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;

View of head table at banquet. Governor Albert Rosellini was one of the honored guests at the 1963 Washington State Sports Hall of Fame awards banquet on February 6, 1963. The Sports Hall of Fame had been established by the Tacoma Athletic Commission by one of its founders, Clay Huntington, in 1960. Each year a number of candidates are nominated to be voted upon by top sportswriters and sportscasters from throughout the state. Those elected are recognized for their outstanding sports accomplishments and honor they have brought to themselves and the State of Washington. At the head table above in this 1963 photograph are also local lumberman and philanthropist Ben Cheney (seated second to left) and All-star shortstop, Maury Wills (next to Gov. Rosellini). Five men were elected to the Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Hall of Fame: Don Paul, George Wise, Frank Gillihan, Jack Walters and Jack Connor. Those honorees are believed to be standing in the above picture behind the head table; names not necessarily in order. (TNT 2-7-63, C-7) (www.washingtonsportshalloffame.com/index2.htm)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Awards; Washington State Sports Hall of Fame (Tacoma); Rosellini, Albert D.; Wills, Maury; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971;

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;

Publicity photo for the Fircrest Golf Club, ordered by the Tacoma News Tribune society pages. Five committee members pose in oriental garb advertising a night of "Mandarin Mischief", a dinner with an oriental theme followed by dancing and games. Photograph taken at the home of Arla (Mrs. Gordon) Rohrs at 707 Alta Vista Place, Fircrest. The committee members are, left to right, Arla Rohrs, Edith (Mrs. Harold) Tollefson, Mrs. Gordon Dowling, Alice (Mrs. John) Tollefson and Irene (Mrs. Elmer) Alskog. (TNT 10/11/1959, pg. D-5)

Fircrest Golf Club (Fircrest); Rohrs, Arla--Homes & haunts; Rohrs, Arla; Tollefson, Edith; Tollefson, Alice; Alskog, Irene;

Douglas Fir Plywood Association conducted its 22nd annual meeting in June, 1958. Members met in Gearhart, Oregon, and enjoyed playing in a golf tournament. Four golfers appear to be adhering to the sign, "Please replace divots," as they examine a chunk of displaced grass. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Golf--Oregon--Gearhart; Golfers--Oregon--Gearhart; Signs (Notices); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

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;

Exterior bowling alley. The new Sky Lane Bowling center in Seattle was newly opened for business in October, 1955. Owners provided a long covered walkway leading to the entrance of the bowling alley so that customers could be protected from the region's elements. The familiar semi-curved roofline probably signified to passersby that a bowling alley was contained within. The bowling center was owned by Western Bowling Managers Inc. It had ample parking for customers and also a fine restaurant, owned by Mrs. Kena Jensen and Mrs. Eva Harris. Photograph ordered by Sky Lane Bowl.

Bowling alleys--Seattle; Sky Lane Bowl (Seattle);

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;

Members of the Cheney Studs Courteers basketball troupe share a laugh at practice on the floor of the Western State Hospital gym on December 2, 1967. The smallest member on the right deftly dribbles his ball without sparing a glance downwards. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Basketball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Basketball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Balls (Sporting goods);

Changing of the guard at the T.A.C. The presidential gravel exchanges hands on January 4, 1968, as new officers of the Tacoma Athletic Commission are announced. Stan Naccarato, seated left, accepts the gravel from outgoing president Tom Cross while Howie Krewson looks on. Standing and observing are : (L-R) Treasurer Joe Macaluso, Secretary Robert Nelsen, Third v.p. - Bill Rohrs and Second v.p., Hal Brotman. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-7-68, B15)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Naccarato, Stan; Cross, Tom; Krewson, Howard; Macaluso, Joe; Nelsen, Robert; Rohrs, Bill; Brotman, Hal;

For many years the Tacoma Athletic Commission sponsored a Fourth of July show featuring elaborate fireworks. George P. Sheridan, chairman, and Howard Krewson, ticket chairman, pose with three children and a variety of fireworks on a grassy lot on July 1, 1965. Cecelia Harris rides bareback on a small pony while Denise Michael is perched on a Schwinn bicycle. Patricia Harris holds an enormous firecracker. The bicycle and pony would be given away during the gigantic fireworks show at the Stadium Bowl on Monday, July 5th. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 7-2-65, p. 1)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Children & adults; Sheridan, George P.; Krewson, Howard; Harris, Cecelia; Michael, Denise; Harris, Patricia; Ponies; Bicycles & tricycles; Fireworks--1960-1970;

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;

Ten boys wear the uniforms marking them as "Cheney Studs" as they pose in the Wilson High School gym on February 22, 1969. The beaming man standing next to the team is presumably their coach. Thanks to Ben Cheney's generosity, thousands of area youngsters were able to participate in amateur team sports. Color photograph ordered by the Cheney Lumber Co.

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

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;

Half-brothers Sugar Ray Seales (l) and Dale Grant (r) assume a typical boxing pose in this October, 1973, studio portrait. Tacoma was well represented at the 1972 Olympic games by Mr. Seales who would become the sole American boxing gold medal winner. His younger brother, Dale Grant, also was a notable local boxer who was named the US Amateur Boxer of the Year in '72 for his outstanding record. Mr. Seales was born in the Virgin Islands in 1952 while his father was stationed at an Army post there. He became involved in the Tacoma Boys Club in Tacoma after moving here in 1965 and was coached for many years by Joe Clough. Mr. Clough would resign as Mr. Seales' manager in May of 1973 after his first seven victories as a professional. Bill Dickson would then manage Mr. Seales. Photograph ordered by Larry Morris.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Seales, Ray; Grant, Dale; Families--Tacoma--1970-1980;

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;

University of Washington quarterback extraordinaire Sonny Sixkiller visited Tacoma Athletic Commission headquarters, 735 Commerce St., on December 3, 1970. The T.A.C. official standing next to Mr. Sixkiller has not been identified. A sophomore from Ashland, Oregon, Mr. Sixkiller was a full blooded Cherokee. Never highly recruited by Oregon schools because of his (then) size, Mr. Sixkiller would finish his season as the country's #1 passer. His teammates, Rank Baty, Ace Bulger and Rick Huget (pictured in D159368, image 8) accompanied him to Tacoma. The UW rebounded from a dismal 1-9 record the year before to finish at 6-4, including a crushing 61-20 defeat of the UCLA Bruins. Mr. Sixkiller's passing became the Dawgs' chief offensive weapon. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 12-8-70, p. 16 - article)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Sixkiller, Sonny;

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);

Studio portrait of a boxer. This young man in stocking feet is poised to make a run in the annual Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament coming up in early February of 1979 at the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. The tournament had been sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission since 1949. A close-up of the boxer is D169239, image 5. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission.

Boxing--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

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);

These six unidentified golfers were just a fraction of the participants in the Northwest Pro-Presidents golf tournament held at the Tacoma Country & Golf Club on April 28, 1972. Western Washington golf professionals and club presidents teed off in twosomes at the one-day tournament. In 1972 the Northwest Pro-Presidents golf tournament was subdivided into three parts; each of the three branches of the northwest section of the PGA would have its own tournament. Host pro Gerry Mehlert had the best round of the day -69. Color photograph ordered by Gerry Mehlert. (TNT 4-27-72, C-11 -article; TNT 4-29-72, p. 10- article)

Golf--Tacoma--1970-1980; Golfers--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma)--1970-1980;

46 twosomes teed off at the Northwest Pro-Presidents golf tournament held at the Tacoma Country & Golf Club on April 28, 1972. The participants for the one-day tournament were drawn from Western Washington professionals and club presidents. Bob Lundgaard, president of the Olympia Country Club and pro Rick Adell combined for a winning score of 10-under par. Color photograph ordered by Gerry Mehlert. (TNT 4-27-72, C-11- article; TNT 4-29-72, p. 10- article)

Golf--Tacoma--1970-1980; Golfers--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma)--1970-1980;

15-year-old Alexina Slater, in cap and swimsuit, was the only female entrant in the first organized channel swim from the Tahlequah Ferry Terminal on Vashon Island to Point Defiance held on September 26, 1926. She finished fourth with a time of 1 hr. 20 minutes, outracing nine other swimmers. The Stadium High School student was only 18 minutes behind Gerhard Bahr's winning time of 1 hr. 2 minutes. While Bahr received the roars befitting the champion, Miss Slater was also heavily applauded by the crowd of 10,000. Her picture appeared on the front page of the News Tribune and the headline actually read " Girl Given Cheer as She Swims Point Defiance Channel." Miss Slater, of 5517 N. 45th St., began swimming at age 4 under the direction of her father. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 9-26-26, p. 1, TNT 9-27-26, p. 1)

Alexina Slater, showing the vitality of youth, shrugs off her grueling 2-mile swim across the Point Defiance channel and dances the Charleston in front of a movie camera on September 26, 1926. The 15-year-old Stadium High School student was the only female entry in the race from Talequah to Point Defiance but she outswam nine others to finish fourth. Her time of 1 hr. 20 minutes was only 18 minutes slower than the winner, Gerhard Bahr. The massive crowd of 10,000 heartily cheered and applauded her efforts. Miss Slater, of 5517 N. 45th St., was presented a trophy from Mahncke & Co. in honor of her accomplishment. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 9-26-26, p. 1, TNT 9-27-26, p. 1)

Bowling has long been popular in Tacoma, producing such greats as Earl Anthony. The Tryfon Hatters bowled for John Tryfon whose hat store was located at 944 1/2 Commerce Street beginning in 1921. Greek-born Tryfon, affectionately known as "the Madhatter of Commerce Street", retired in 1973.

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.

On July 4th, 1919, the Tacoma Speedway was packed with 35,000 racing fanatics for the annual races. The Speedway was one of two "Class A" racing locations in the United States, the other being Indianapolis. It was also a favorite of the drivers because of the abundant recreation opportunities of the area. Three races would be held on this day, 40 miles, 60 miles and 80 miles. By 1919, the track was 2 miles round and 50 feet wide, an adjustment done in 1914, and covered with 2 x 4 Washington fir planks laid end to end with gravel and sand filling the gaps and barrels of Richmond road oil applied hot to the surface. Indianapolis had shut down due to World War I and all the greats came to Tacoma. The five drivers surviving after the trials were Louis Chevrolet, Dario Resta (both in Tacoma for the first time,) Cliff Durant, Eddie Hearne and Ralph Mulford (in his first Tacoma appearance since 1913.) Eddie Rickenbacker, WW I flying ace and former race car driver, would referee the race. (TDL 7/2/1919, pg. 8-9) (Information on track construction: Standard Oil Bulletin, Vol. 3, circa 1915) Boland B2066, Speedway-025

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Spectators; Grandstands;

The stands look a little empty for the start of the July 3, 1914, InterCity 100-mile race at the Tacoma Speedway. Drivers and their accompanying "mechanicians" are lined up in their race cars two abreast. These included at front: Tacoma driver Jack Croston in car #1, a Chevrolet; #2 -believed to be Barnes in his Romano; #5 -Joe Thomas in his Mercer; #26 - N. Latta of Seattle in his Lozier. This particular race was restricted to cars from Pacific Northwest cities. Total prize money was $1500 with first place winner Jim Parsons getting the lion's share of $750. Mr. Parsons, of Seattle, had won the event for the second straight year. TPL-5697;

Croston, Jack A.; Thomas, Joe; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Chevrolet automobile; Mercer automobile; Lozier automobile; Romano automobile;