium" in honor of Tacoma lumberman and sportsman Ben B. Cheney. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Vallee, Hank; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Concrete--Tacoma;

A crew of workmen were putting the finishing touches on Cheney Stadium in April of 1960. The giant, plywood wall in center field was eventually dubbed the "Great Wall of Cheney". Nalley's had already put up an advertisement which portrayed a baseball player, glove extended, reaching for an oncoming ball. Nalley's promised that any batter who hit the glove would collect $50 from the company. The stadium, which took a little more than three months to build at a cost of $840,000, was ready for the Tacoma Giants opening day game on April 14, 1960. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 3-25-60, p. 1, 4-12-60, C-9)

Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Advertisements--Tacoma;

Workmen are dwarfed beneath the towering pre-stressed, pre-fabricated concrete grandstands of Cheney Stadium. There were 1500 concrete pieces in the stadium all with steel cables running through them. 26 bays, each weighing 42 tons, were located in the stadium. It would be open in just nine days, on April 14, 1960, as the Tacoma Giants would face the Portland Beavers in a day-night match. The last grandstand was put into place on March 25, 1960, and the infield and outfield turf was already installed. The $840,000 stadium would accommodate 8,240 fans, 5740 under the covered grandstand and 2500 in the bleachers. Photograph ordered by the Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 3-25-60, p. 1, 4-12-60, C-12)

Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Grandstands--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Cheney Stadium. The last finishing touches are being put into place in the new Cheney Stadium in preparation for baseball's seasonal opener on April 14, 1960. Pacific Coast League baseball would be coming to Tacoma for the first time since 1905 as the local Tacoma Giants face off with the Portland Beavers. View of nearly empty stadium with three workers near dugout; covered grandstand would be able to accommodate 5740 fans with an additional 2500 in the bleachers. Photograph ordered by the Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 3-25-60, p. 1)

Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Grandstands--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Opening day ceremonies at Cheney Stadium preceding Pacific Coast League matchup between the Tacoma Giants and Portland Beavers on April 16, 1960. Tacoma Mayor Ben Hanson at the microphone. Ben Cheney, Giants Board of Directors, second from right; next to him is W.D. "Rosy" Ryan, Giants vice president/general manager. "Rosy" Ryan had pitched in three World Series with the old N.Y. Giants. He saw service with Brooklyn, Boston and the Yankees, where he was a roommate of Babe Ruth. He played under skippers Miller Huggins, John McGraw and Casey Stengel. (TNT 4-12-60, D-2)

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Public speaking--Tacoma; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Ryan, W.D.; Hanson, Ben;

All eyes are focused on the swinging batter during Tacoma's opening day of Pacific League baseball in brand new Cheney Stadium. The packed grandstands are filled with young and old, all eager to see the Tacoma Giants battle the visiting Portland Beavers in a doubleheader on April 16, 1960. Some spectators prefer to roam the non-bleacher area on the right, perhaps to get a better view, or to enjoy the bright skies on game day. Scheduled for April 14th, opening day had to be postponed due to a major spring storm which included 59 mph winds, lows of 37 degrees, and traces of snow. The Army was called in to set a napalm fire in the infield dirt and also used portable "Herman Nelson" heaters to help dry the turf. The Tacoma Giants lost the opening game 7-2 but won the nightcap 11-0 behind an 8-hit shutout by future Hall-of-Famer Juan Marichal. 6,612 fans watched the day game while the night crowd totaled 5,671. (TNT 4-16-60, p.1-article; TNT 4-17-60, A-1-article) TPL-9657

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sports spectators--Tacoma; Grandstands--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

View of packed grandstands of Cheney Stadium on opening day for the Pacific Coast League baseball season, April 16, 1960. Tacoma held its breath and was rewarded with sunny skies on Saturday for the inaugural games featuring the Tacoma Giants and visiting Portland Beavers. Opening day had been scheduled for April 14th but harsh spring storms and cold weather postponed the debut until the 16th. 6,612 would be in attendance for the day game and 5,671 braved the chiller night weather for the second half of the doubleheader. Prices in 1960 were listed as $2 for box seats, $1.50 for reserved seating, $1.25 for grandstand, 90 cents for pavilion and 50 cents for kids and students. Tacoma, despite losing the first game 7-2, would rebound with a 11-0 shellacking of the Beavers in the nightcap. Future stars Juan Marichal and Matty Alou played prominent roles in the victory. (TNT 4-12-60, C-2, 4-17-60, A-1)

Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Sports spectators--Tacoma; Grandstands--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The Tacoma Giants played a double-header against the Portland Beavers on April 16, 1960 for opening day in Tacoma's new Cheney Stadium. In this photo from the first game of the day a ballplayer believed to be left fielder Dusty Rhodes makes contact with the ball to the delight of the large hometown crowd in the stands. The Portland squad won the first game 7 - 2 but fell to the home team in the nightcap, losing 11 - 0 due to the 8-hit shutout by future Hall-of-Famer Juan Marichal. Opening day had to be postponed until Saturday, April 16th, due to a 59 mph spring storm, massive rains, and low temperatures. Rhodes had a successful debut with the Tacoma Giants, going 2 - 4 in both games. He had played a major role in the New York Giants World Series victory in 1954 and played for seven years in the major leagues. TPL-9762

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rhodes, Dusty; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

Mark Wojahn of 3592 East "K" Street was photographed in uniform at the Tacoma Giants' opening day game in Cheney Stadium on April 16, 1960. He won the batboy contest sponsored by ShopRite Food Centers and became the Giants' first batboy for 1960. He is wearing a cap with the large letter "T" embroidered above the bill; his hands and a towel are partially covering his baseball jersey. As batboy Mark watched every play in the new stadium from the edge of the field. (TNT 4-12-60, D-1 Ad)

Wojahn, Mark; Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hats--1960-1970;

Being met at home plate is young Tacoma Giants player Matty Alou in this April 16, 1960, Pacific Coast League opener between the Giants and the visiting Portland Beavers. One of three Alou brothers from the Dominican Republic who went on to play major league baseball, Matty Alou was the best hitter for average and probably the fastest. His 15-year major league career included lengthy stints with the San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals. He led the league in batting, .342, in 1966 as a Pittsburgh Pirate and would help Oakland to its first World Series championship in 1972. Centerfielder Alou was sent down just days before the season opened by the big league San Francisco Giants so that he could play regularly. Groomed as the successor to Willie Mays, this would help to keep his baseball skills sharp. (baseballlibrary.com) (Additional identification by a reader)

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Alou, Matty; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

Seven Portland Beavers look none-too-pleased as they watch the action outside the dugout between their club and the host Tacoma Giants on opening day, April 16, 1960. Opening day was postponed until Saturday, April 16th, due to a 59 mph spring storm which brought traces of snow and lows of 37 degrees. The day/night doubleheader was being played at the newly constructed Cheney Stadium on (then) Bantz Blvd. Over 12,000 baseball fans flocked to see the first Pacific Coast League contests played in Tacoma since 1905. Tacoma would lose its first game 7-2 but blank the Beavers in the nightcap, 11-0, with the strong pitching of future major league star, righthander Juan Marichal.

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

Line-up of Tacoma Giants baseball team on opening day, April 16, 1960, in the brand new Cheney Stadium. The Giants, managed by John "Red" Davis, were being introduced to the thousands attending the first game held in the new facility. The Tacoma team would be playing the Portland Beavers in day-night matches. Lights installed on six giant towers would provide clear viewing for night games with each tower having a bank of 62 - 1,500 watt bulbs.

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

Tacoma Giants owner Ben Cheney and wife Marian on opening day of Pacific Coast League baseball, April 16, 1960. Mr. and Mrs. Cheney enjoying front row seats at the Tacoma Giants - Portland Beavers match in newly constructed Cheney Stadium. Ben Cheney played a major role in luring back Pacific Coast League baseball to Tacoma.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Cheney, Marian; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Managed by Tommy Heath, the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League are being introduced to the thousands of spectators at Cheney Stadium on April 16, 1960, opening day of baseball. They would be the hometown Tacoma Giants' first opponent in the new stadium which was completed in three months, 14 days. The stadium was finished in time for the Giants' first game; however, the fickle spring weather did not cooperate and a massive windstorm forced postponement until Saturday, April 16th, of the doubleheader between the two Pacific Coast League clubs. They would split the games, with Portland on top in the first game, 7-2 and Tacoma coming back strong in the nightcap, 11-0.

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);