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;
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)
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 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)
