This South End Boys Club baseball team was sponsored by Stamey Insurance. Mr. and Mrs. Stamey and two additional coaches, Chris Matz and Dick Palamidessi, posed with the players in the summer of 1958. They played in the Junior League of Metro Park's baseball program. This was believed to be the original group portrait; see C116559-1 for touched-up version when three boys, who were probably missing the day of the photograph, had their pictures cut and pasted into the group shot. From L-R in the front row: Curtis Stamey, Dennis Waltier, Frank Hahn, Allen Burmester, Russ Fagering and Mike Endicott. In the back row, L-R: Chris Matz, Dick Palamidessi, Chris Schmidt, Bob Gagnon, Darrell Matz, Bruce Nichols and Mr. and Mrs. Stamey. Photograph ordered by Harold Stamey.

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

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);

ca. 1928. A copy of this photograph was ordered in October of 1958 by the Cheney Lumber Co. In the photograph, the members of the "Decimo Club" posed in their basketball uniforms. It appears to date from around 1928; the "Decimo" Club participated in the City League basketball league that year. The player holding the basketball in the front row is believed to be Ben Cheney. In 1924, Mr. Cheney arrived in Tacoma from South Bend at the age of 19. He loved sports and participated in several, including basketball. He drew a cartoon for his 1920 South Bend High School yearbook of himself dreaming of basketball glory, but at 5'8" tall he did not play varsity basketball. His true skill was in business. In 1936, he bought his first lumber mill and began building the empire that became the internationally known Cheney Lumber Co. He donated generously to allow local children to have the opportunity to participate in sports. Ben Cheney died in 1971. (The Ben Cheney Story by Med Nicholson, The Sou'wester, Fall 2000)

Basketball players--Tacoma;

ca. 1960. Customer's print. Ben Cheney, standing far left, proudly poses with his Cheney Studs, World's Amateur Champions for 1960. The baseball team was awarded the Quaker Oats trophy for a 50-game winning season. Each member, including the batboy, holds a miniature version of the trophy. The Studs, Seattle division, defeated Detroit 3-1 in Battle Creek, Michigan, on Tacoman Earl Hyder's home run , to capture the national American Amateur Baseball Congress title on September 21, 1960. (TNT 9-22-60, D-6)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Awards; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971;

Tacoma Giants owner Ben Cheney with future Hall of Famer Willie Mays during a late March, 1963, spring training visit to the Tacoma team's parent club, the San Francisco Giants. The Big League Giants played spring ball in Arizona. The Tacoma team also took their spring training in Arizona in the Casa Grande area. This photograph may have been taken on March 27, 1963, as Mr. Cheney's team took on their Big Brothers in a thrilling slugfest. The Tacoma Giants staged a 7-run rally in the ninth inning to edge the parent San Francisco Giants 10-9. Mr. Cheney put on a suit and served as first base coach for the Big Club for a couple of innings. He was reportedly in a state of exultation over "his" team's victory. ALBUM 9. (TNT 3-28-63, B-5)

Baseball players--Arizona--1960-1970; Mays, Willie, 1931-; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; San Francisco Giants (San Francisco);

Same as C137871-1 without Studs logo in upper left corner. Local lumberman and philanthropist Ben Cheney has donned a Giants uniform; he is standing next to baseball star Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants. Mr. Cheney had journeyed to Arizona in March, 1963, and was present during the Giants' spring training. He was the owner of the Tacoma Giants, minor league affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. The picture with Willie Mays may have been taken in late March, 1963, when the two teams played an exhibition game. Mr. Cheney was permitted to act as first base coach for the Big League team for a couple innings. The minor league Tacoma Giants swatted their Big Brothers 10-9 with a thrilling come-from-behind ninth inning. ALBUM 9. TPL-1399 (TNT 3-28-63, B-5)

Baseball players--Arizona--1960-1970; Mays, Willie, 1931-; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; San Francisco Giants (San Francisco);

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.;

Tacoma Giants owner Ben Cheney with catcher Tom Haller during a March, 1963, spring training visit to the Tacoma team's parent club, the San Francisco Giants. The S.F. Giants were the defending National League champions and conducted spring training in Arizona. Tom Haller broke in with the S.F. Giants in 1961 and stayed with them through the 1967 season. He then was a Los Angeles Dodger from 1968-1971 before ending his career with the Detroit Tigers in 1972. Statistics indicate that he played a total of 1,294 games during his 12 year career with a batting average of .257. The tall (6'4") Haller was a former quarterback for the University of Illinois. ALBUM 9.

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

ca. 1964. Compilation of articles on the Cheney Studs Courteers; copy made from customer's negative. These Tacoma youngsters, sponsored by lumberman Ben Cheney, were roving basketball ambassadors in the 1960's. Aged 11-15, and small in built, they were known for their basketball wizardry, especially their precision dribbling. George Brown and Ricky Stewart were two boys highlighted in the Medford, Oregon and Tacoma News Tribune's articles. There were also group pictures of the Courteers, including one where they are dressed in suit and tie, clutching small trophies. Photograph ordered on May 4, 1967, by Cheney Lumber Co.

Basketball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Basketball players--Tacoma--1960-1970;

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);

This photographic copy of a photograph shows the Tacoma Electrochemical Company's baseball team, 1934 Commercial League Champions, even though some of the players are wearing shirts with other company names such as the player second from the left, front row,and the player behind him with the name "Cammarano" on their shirts. The names of the players have been added to the photograph: L-R, back row, Oscar Larson, Bill Otto, Charles Cooper, Vic Krause, Harold Larson, Kordial Larson, and L. Hodge, Sec-Treas, Commercial League; front row, Otto Larson, Henry Thaut, Orlin Krembill, Dave Williams, president, Commercial League, E.C. Mace, team manager, Vic Hauglund, Jerry Cecchi, and Lisle Zodtner. Tacoma Electrochemical Company became a part of Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company of Washington.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1935. Alt Heidelberg football team at play. They are playing on a field with wooden bleachers and fence in background. Neighborhood buildings and a church steeple are in view. Alt Heidelberg was the name of a brew manufactured by Columbia Breweries in Tacoma and many of the company sponsored teams sported that name.

Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Football players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

ca. 1935. Alt Heidelberg football team at play. Wooden bleachers and fence are in the background. Neighborhood buildings and a church steeple are in view. Alt Heidelberg was a beer manufactured at Columbia Breweries in Tacoma.

Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Football players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

Washington Hardware Juniors Baseball team. By the middle of July of 1940, the eleven teams of the Junior League were going into the second half of their playoffs with Washington Hardware near the top with 2 wins and no losses. (T.Times 7/16/40, pg. 11)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma);

Diamond T Baseball (boys) Team. In July of 1940, at the commencement of the second half of the Junior League games, Diamond T was in the basement of the standings with no wins and 2 losses. (T. Times 7/16/1940, pg.11)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Interiors of the Lakewood Ice Arena. An instructor ties his skates surrounded by smiling young students. Although the home of several competitive skaters, the rink also offered affordable lessons to children and adults at all skating levels from beginners on up. Public free skating time was also available and if you didn't own your own skates, they could be rented. ("History of Figure Skating in Pierce County, Lakewood Arena")

Ice skating--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Lakewood Figure Skating Club (Lakewood); Ice skating rinks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exteriors of the Lakewood Ice Arena. Perched on the shores of Steilacoom Lake, the facility had once been the ballroom for the Oakes Pavilion, which also offered a water stadium for competitive swimming where the tryouts for the American Olympic team were held in the mid twenties. After a brief stint as the Towers, a nightclub, the frame building was purchased by developer Norton Clapp in 1936. In 1938, at the urging of his wife who was a fan of ice skating, the building was remodeled into the Lakewood Ice Arena. The lake area around the club was still available for summer swimming and the Figure Skating Club even kept a dock and float available for members. The Arena was demolished in 1982 and replaced by lakeshore condominiums. ("History of Figure Skating in Pierce County, Lakewood Arena") TPL-5672

Ice skating--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Lakewood Figure Skating Club (Lakewood); Ice skating rinks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lake Steilacoom (Wash.);

Interiors Lakewood Ice Arena. Several young skaters and what appear to be instructors watch while a more experienced skater makes a graceful curve on a thin blade of steel. The building formerly known as the Oakes Ballroom and briefly as the Towers was purchased by developer Norton Clapp, future Weyerhaeuser chairman, in 1936 and converted into the Ice Arena in 1938. The building was remodeled to resemble a Swiss chalet with murals on the walls and a draped ceiling approximating clouds. The Lakewood Figure Skating Club at the Ice Arena produced many champions through the years. The building itself however went through some trying times. In 1948, the roof collapsed and the building had to be restored. There was a major remodel in 1959 and in 1974 a temporary closure by the fire marshalls. In October of 1982, the roof caved in once more, forcing the demolition of the historic building. ("History of Figure Skating in Pierce County, Lakewood Arena")

Ice skating--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Lakewood Figure Skating Club (Lakewood); Ice skating rinks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of the Lakewood Ice Arena. Lakewood industrialist Norton Clapp purchased the old Oakes dance pavilion on the shores of Steilacoom Lake in 1936, largely due to his wife's interest in ice skating. After two years as a private party place, it was remodeled to resemble a Swiss mountain chalet and opened to the public in 1938. It had parking space for 500, an attractive glass enclosed "Wirtschaft" (snack bar) and spectator seating for 600. The opening crowds were so large that the opening went on for 2 days. Over the years, the Lakewood Ice Arena became known as the "Home of Champions" due to the large number of world class figure skaters that its club produced. In 1974, the building was closed temporarily as a fire hazard. On Oct 1, 1982, the roof and the west wall collapsed; a few months later the building was demolished. ("History of Figure Skating in Pierce County, Lakewood Arena") TPL-9322

Ice skating--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Lakewood Figure Skating Club (Lakewood); Ice skating rinks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1935. Naubert's baseball team. Eleven baseball players and bat boy posed for team portrait at baseball field.

Sports - Ball Games - Baseball - Team Portraits

Tacoma Public Works Commissioner Abner Bergersen presents a watch to a Tacoma Tigers baseball player and manager Eddie Taylor. Other Tigers and members of the opposing team, the Vancouver Maple Leaf, are lined-up behind them. Wooden baseball grandstand in the background. Taylor is being awarded the watch for hitting the first homer of the season, in the opening game with the Vancouver Maple Leafs. (T. Times 5/3/1937, pg. 11)

Bergersen, Abner R.; Baseball--Tacoma--1930-1940; Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Tigers (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Tacoma Athletic Park (Tacoma); Taylor, Eddie;

On May 2, 1937, Abner Bergersen, Tacoma commissioner of public works, presented a gold watch to Tacoma Tigers player-manager Eddie Taylor for hitting the first home run by a Tiger for the 1937 season. Besides managing the team, Taylor was also the teams regular 2nd baseman. After the presentation, the Tigers went on to split a double header against Vancouver in front of 4,000 cheering fans. They won the first game 3 to 1, but lost the second 10 to 5. Tacoma lost the four game series 3 games to 1. (T. Times 5/3/1937, pg. 11)

Bergersen, Abner R.; Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Tigers (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Tacoma Athletic Park (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Four determined players on the Bellermine Bells football team practiced a "quarterback sneak" in September of 1940. The players are identified as (l to r, front row) #61 Jim McNertney, #62 George Oswald, #63 Ray O'Leary and #60 Bing Fournier, quarterback. The 1940 Bells, coached by Hank Haug, were plagued by injuries and had lost many of their 1939 star players to graduation. They managed to pull off a 6-6 tie against the heavily favored Puyallup in their first game of the season. (T. Times 9/25/1940, pg. 18)

Football--Tacoma; Football players--Tacoma; Private schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma)--Sports; O'Leary, Ray; McNertney, Jim; Oswald, George; Fournier, Bing;

Eddie Taylor, second baseman and manager of the 1937 Tacoma Tigers baseball team, connected for a double in his first at bat against Vancouver in the second game of a double header on Sunday May 2, 1937. He was the first batter in the first inning of the second game against the Vancouver Maple Leafs. The wooden stadium at 1302 South Sprague Avenue was filled with a capacity crowd. The Tigers won the first game 3-1, but lost the second 10-5. (T. Times 5/3/1937, pg. 11)

Baseball--Tacoma--1930-1940; Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Tigers (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Tacoma Athletic Park (Tacoma); Taylor, Eddie;

The 1937 season opener, a double header between the Tacoma Tigers and the Vancouver Maple Leaf. Distant view of baseball teams in play. Stadium in background is filled with capacity crowd of around 4,000 spectators. Tacoma split the double header, but lost the four game series 3-1.

Baseball--Tacoma--1930-1940; Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Tigers (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Tacoma Athletic Park (Tacoma);

Close-up of spectators in stands at the 1937 season opener for the Tacoma Tigers baseball team. This group was part of the 4,000 fans that crammed into Tacoma Athletic Park to watch the Tigers split the double header with the Vancouver Maple Leaf. (T. Times 5/3/1937, pg. 11)

Baseball--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Tigers (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Tacoma Athletic Park (Tacoma); Sports spectators--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The crowd of spectators in the stands at the Tacoma Tigers baseball game appear to be watching a fly ball. It is the season opener of 1937 and the Tigers are playing the Vancouver Maple Leaf. Manager Eddie Taylor leads his team to a 3-1 win in the first game, only to come back and lose the second game 10-5. (T. Times 5/3/1937, pg. 11)

Sports spectators--Tacoma--1930-1940; Baseball--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Tigers (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Tacoma Athletic Park (Tacoma);

One of the Cheney Studs junior league football teams pose in front of the sign for Cheney Field. To the right in the Studs jacket is Ben Cheney, Tacoma lumberman and sports philanthropist, and in front and to his left is his daughter Sandra, in Studs jacket and hat. Ben Cheney donated thousands of dollars for uniforms and equipment to sports teams, enabling youngsters to experience the thrill of sports. He had helped the kids football program get started 6 years prior and had continued to aid the program. By 1956, it had 30 competing teams. The boys wear the familiar "Cheney stud" logo on their uniform shirts; they also wear helmets and pads.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Cheney, Sandra; Cheney Field (Tacoma); Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Football--Tacoma--1950-1960; Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960;

At the annual Cheney Lumber Company football banquet in December of 1956 the boys who played on one of the Cheney Studs football teams that year gathered around a large group photo, trying to find themselves in the picture. In 1956 the Cheney Lumber Co. fielded rookie, bantam, peewee and midget teams in the local leagues. The rookie league was new in 1956 and consisted of boys 11 years old and less than 90 pounds. The Cheney Lumber Co., headed by philanthropist Ben Cheney, poured money into sports for children, enabling many Tacoma area youngsters to experience the fun of sports. Ben Cheney had been instrumental in the founding of the kids football program; by 1956, the program had 30 competing teams.

Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Football--Tacoma--1950-1960; Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960;

People took bowling very seriously in the 1950's. It was a very popular sport, with many companies sponsoring teams in various leagues. Results were often reported in the local newspapers. These five ladies were probably on the women's team sponsored by the Bailey Co., a real estate firm. Madge, Esther, Marge, Nona and Lois all had their names stitched onto their bowling shirts and engraved on their Brunswick balls as well. Photograph ordered by the Bailey Co.

Bowlers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bowling--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bowling balls; Bailey Co. (Tacoma);