A young baseball player with the 1955 Washington Cheney Studs team. The Cheney Studs were an amateur team made up of the most talented high school and college talent in the Seattle-Tacoma area. This is possibly Fred Emerson, outfielder, for the Studs and student at the University of Washington. Emerson was 18 years of age, 5'11", 180 pounds and originally from Kent, Wa. The Studs finished second in 1955 at the nationals of the American Baseball Congress. They were scouted heavily by the professional teams. Those scouts felt that the team was the best behaved, quietest and had the most major league prospects of any team in the playoffs. Ben Cheney emphasized that the young men on his team finish college before turning professional to better prepare them for life.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma);

Ron Dodge; baseball player with the 1955 Washington Cheney Studs team. The Cheney Studs were an amateur team made up of the most talented high school and college players in the Seattle-Tacoma area. Ron Dodge was one of the catchers for the 1955 team. He was 19 years of age, 6 feet tall and 170 pounds. During the school year he attended the University of Oregon. He was a native of Olympia, Washington. The 1955 Studs team placed second in the nation at the 1955 nationals of the American Baseball Congress from an initial field of 2,500 teams.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma); Dodge, Ron;

Young baseball player with the 1955 Washington Cheney Studs team, possibly Dick Minice. The Cheney Studs were an amateur team made up of the most talented high school and college talent in the Seattle-Tacoma area. The average age of the team in 1955 was 19 years of age. The Studs finished second nationally in the American Baseball Congress from an original field of 2,500 teams across the country. They qualified for the nationals by winning the Cascade League flag with 16 wins and no losses, the state tournament in 4 straight wins and a 5 game sweep at the Northwest series. They lost at nationals to Houston, Texas, who won for the second year in a row.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Cheney Studs were the proud recipients of the Coca-Cola Bottler Award as the 1955 American Baseball Congress National Runner-up. Here sponsor Ben Cheney (R) stands with Studs coach, Joe Budnick; they are jointly gripping the large and heavy trophy. Cheney owned and operated Cheney Lumber but was also well known for his love of sports and generosity in sponsoring teams in a variety of activities. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Budnick, Joe; Awards;

Richards Studio notes indictate that these young ballplayers were the Seattle Cheney Studs who posed at Heidelberg Field on June 19, 1966. Ben Cheney, lumberman philanthropist, sponsored many teams over the years in a variety of sports. They were all called "Cheney Studs" regardless of the sport. Thanks to Mr. Cheney's generosity, thousands were able to participate in amateur sports with Mr. Cheney picking up the tab for uniforms and fees. One of these young men would have a long career in the major leagues: Ron Cey, Mt. Tahoma graduate, who is seated second to the right. Manager George Grant is standing at far left. The 1966 Seattle-Tacoma Cheney Studs marched steadily toward their goal of American Amateur Baseball Congress titleholders by sweeping the Northwest League, State Stan Musial Tournament and Pacific Northwest AABC. They fell just short of the national title with a loss to Dallas on September 19, 1966. (TNT 9-20-1966, p. 22-article on title game)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Uniforms; Cey, Ron; Grant, George;

The Cheney Studs are pictured in front of the Cheney Field sign on August 9, 1958. The Richards Studio has labeled these pictures as the "Seattle" Cheney Studs baseball team. Ben Cheney, local lumberman and noted philanthropist, sponsored many amateur teams in a variety of sports. All groups were called the Cheney Studs regardless of members' ages or sport chosen. Coach Joe Budnick is seated to the far left in this photograph. Others identified are: Earl Hyder, first row 4th from left; Bob Maguinez is in the second row, second from right; Gene Anderson, Cheney Studs Athletic Director is in the second row, extreme right. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hyder, Earl; Maguinez, Bob; Anderson, Gene;

ca. 1958. Additional work had been done on C116559, image 1, to improve appearance of players manually added to the team's roster. This was the South End Boys Club baseball team sponsored by Stamey Insurance in 1958. They played in the Junior League of Metro Park's baseball program. Three boys apparently were not present at the time of the original photograph; the Richards Studio then cut and pasted their images into the group shot. Photograph ordered by Ben Cheney.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Stamey Insurance, Inc. (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);

The grandstand was full on June 9, 1960 in Tacoma's new Cheney Stadium for a game pitting the Tacoma Giants against the Vancouver Mounties. Although open since April 16th, the stadium was officially dedicated in pre-game ceremonies on June 9th. Fans attending the game received a free souvenir program which included a color picture of the team and stadium. They also enjoyed special home run hitting, fungo, and throwing contests between the Giants and the Mounties. The 5,012 paying customers went home happy as Tacoma whipped the Mounties 6-0, earning starter Eddie Fisher his third shutout and sixth victory of the season. (Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber.) (TNT 6-5-60, B-11, 6-10-60, A-1, p. 24)

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

The concession stands, nestled under the pre-stressed concrete grandstands of Tacoma's new ballpark, were almost empty when the Tacoma Giant faced off against the Vancouver Mounties on June 9th, 1960 . Before the game the ballpark was formally christened "Cheney Stadium" during a special dedication ceremony. The concession stands offered traditional hotdogs, soda, popcorn and candy. Discriminating fans could also purchased cigars. The area was well lit as one of the stadium's six giant light towers helps to illuminate the night. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber. (TNT 6-9-60, p. 1-article on dedication ceremonies)

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

Tacoma Giants manager John "Red" Davis and Portland Beavers manager Les Peden engage in a friendly discussion with the umpire during the 1960 baseball season. The Giants opened their season April 16, 1960 in the newly constructed Cheney Stadium. Fans celebrated the new stadium and the return of Pacific Coast League baseball to Tacoma. Portland won the first game, 7-2. The 1960 Tacoma Giants team included future baseball greats Matty Alou, Tom Haller, Juan Marichal, Willie McCovey, Gaylord Perry and Dusty Rhodes.

Past and possible future baseball stars stare into the August, 1961, night. The little boy, lying down on the grass, is believed to be Bucky O'Brien, the ballboy for the Cheney Studs, a team sponsored by local lumberman and philanthropist, Ben Cheney. Both he and his older counterpart, believed to be his father Eddie O'Brien, former major leaguer, Seattle University basketball star, and current Studs coach, are wearing striped uniforms decorated with the Studs logo. The Seattle Studs, defending regional and national champs, would attempt to win the Pacific Coast Regional AABC Amateur Baseball tournament held at Cheney Stadium in early September, 1961. They would, however, not be able to defend their title as the team lost to Portland, 2-0; Portland advanced to the national finals at Battle Creek, Michigan. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 9-1-61, D-3)

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Uniforms;

These beaming teenagers and their coaches were believed to have represented Ben Cheney's Cheney Studs team in the Tacoma Connie Mack League in 1967. The boys, all dressed identically in pinstripe uniforms and caps bearing the Cheney Studs logo, were thought to have been photographed at Heidelberg Park in Tacoma in July of 1967. They had an outstanding 10-2 record that year but failed to obtain entry into the State Connie Mack tourney due to an August loss to North Shore of Seattle, eventual Washington State champs. (TNT 8-2-1967, B-8-article on game)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Uniforms;

Tacoma Giants owner Ben Cheney during a March, 1963, Arizona spring training visit to the Tacoma team's parent club, the San Francisco Giants. Mr. Cheney, second from the right, smiles broadly at the camera. The other man in Giants uniform is S.F. Giants manager Alvin Dark. Mr. Dark was the 1948 Rookie of the Year and would go on to skipper the Oakland A's, leading them to a World Series title in 1974. At the far left is W.D. "Rosy" Ryan, general manager of the Tacoma Giants and next to him, famous screwball pitcher and Hall-of-Famer Carl Hubbell, director of the farm system for the San Francisco Giants. At the start of the 1963 season, the San Francisco Giants were the defending National League champions. ALBUM 9. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Baseball players--Arizona --1960-1970; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; San Francisco Giants (San Francisco); Dark, Alvin; Hubbell, Carl; Ryan, W.D.;

The Cheney Studs "Colts" baseball team posed proudly with their coach Bob Maguinez, a former player, at Heidelberg Field on July 15, 1963. The sixteen players, ages 15-16, are dressed in pinstripes with their uniforms and caps bearing the well-known Studs logo. The Studs were defeated by the 6th Ave. Rebels on July 23rd, 5-2, in Tacoma's Colt League championships. The Rebels, winner of a 4-team title playoff, would go on to compete in District play. (TNT 7-23-63, p. 18)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Uniforms; Maguinez, Bob;

Cheney Stadium. Tacoma Twins general manager Stan Naccarato and two guests look over Cheney Stadium's playing field in mid-February of 1976. With baseball season just around the corner, the stadium and seats would not be empty for long. A portion of Henry Foss High School is visible behind the balllpark's advertisement-filled plywood walls. Photograph ordered by Pacific Coca-Cola Bottling Co. TPL-10542

Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1970-1980; Naccarato, Stan; Henry Foss High School (Tacoma);

Ben Cheney's philanthropic endeavers in amateur sport extended beyond Tacoma as he also sponsored teams outside the local community. This baseball team of Cheney Studs was labeled the "Connie Mack" team and believed to be based in King County. Players 16-18 would be able to participate in league play. Cloy Sykes of Kent was listed as the coach. The team was photographed in July of 1969 at Moshier Field near Sea-Tac. Color photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Baseball players--Washington; Baseball--Washington;

Harold L. Stamey was the owner and president of Stamey Insurance, Inc. with offices at 918 Commerce. In 1957 he and his company sponsored a junior baseball team. They posed for a group picture on June 24, 1957 at Jefferson Park. All the boys are dressed in team uniforms with Stamey Insurance Inc. on the front. Mr. Stamey is in the front row, exteme left. The smaller boy in the front row is listed as Curtis Stamey; he had been the bat boy in previous years. Back row from L to R: Walter Schall, Jerry Mode, Mike Thompson, Terry Bartlett, Owen Brown, Don Drake, and Ed Johnson. Front row (players): Kurt Judd, Larry Jerdahl, Lon Varnadore, Bud Fawcett,Terry Dahl, Ron Mann. Frank Thompson is the man to the far right in the first row. Photograph ordered by Stamey Insurance, Inc.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stamey Insurance, Inc. (Tacoma); Stamey, Harold;

Thanks to local lumberman and philanthropist Ben Cheney, hundreds of young boys and girls were able to participate in a variety of sports. Mr. Cheney especially loved baseball and sponsored the Cheney Studs, a group of high school and college stars who played competitively in the Pacific Northwest and also in national tournaments. View of member of the Cheney Studs; the young man is wearing a pinstriped uniform with the Studs logo on the chest as well as on the cap. The Wilson glove looks small on his large hand. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Baseball clinic. This is believed to be Tacoma Twins catcher Glenn Borgmann who certainly has the attention of his "class," as he demonstrates proper catching techniques. One youngster to the left has his hand out apparently imitating the pro player. This was just a small section of more than 1200 young athletes who visited Cheney Stadium for a two-hour baseball clinic on May 20, 1972, sponsored by the Tacoma Twins and Carling Brewery. The club urged that those attending bring gloves, spikes, and even wear their Little League uniforms if they chose to do so. This was the Tacoma Twins' first year in Tacoma. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Twins. (TNT 5-17-72, C-16 -article; TNT 5-212-72, D-1) TPL-10073

Baseball--Tacoma--1970-1980; Baseball players--Tacoma--1970-1980; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

Tacoma Twins baseball team. Tacoma's Twins were a minor league team affiliated with the Minnesota Twins. 1974 was the third year that the team was based in Tacoma. The team is pictured above in August of 1974 with executive vice-president and general manager, Stan Naccarato (third row, extreme left) and manager Cal Ermer (second row, seated, second to the right).

Baseball--Tacoma--1970-1980; Baseball players--Tacoma--1970-1980; Naccarato, Stan; Ermer, Cal;

ca. 1937. Frozen in time in the middle of a windup is Floyd "Lefty" Isekite of the Tacoma Tigers. "Lefty," a southpaw, pitched in the Western International League in the 1930's. He had a blazing fastball and pitched a no-hitter in 1937 against the Wenatchee Chiefs. "Lefty" last pitched for the Tigers in 1940. He was named to the Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Hall of Fame in 1972. Floyd Gill "Lefty" Isekite passed away in April, 1992. TPL-150. (TNT 11-14-39, p. 20, TNT 8-28-49, B-9)

ca. 1938. Members of the Tacoma Tigers baseball club pose for a 1938 team picture prior to their game with Yakima. William "Hack" Wilson was the Tigers' playing catcher and also their manager. He is believed to be in the back row, third from the right. TPL-4747.

A large crowd fills Lincoln Bowl to watch a City League baseball game on May 29, 1924. Lincoln High School looms in the background. The match on early Thursday evening pitted Fern Hill against the Longshoremen. Fern Hill vaulted into the City League lead over the 23rd Streeters with a 5-3 victory. Longshoremen pitcher Claxton only allowed 5 hits but was charged with three wild pitches and a hit batter. (TNT 5-30-24, p. 18-article) This photograph ran in the News Tribune's June 3, 1924, edition (p. 15) but the one of the teams was misidentified. TPL-3200

Baseball--Tacoma--1920-1930; Baseball players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Lincoln Bowl (Tacoma); Sports spectators--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The Cammarano baseball team poses for a group picture on May 1, 1930. The Cammarano Bros., sponsors of the team, were bottlers of beer and carbonated beverages. Photographed at the start of the 1930 baseball season, the Cammaranos joined other company or union sponsored teams. Baseball in Tacoma was heavily followed; the local newspapers often gave more coverage to homebased teams than the national big leaguers. Making his managerial debut was third baseman Al Greco, believed to be the third from left in back row. He would face off against former teammate Sammy Cappa, manager of the Kay Street team, in the May 1, 1930, doubleheader at Lincoln Bowl. The Cammarano Bros. would be shut out by the Kay Streeters, 4-0. (TDL 5-2-30, p. 8) TPL-10070; G53.1-008

Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma); Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lincoln Bowl (Tacoma);

Firemen's Union #31, victors in the B Division Industrial League Championship in 1930, pose in front of a fire truck in May of 1931. Four trophies are displayed along with crossed baseball bats and a glove, flanked by team mascot Bud Christensen (left) and bat boy Bill Frazier. The Firemen opened up the 1931 baseball season with an exhibition game at Lincoln Bowl on May 9th against Shaffer Box, defending City Champs. Shaffer Box had defeated the Firemen in a bitterly contested game for the city title; this rematch would pit the same teams with the same result, another Shaffer Box victory. Team members of the Firemen were listed in the Daily Ledger as: Back row: Glen Lawson, Hank Hubert, H. Larson, K. Larson, Al St. Pierre, Walt Christensen, Al Pentecost. Middle row: Property man Harry Frazier, coach Bobby Vaughn, George Sharrick, H. Wiengard, Det Ketler, George Dague, Ed Burk, manager Emory Whitaker. Mgr. Whitaker would later become Tacoma's Fire Chief from 1932-1944. (TDL 5-6-31, p. 10, 5-8-31, p. 10, 5-10-31, B-1) TPL-450

Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma; Awards; Uniforms; Whitaker, Emory; Vaughn, Bobby;

To boost company morale and foster an air of camaraderie, local businesses often sponsored recreational league sports teams. The three "Bs" were popular in the 1930s - bowling, basketball and baseball. Here the Northern Pacific Railway baseball team posed for a group picture on May 7, 1931, which included coaches, ball boy, and a banner with "Yellowstone Park Line" under the Northern Pacific heading. This team participated in the Industrial League. Carl Lewis Dakin has been identified as the player seated third from the right who is holding onto the team banner. See Boland B23725 for a similar photograph of the team. G53.1-019 (Identification provided by a reader)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Banners; Signs (Notices); Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Dakin, Carl Lewis;

Copy of customer's print. Ben Cheney, baseball aficionado, with San Francisco Giants catcher, Tom Haller, during 1963 spring training in Tucson, Arizona. Cheney is wearing a San Francisco Giants uniform while Haller sports his catcher's protective gear. Ben Cheney at that time was the owner of the Tacoma Giants, minor league club affiliate of the S.F. Giants. He enjoyed going to the Big League's spring training in Arizona. Tom Haller would play in the Big Leagues for 12 years, be an All-Star, and later return to the San Francisco Giants as a coach and executive. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Baseball players--Arizona--1960-1970; Haller, Tom, 1937-2004; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; San Francisco Giants (San Francisco);

Group pictures of the Richards sponsored baseball team were taken on August 6, 1951. The twelve member team looks ready to play; the boys seated in the first row are all grasping bats or gloves while a pile of equipment including shin guards and a catchers mask are placed before them.

Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sporting goods; Group portraits--1950-1960; Boys--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In June of 1955, while a member of the Washington Cheney Studs, Luther Carr demonstrated his bunting technique for the camera. Luther Carr played for Lincoln High School and had aroused the interest of several major colleges and professional teams. He played baseball, football, basketball and competed in track. An all around athlete, Carr in May of 1955 broke the state prep broadjump record that had stood since 1938. His jump was 23 feet, 9 5/8 inches. Carr turned down many professional sports offers after high school, choosing instead a college sports scholarship with the University of Washington Huskies. While a Husky, Luther scored on some of the most dazzling runs ever seen in Husky Stadium. The Studs, an amateur team made up of the most talented baseball players in the Puget Sound area, played 60 games during the summer of 1955 including several against professional players. (TNT 5/1/1955, pg. B-14)

Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseballs; African American baseball players; Carr, Luther; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma);