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);

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;

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;

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;

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;

Professional quarterback Joe Willie Namath made a February, 1969, stop at the Stanley Shoe store soon after leading the New York Jets to victory over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. The Jets were the first American Football league team to defeat their National League counterpart in the Super Bowl. "Broadway Joe" was in town as the featured guest of the 10th annual Washington State Sports Hall of Fame gathering on February 17, 1969. The sold-out event was held at the newly completed Tacoma Mall Theatre where celebrities Namath, San Diego Chargers quarterback John Hadl, actor Hugh O'Brian, Oregon State coach Dee Andros and Olympic swimmer Kaye Hall mingled with hundreds of admirers and autograph seekers. Examining the construction of the dress shoe is believed to be John Hadl, San Diego Chargers and former Kansas collegiate star, who was also invited to the Tacoma Athletic Commission-sponsored event. Mr. Hadl would eventually spend 16 years in the NFL, most of them with San Diego, and be elected to the Pro Bowl six times. Also pictured in discussion with the football stars is Joe Macaluso of Stanley Shoes. ALBUM 9. (TNT 2-17-69, p. 10, 2-18-69, p. 1, 14) TPL-8708

Namath, Joe; Football players--New York; Macaluso, Joe; Shoes;

A newly grown-in Fu Manchu mustache in place in February, 1969, professional quarterback Joe Willie Namath seems to be in earnest discussion with Joe Macaluso over which shoes to purchase at a Stanley's Shoe store soon after leading the New York Jets to Super Bowl victory. The Jets upset the National League's Baltimore Colts 16-7 and were the first American Football League team victors in this annual clash. Namath and actor Hugh O'Brian were the featured guests at the Washington State Sports Hall of Fame show sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission held on February 17, 1969. Holding a dress shoe is believed to be San Diego Chargers quarterback John Hadl, right, who also was a guest at the T.A.C. function. ALBUM 9.

Namath, Joe; Football players--New York; Macaluso, Joe; Shoes;

Thanks to the generosity of lumber magnate Ben Cheney, thousands of local youth were able to participate in group sports. The football team above, composed of 12-year-olds, was just one of the many outfitted by Mr. Cheney's sponsorship. Spaulding helmets, bright red jerseys, and white pants, were issued to team members. The two men in the October 26, 1969, group portrait were probably the team's coaches. Color photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Football players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Football--Tacoma--1960-1970; Footballs; Uniforms; Helmets;

Cheney Studs. Group portrait of the Cheney Studs, Pee Wee division, taken at the South End Boys Club on November 8, 1970. Sponsored by lumberman Ben Cheney, these 12-year-olds are dressed to play - complete with numbered uniforms and helmets. Standing with the boys are their coaches, including F. Jenkins. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber.

Football--Tacoma--1970-1980; Football players--Tacoma--1970-1980; Uniforms;

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;

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.

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)

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;

ca. 1914. Jim Parsons' #7 Frantz race car is parked in the pit area of the Tacoma Speedway circa 1914 while a vehicle carrying a load of tires slowly backs in front of it. Other tires have already been unloaded and are piled upright nearby. The grandstands are nearly empty indicating this may have been practice time at the Speedway instead of the actual July races. Jim Parsons, from Seattle, would go on to win the InterCity 100 race three consecutive years, 1913-1915, allowing him to keep the perpetual challenge trophy. TPL-4424

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Frantz automobile; Tires; Grandstands--Lakewood;

ca. 1915. Although photographer Marvin Boland has labeled the driver as "Earl Cooper" in his "Stutz," and the condition of the Tacoma Speedway board track identifies it as being post-1913 (the last year of the dirt track), it is not certain that this was a race during the 1915 Montamara Festo. In 1915 Mr. Cooper came in a close second during the Montamarathon on July 4th, as he attempted to win the big 250-mile race for the third consecutive year. He did run a Stutz in that year but it was the #8, not the #4 shown above. He earned $1500 for second place, sandwiched between the winner, Grover Ruckstell and Mr. Ruckstell's Mercer racing partner, Eddie Pullen, who came in third. TPL-4423

Cooper, Earl; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Stutz automobile;

Encouraged by 16,000 screaming racecar fans, three cars rush to the finish line in the "Golden Potlatch," one of two races run on July 5th, 1913 at the Tacoma Speedway. The race was 200 miles, 58 laps of 3.516 miles each, run on a dirt track and open to Class "E" non-stock cars with a winner's purse of $3,500. Earl Cooper and his white Stutz won the race in 1913 after "Terrible Teddie" Tetzlaff dropped from the lead with a broken cam shaft. Cooper's time was 2:49:32. 1913 was a victorious year for Cooper; he won 7 of 8 major road races and claimed his first national championship. The Tacoma Speedway racetrack had opened in July of 1912, financed by a group of Tacoma businessmen led by Arthur Pritchard, President of the Tacoma Automobile Association. During its years of operation, 1912-1922, most of racing's greats sped around the track, which was rated one of the three best in the United States. TPL-5481, Speedway Glass- 020 (TDL 7/6/1913, pg. 1, www.historylink.org, www.hickoksports.com)

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

Tacoma to Seattle in 30 minutes and 55 seconds! Harry Barsamian, shop foreman of the Pacific Car Company, with mechanic Victor Williams, completed the feat in a stock Overland 90 Touring Car, driving from Tacoma city limits to the Seattle city limits. On June 19, 1919, Barsamian started from Sitcum Avenue on the Tacoma tideflats. The two men clipped down the rugged dirt Highline Road through Northeast Tacoma and onto Des Moines where they hit pavement and finished with a smooth ride to Seattle in record-breaking time. (TDL 6/22/1919, p. 8C). G11.1-073

Barsamian, Harry; Automobiles--Tacoma--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Tacoma--1910-1920;

ca. 1920. Map of the Tacoma Speedway from about 1920 showing, in detail, the layout of the track and stands. Note that the prices for tickets to sit in the stands are listed. Seats in the open stands were $2.50 or $3.00 plus tax. Seats in the covered stands were $3.50 to $6.00 plus tax. In March of 1920, an arson occurred at the track, forcing massive reconstruction of the grandstands. All improvements would be in place in time for the 1920 225 mile classic, the biggest race in Tacoma's racing history. The Indy had placed a requirement that all top finishers compete in Tacoma and crowds turned out to see them. The new grandstands could seat 16,000, with 960 feet of the stands covered. There was room for 10,000 cars to park in the center of the 2 mile track and a tunnel for spectators to cross under the track to the stands. The new entries allowed cars to enter two abreast and they could cross a bridge from the main entrance into the center parking, even with the race in progress. Other improvements included fences, the pits, a water tower and a renewed track. The race would be 225 miles with a purse of $22,500, to be divided into seven prizes. Over 40,000 fans turned out to watch the race. Speedway-053 (TDL 6/20/20, pg. 1-C; 6/27/1920, pg. 1)

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

ca. 1920. Race car driver Joe Boyer and his riding mechanic posed in Boyer's Frontenac on an unidentified brick track in 1920. Boyer had led the pack in the 1920 Indianapolis 500 for the first 250 miles and then hit a brick wall, taking him out of the race. His Frontenac was the topic of much conversation, since the vehicle designed by the Chevrolet brothers had made its first appearance in the Indy. Boyer, a young millionaire from Chicago, would later compete in the July 5th 1920 Tacoma Classic. He was out of the race in the 97th lap. In 1924, Boyer was co-winner of the Indianapolis 500 replacing LL Corum during the race. Boyer was killed later that year in a crash at the Altoona Speedway. (TDL 6/27/1920, pg. B-2) Speedway 013

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing drivers; Boyer, Joe;

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;