At the May 5, 1938 opener of the Tacoma Tigers season, Mayor George Smitley throws out the first ball. Over 6,000 fans turned out to watch the defending champion Tigers meet the team from Yakima. In 1937, organized baseball had returned to Tacoma after a 15 year absence.
Baseball--Tacoma--1930-1940; Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Tigers (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Tacoma Athletic Park (Tacoma); Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Three boys relax and clown, ready for the 1938 Tacoma Tigers season opening game. In 1937, organized baseball had returned to Tacoma after a 15 year absence. Over 6,000 fans poured into the stands to support their local 1937 Western International League champions, the Tacoma Tigers.
Baseball--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Athletic Park (Tacoma);
The May 5, 1938 hometown debut of the Tacoma Tigers at the Tacoma Athletic Park. A record capacity crowd of 6,000 fans crams into the bleachers, spilling out onto the infield. Despite all of the enthusiasm, the Tigers, defending champions, lost to Yakima 8 to 7.
Baseball--Tacoma--1930-1940; Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Tigers (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Tacoma Athletic Park (Tacoma);
This was Lincoln High School's baseball team in 1938. The photograph is identical to A7195, image 1, except for the omission of printed school identification. 15 boys are in uniform, supplemented by two student managers with letterman sweaters and coach Eddie Schwarz. Coach Schwarz would lead his team in battle against the Stadium Tigers on April 21st where Stadium would defeat Lincoln 10-6 at Athletic Park. (T.Times 4-21-38, p. 15-names of team members listed)
Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Baseball--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Schwarz, Ed;
Cammarano Beverages "Special Delivery" truck in front of Firestone Auto Supply and Service Store. For Davis Motor Company, Diamond T Trucks. (date on photograph may be 03-12-1937) (filed with Argentum)
Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma); Firestone Auto Supply & Service Store (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Davis Motor Truck Company (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Diamond T trucks;
ca. 1937. City League Baseball Team in uniforms standing in front of bleachers, ca. 1937. According to Richards Studio notes, the team represented Naubert's. Naubert's Recreation is listed in the 1937 City Directory as a billiard hall at 945 Commerce, managed by Frank C. Naubert. (filed with Argentum) same group pictured in series D101 image 1.
ca. 1937. City League Baseball Team in casual clothes, batboy in front, circa 1937. Team is listed in Richards Studio notes as the Peninsula Baseball Team from Long Branch. (filed with Argentum)
ca. 1937. Russell (Russ) H. Michael's Service Station baseball team; the 1937 Twilight League Baseball Champions. The players wear long sleeved shirts that say "Russ Michael's Service, 38th & M." The man in the bow tie is Russ Michael, the owner of the service station. In the 1930's, baseball was the true American sport and most Americans played. City leagues were numerous and many businesses sponsored a team. (Michael's identification supplied by a family member)
Russ Michael's Service (Tacoma); Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Michael, Russell H.;
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. 1937. Sales Grange baseball team in front of their sponsor's storefront, Saxton Lumber Co., 6030 South Tacoma Way. The team is believed to be from Parkland and competed in the City League Baseball group. Saxton Lumber Co. was owned by Malcolm N. Saxton. (filed with Argentum)
City League baseball, circa June of 1937. Man sitting at desk in fenced booth, per Richards Studio notes "Mr. Goldwater behind wire." (filed with Argentum)
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)
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;
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)
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)
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);
Tacoma City League's first baseball game of the season. Daffodil Queen Helen Edgerton of Puyallup (second woman from left) and her court are posed with ball players from the Superior Dairy team. The men's uniforms have a milk bottle emblem with initials "S.D." on them. Bleachers at Lincoln High School filled with capacity crowd. The two top finishers in 1935 are playing the season opener; champs Beacon Oilers versus second place Superior Dairy. (T.Times 4/27/1936, pg. 1)
Baseball--Tacoma--1930-1940; Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1930-1940; Edgerton, Helen; Uniforms;
The 1936 Daffodil Queen, Helen Edgerton of Puyallup, and her court were present at the Tacoma City League's opening day of the baseball season. The bleachers at Lincoln High School were packed with spectators eager to watch the two top finishers of the previous year, the champion Beacon Oilers and second place Superior Dairy, in action. Flanking the young ladies were Gov. Clarence D. Martin at far right and Tacoma Mayor George A. Smitley at left. Queen Helen is third from right.
Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Governors; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1930-1940; Edgerton, Helen; Baseball--Tacoma--1930-1940; Crowds; Lincoln High School (Tacoma);
Young Bobby Levin made it to the front page of the Bremerton Sun on April 24, 1937 as the city prepared for the opening day of baseball season at their new park. Young master Levin, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy J. Levin, was all set for the season opener with his full sized bat and oversized glove. The city would be inaugurating their new $45,000 athletic park at the foot of Warren Ave. on the 25th with a game between the Bremerton Cruisers and the Bellingham Boosters. (Bremerton Sun 04-24-1937, pg. 1).
ca. 1935. Superior Dairy's baseball team, City League Champions 1935. The team posed with their bat boy. Their uniforms had the emblem of a milk bottle filled with the initials S.D. (WSHS)
Baseball--Tacoma--1930-1940; Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Superior Dairy (Tacoma);
