Did you know?

•Dick Phillips is the only Tacoma player to be named the PCL MVP. Phillips earned the honor in 1961 when he hit .267 with 16 home runs and 98 RBI for the Giants, leading them to the PCL championship in just their second year of existence.

•Dick Estelle threw two no-hitters for the Tacoma Giants, one each in 1964 and 1965.

•Adrian Garrett belted 43 home runs in 1971 for the Tacoma Cubs, including 19 at Cheney Stadium.

•Burt Hooton struck out 19 batters against Eugene on August 17, 1971 at Cheney Stadium for the Cubs, a record that still stands today.

•Aaron Pointer is the last professional baseball player to hit .400 over an entire season, a feat he accomplished in 1961 when he hit .402 for Salisbury in the Western Carolina League.

•The Tacoma Tigers roster featured three consecutive American League Rookies of the Year for the Oakland A’s. Jose Canseco (1984), Mark McGwire (1985) and Walt Weiss (1986). McGwire played third base for the Tigers before moving to first base with Oakland.

The 1961 Cheney Studs

The following players are listed in alphabetical order, and not as they appear in the photo.

Gene Anderson

Mike Carnahan

Hal Dodeward

Monte Geiger

Mike Gillis

Ken Jacobson

Mel Manley

Glenn Mattison

Bucky O’Brien

Greg Rodell

Gary Snyder

Bob Walker

Jim Broulette

Ben Cheney

Andy Erickson

Bill Gillis

Earl Hyder

Larry Loughlin

Bob Maguinez

Larry McCauley

Eddie O’Brien

Tim Smith

Rolland Todd

Steve Whitaker

Take the Quiz!

How well do you know the Cheney Studs from 1961?

Answer the questions below about the 1961 Cheney Studs:

A. Name the two non-players from Pierce County.

B. Name the five players from Pierce County.

C. Name the one player (Not from Pierce County) who pitched for the Tacoma Tigers of the Western International League in 1951.

D. Name the player from King County whose son is the head basketball coach for a current NBA team.

E. Name the player who was the head coach for the Portland Trailblazers of the NBA.

F. Name the coach who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

G. Name the player who pitched briefly for the Tacoma Giants.

See page 62 for the answers.

“Iron” Joe McGinnity (right) pitched 10 seasons in the major leagues and compiled a 246–142 record, earning himself a place in the baseball Hall of Fame. But, at the age of 42 he found himself in Tacoma and not only owned the club but managed and pitched in the Northwest League from 1913–1915, finishing with a 64–55 won-lost record.

Quiz Answers

In the attached photo of the 1961 Cheney Studs team there are:

A. Name the two non-players from Pierce County. Ben Cheney and Gene Anderson

B. Name the five players from Pierce County. Steve Whitaker, Earl Hyder, Larry Loughlin, Bob Maguinez and Mel Manley

C. Name the one player (Not from Pierce County) who pitched for the Tacoma Tigers of the Western International League in 1951.

Hal Dodeward

D. Name the player from King County whose son is the head basketball coach for a current NBA team.

Gary Snyder—Quinn Snyder of the Utah Jazz

E. Name the player who was the head coach for the Portland Trailblazers of the NBA. Rolland Todd was the first coach of the Portland Trailblazers. He attended the UW for graduate school.

F. Name the coach who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Eddie O”Brien

G. Name the player who pitched briefly for the Tacoma Giants.

Andy Erickson in 1963