Back of Photo:
Peck Field

Back of Photo:
Cheney Stadium
Photograph by Bruce Larson

Members of the Tacoma Athletic Commission demonstrate the fine art of baseball in May of 1964, as they prepare for the second annual city high school Diamond-Go-Round to be held on May 22nd at Cheney Stadium. Wilson, Mount Tahoma, Stadium, Lincoln, and Bellarmine of the City League along with Curtis of the Seamount League will participate at the Go-Round sponsored by the Athletic Commission. All proceeds from the game were to go to the athletic funds of the high schools and Tacoma junior highs. The T.A.C. directors are: Hal Brotman at bat, Bill Larson with ball, and John McCutcheon as catcher with Bill Post, athletic director for Tacoma city schools, as umpire. The outsized Stan Musial glove, made by Rawlings, would seem to guarantee that the likelihood of passed balls would be slight. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 5-20-64, A-12)

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sporting goods; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Brotman, Hal; Larson, William C.; McCutcheon, John; Post, Bill; Baseball umpires--Tacoma;

Seven exuberant Cheney Studs Courteers demonstrated their basketball skills during a session in the Western State Hospital gym on November 5, 1966. The Courteers were a collection of local middle school basketball players sponsored by philanthropist Ben Cheney. They put on fast-paced performances at high school, college and professional half-time shows. This photograph was used by the News Tribune in their March 5, 1967 edition; the Courteers had been invited to perform at the NCAA regional basketball tournament in Corvallis, Oregon, on March 18th. The Courteers were identified as: (foreground) Tim McDonough and Jeff Wilson. In back: Bob Thomsen, Ed Orr, Steve Shamberg, Dennis Franklin and John Yingling. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber. (TNT 3-5-67, C-22)

Basketball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Basketball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Balls (Sporting goods); McDonough, Tim; Wilson, Jeff; Thomsen, Bob; Orr, Ed; Shamberg, Steve; Franklin, Dennis; Yingling, John;

Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champions Joe Louis, second from left, and Max Baer, far right, signed autographs during a special appearance at Tacoma's B&I Circus Store, 8012 South Tacoma Way, on Saturday May 3, 1958. Joining them at the autograph tables were Frank Stojack (far left), professional wrestling standout and Pierce County Sheriff, and a fourth unidentified man. Boxers Louis and Baer had been flown by helicopter to the B&I from the Lakewood Villa Plaza where they had signed autographs earlier the same day. ALBUM 9.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baer, Max, 1909-1959--Public appearances; Louis, Joe, 1914-1981--Public appearances; Stojack, Frank; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Autographing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Group picture of Pederson Fryer Farms' baseball team. Sixteen players and their manager posed for this May 14, 1960, photograph at Heidelberg Field. They represented Pederson Fryer Farms in the 1960 AAU City League. They would join Cammarano Bottlers, Criswells, Puget Sound Renders, 4th Division Trains of Fort Lewis and defending champion Woodworth Contractors in the 6-team league. Al Faulkner, formerly of the Valley League, was the new manager of Pederson's. His team consisted, among others, of ex-PLC stars Ron Coltom, Jerry Curtis, Chuck Hobbs, and city-loop veterans Don Martelli and Ray Wing, outfielders, along with Gary Moore, Chuck Robbins and new acquisition, right hand pitcher Al MaCoy. Pederson's and Cammarano Bottlers, the previous year's runner-up, were scheduled to open the City League season in the first half of a double bill on May 30, 1960. That game was apparently cancelled due to rain and Pederson's would open their season with a 3-2 victory over the 4th Division Trains on June 3rd with southpaw Ron Coltom credited for the win. (TNT 5-8-60, B-15, 5-15-60, B-10, 6-4-60, p. 9)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Pederson Fryer Farms (Tacoma); Uniforms;

The Tacoma Giants played a double-header against the Portland Beavers on April 16, 1960 for opening day in Tacoma's new Cheney Stadium. In this photo from the first game of the day a ballplayer believed to be left fielder Dusty Rhodes makes contact with the ball to the delight of the large hometown crowd in the stands. The Portland squad won the first game 7 - 2 but fell to the home team in the nightcap, losing 11 - 0 due to the 8-hit shutout by future Hall-of-Famer Juan Marichal. Opening day had to be postponed until Saturday, April 16th, due to a 59 mph spring storm, massive rains, and low temperatures. Rhodes had a successful debut with the Tacoma Giants, going 2 - 4 in both games. He had played a major role in the New York Giants World Series victory in 1954 and played for seven years in the major leagues. TPL-9762

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rhodes, Dusty; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

Opening day ceremonies at Cheney Stadium preceding Pacific Coast League matchup between the Tacoma Giants and Portland Beavers on April 16, 1960. Tacoma Mayor Ben Hanson at the microphone. Ben Cheney, Giants Board of Directors, second from right; next to him is W.D. "Rosy" Ryan, Giants vice president/general manager. "Rosy" Ryan had pitched in three World Series with the old N.Y. Giants. He saw service with Brooklyn, Boston and the Yankees, where he was a roommate of Babe Ruth. He played under skippers Miller Huggins, John McGraw and Casey Stengel. (TNT 4-12-60, D-2)

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Public speaking--Tacoma; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Ryan, W.D.; Hanson, Ben;

The six giant light towers at the new Cheney Stadium provided excellent lighting for watching Tacoma Giants night baseball games. Spectators could see the action on the field without eye strain on this clear June 9, 1960, evening. The Giants would bounce back from losing a doubleheader the day before and defeat the Vancouver Mounties 6-0 behind the strong pitching of Eddie Fisher. With the victory, Tacoma would tie the Seattle Rainiers for third place, trailing the Sacramento Solons and Spokane Indians. The 5.012 paying customers in attendance would not only enjoy the victory, but pre-game dedication ceremonies and contests as well, and go home with a free souvenir program featuring color photographs of the team and the stadium. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber. (TNT 6-5-60, B-11. 6-10-60, A-1, p. 24) TPL-9682

Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Light fixtures;

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;

On April 25, 1962, three members of the Tacoma Ad Club appear to deeply ponder golf strategy as they prepare for the upcoming golf tournament at Allenmore Golf Course. One man has his putter on hand but the distance to the hole is not shown. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Ad Club.

Golf--Tacoma--1960-1970; Golfers--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Ad Club (Tacoma);

The Cheney Studs "Rookie" team spent part of a Sunday afternoon posing for their group picture in October, 1962, at Jefferson Field. All boys were properly dressed in uniforms and padding with helmets laid neatly in front of them. The Studs, one of the many youth sports teams sponsored by lumberman Ben Cheney, had the Studs logo of a horse on both their jerseys and helmets. The two non-uniformed individuals are probably the team's coaches. The "Rookie" League Studs would wallop the SEBC Cards that day 47-0. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

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

Ben and Marian Cheney smile broadly as they pose with guest Andy Gilbert (left) at the 1963 Washington State Sports Hall of Fame banquet sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission on February 6, 1963. Also at the top of the stairs on the upper right is Tacoma Athletic Commission president William (Bill) Gazecki. Mr. Cheney was a well known sports fan whose generosity allowed thousands of Tacoma youngsters to participate in organized sports. He was instrumental in bringing the Tacoma Giants Pacific Coast League baseball team to Tacoma to play in Cheney Stadium. Mr. Gilbert was the newly named manager of the Tacoma Giants. His pro career spanned twelve years as he performed at every position other than catcher. In his rookie season in the Ohio State League, Mr. Gilbert broke his neck sliding head-first into second base. Undeterred, he returned to baseball the following year. (TNT 2-4-63, p. 14-article) (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Awards; Washington State Sports Hall of Fame (Tacoma); Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Cheney, Marian; Gilbert, Andy; Gazecki, William;

In jest, William Gazecki was wrapped in resplendent robes and crowned the new " king" of the Tacoma Athletic Commission on February 12, 1963. Four TAC officers posed with their newly elected president as one member places a gilded crown on his head. William Larson, Peter Stojack, Marv Tommervik and Bob Danhausere form a half-circle around William Gazecki . A more traditional picture of this group was chosen to run in the February 17, 1963, edition of the News Tribune. The TAC is a local volunteer-run sports and civic booster organization. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 2-17-63, B-10)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Crowns; Larson, William C.; Stojack, Peter; Tommervik, Marv; Danhausere, Robert; Gazecki, William;

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);

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 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);

Rainy days did not keep customers away from the Bowlero Lanes, 3852 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W. in Lakewood. This early December, 1968, photograph shows a partially full parking lot outside the bowling alley, and was used in a December 5, 1968, News Tribune ad. The bowling center, located near the Sears suburban store, was announcing the gala opening of a new restaurant and coffee shop. The menu featured a delicious salad bar and Henning's famous 9 oz. broiler steak for only $3.95. Bowling was still very popular in the 1960's with league results reported in the daily newspapers. Bowlero Lanes was open for business 24 hours a day with 32 lanes available. Another feature was the new expanded billiard area. Photograph ordered by Bowlero Lanes. (TNT ad 12-5-68, B-2)

Bowlero Lanes (Lakewood); Bowling alleys--Lakewood--1960-1970; Parking lots--Lakewood;

This group of young football players, posed at Jefferson Park, was one of many that the Cheney Lumber Co. had sponsored throughout the years. The sixteen boys, members of the Cheney Studs Pee-Wee team, stand proudly dressed in football gear along with their two coaches in late October, 1967. Ben Cheney's benevolence meant that thousands of youngsters in the Puget Sound region were able to participate in amateur sports. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Football players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Football--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Professional quarterback Joe Willie Namath with two men soon after leading the New York Jets to victory over the Baltimore Colts in 1969's Super Bowl III. The young Pennsylvania native was one of the featured guests at the Tacoma Athletic Commission's annual Washington State Sports Hall of Fame show on February 17, 1969. Mr. Namath, who had recently re-grown his Fu Manchu mustache after being paid $10,000 to shave it off for a commercial, had journeyed to Stanley's Shoe store during his stay in Tacoma to try on shoes. The man in the center of this photograph has been identified as Joe Macaluso of Stanley Shoes. Man farthest to the right is possibly John Hadl, Pro Bowler, and longtime quarterback of the San Diego Chargers. ALBUM 9.

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

Broadway Joe Namath of the New York Jets was in town in mid-February, 1969, as one of the featured guests of the 10th annual Washington State Sports Hall of Fame show sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. His football team had just won the 3rd Super Bowl played, as the confident University of Alabama product had predicted. Namath, 2nd from left, stands with hands in pockets, along with three other men. Man to the farthest right is believed to be San Diego Chargers quarterback John Hadl. A six-time Pro-Bowler, Mr. Hadl would spend 16 years in the NFL and be inducted in the College Hall of Fame. "Irish" Pat McMurtry, Tacoma boxing legend, has his arm around Mr. Hadl. Hank Semmern of the TAC is at the extreme left of the photograph. The Hall of Fame gala would be completely sold out, according to Clay Huntington, chairman of the event, but fans not able to attend the February 17, 1969, show would be able to watch the proceedings on a tape delayed basis on Channel 13, KTVW. All 500 seats reserved for children had been sold as well. Kaye Hall, 17-year-old Wilson student and Olympic gold medalist in swimming, would be named State Athlete of the Year the same evening. ALBUM 9. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Namath, Joe; Football players--New York; McMurtry, Pat; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Semmern, Hank; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Washington State Sports Hall of Fame (Tacoma);

Football players. July is none too early to prepare for the upcoming football season as these two young players can attest. Both Eastside boys are partially clad in football gear, including shoulder pads, helmet and football pants. Hooks and shelves behind the boys are filled with various football paraphernalia. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc.

Football players--Tacoma--1970-1980; Football--Tacoma--1970-1980; Footballs;

ca. 1927. Undated photograph circa 1927 of baseball team believed to be Stadium High School's, ordered on June 7, 1976, by Gus J. Paine Insurance. Team members are wearing a variety of striped uniforms; one wears a cap with the letter "T" above the bill while another tall player, standing next to coach L. Lynn Deal, has the letter "T" visible on his jersey. Standing at the extreme right is believed to be Gus Paine, later a prominent Tacoma sportsman and businessman. Mr. Paine played semi-professional baseball for the Cammarano Brothers for several years and also played in various baseball leagues in the late 1920s and 1930s. (TNT 4-14-83, E-12 -obituary)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Uniforms;

Members of baseball team associated with the A. Mirenta & Co., Inc., most of whom are wearing striped uniforms, pose outside the company's office in possibly the late 1920's or 1930's. Company president August Mirenta is believed to be the man dressed in suit and tie in back row. Many Tacoma businesses sponsored athletic teams for several decades as a means to foster camaraderie and goodwill among employees. Gus Paine, who according to his obituary was an "avid baseball fan," is believed to be seated first row, extreme right. Mr. Paine, a prominent sports figure and local businessman, played in several baseball leagues in his youth. He also spent two years as a catcher for the House of David team. He was heavily involved in civic responsibilities with membership in the K Street Businessmen's Assn., Sons of Italy, Fircrest Golf Club, Tacoma Athletic Commission, Tacoma Elks Lodge and the Tacoma-Pierce County Independent Insurance Agents Assn., among others. Photograph ordered on June 7, 1976, by Gus J. Paine Insurance. (TNT 4-14-83, E-12-obituary)

Baseball players--Tacoma; Uniforms;

Studio portrait of a boxer. Roger McCane has his gloved fists up in a traditional boxing pose when photographed in early January of 1979. He would be participating in the Tacoma Athletic Commission's annual Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament to be held on February 3, 1979, at the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Boxing--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1970-1980; McCane, Roger;

T.A.C. officials and guests. Husky quarterback Sonny Sixkiller (back row, third from right) and three of his teammates paid a visit to the Tacoma Athletic Commission on December 3, 1970. T.A.C. members seated (left to right) are: Hank Semmern, Tom Paine, professional golfer Ken Still, and president Hal Brotman. Forrest Rodgers (extreme right) is in the back row along with Sonny Sixkiller and his teammates. Teammates Rank Baty, Ace Bulger and Rick Huget are all graduates of Washington high schools. (teammates order unknown) Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT article 12-8-70, p. 16)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Sixkiller, Sonny; Semmern, Hank; Paine, Tom; Still, Ken; Brotman, Hal; Rodgers, Forrest; Baty, Rank; Bulger, Ace; Huget, Rick;

Tacoma Twins' catcher Glenn Borgmann was one of 16 players involved in providing personalized instruction to young Tacoma fans on May 20, 1972, as the team in conjunction with Carling Brewery offered a two-hour baseball clinic at Cheney Stadium. It appears that the 1291 youngsters in attendance were divided into smaller groups each headed by a Tacoma Twin. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Twins. (TNT 5-17-72, C-16, TNT 5-21-72, D-1)

Baseball--Tacoma--1970-1980; Baseball players--Tacoma--1970-1980; Borgmann, Glenn; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

The country club was starting their annual week for juniors, with sailboat races as the first event. Juniors would be participating in tennis, golf, swimming, picnics and dances. Geoff Reif, President of the Juniors was carrying out the details in the comprehensive program, Leon E. Titus was helping plan Junior events. View of Junior members participating in the golf tournament during Junior week at Tacoma Country Club, the girls are checking the score cards (T. Times, 7/20/48, p. 6).

Golf--Tacoma--1940-1950; Golfers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Young adults--Tacoma; Recording & registration--Tacoma; Country clubs--Tacoma; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma);

On Sunday afternoon, August 29, 1948, a few spectators returned to their automobiles, holding tight to their small children, after watching part of the two hour water show in Commencement Bay. The show was held in the waters of the Bay in front of the Top of the Ocean restaurant and club and was sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission, which had its headquarters at the Top. People crowded the decks of the Top, as well as the Old Town Dock. The show featured the talents of the Seattle Skiquatics Follies.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Old Town Dock (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts;

Cars lined the intersection of Ruston Way and McCarver St. as spectators flooded Old Tacoma on August 29, 1948 to see the second annual water show sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Club. Water skiing entertainment would be provided by the Seattle Skiquatic Follies in the waters in front of the Top of the Ocean, which housed the TAC headquarters.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Old Town Dock (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts;