One of Ben Cheney's Cheney Studs baseball teams posed for a group shot in July of 1967. Thousands of youngsters were given the opportunity to play a variety of sports thanks to the generosity of well-known lumberman and philanthropist Ben Cheney. All of the teams used the Cheney Studs logo on their uniforms.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Uniforms;

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;

Mascot, coaches and baseball players are photographed behind an array of bats in this June of 1966 scene. It may have been taken at Heidelberg Field in Tacoma. The players are all wearing uniforms bearing the logo of the Ben Cheney teams: the Cheney Studs.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970;

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;

Copy of customer's print. Ben Cheney, baseball aficionado, with San Francisco Giants catcher, Tom Haller, during 1963 spring training in Tucson, Arizona. Cheney is wearing a San Francisco Giants uniform while Haller sports his catcher's protective gear. Ben Cheney at that time was the owner of the Tacoma Giants, minor league club affiliate of the S.F. Giants. He enjoyed going to the Big League's spring training in Arizona. Tom Haller would play in the Big Leagues for 12 years, be an All-Star, and later return to the San Francisco Giants as a coach and executive. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Baseball players--Arizona--1960-1970; Haller, Tom, 1937-2004; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; San Francisco Giants (San Francisco);

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);

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);

Baseball clinic. Cheney Stadium was packed with youngsters on Saturday, May 20, 1972, as the budding baseball stars participated in a two-hour clinic jointly sponsored by the Tacoma Twins and Carling Brewery. The News Tribune reported that 1291 kids were in attendance. Personalized instruction in fielding, batting, and other skills was provided by 16 Twins players with pitcher Hal Haydel as chief instructor. Free tickets were handed out to the young athletes to that night's Twins game with Salt Lake City; provided, of course, that they were accompanied by adults. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Twins. (TNT 5-17-72, C-16- article; TNT 5-21-72, D-1)

Baseball--Tacoma--1970-1980; Baseball players--Tacoma--1970-1980; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

Colt League team. Coach Norman Orr poses with his Colt League team in late June of 1970 at Heidelberg Field. The baseball team was sponsored by Ben Cheney and played under the Cheney Studs logo. Players were believed to be 15-16 years old. Photograph ordered by the Cheney Lumber Co.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1970-1980; Uniforms; Orr, Norman;

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);

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;

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;

Baseball outing on the grounds of the Western State Hospital.

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.

A large crowd of baseball fans gathered outside the Tribune Publishing Company building to watch the box score of the World Series game between the Philadelphia Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals on October 5, 1930. The News Tribune had a large scoreboard mounted on the front of their building which allowed fans to follow the game play-by-play. Although Cardinals pitcher Jesse Haines outdueled Lefty Grove 3-1 to tie the Series up at 2 wins apiece, the Athletics would ultimately prevail, winning the World Series 4 games to 2. BU-12852, TPL-2115

Back of Photo:
Peck Field

Back of Photo:
Peck Field
Athletic Park

Back of Photo:
Peck Field

Back of Photo:
Cheney Baseball Stadium

Back of Photo:
Cheney Stadium
Photograph by Bruce Larson

Back of Photo:
Cheney Baseball Stadium

Back of Photo:
Cheney Stadium
Kellman

Back of Photo:
Cheney Baseball Stadium
Dedication