Cliff Blankenship 1910 Tacoma Tigers

[Vintagecatcher]

No idea on whether he is related to Cliff or not.

Patrick

[Hankphenom]

You probably know this, but in case you don't, Cliff Blankenship scouted and secured Walter Johnson for Washington in Weiser, Idaho, in June, 1907. And since you were asking about Tacoma, Johnson signed with them in 1906 and pitched one exhibition game before he was released.

[rhettyeakley]

Here is a card of Cliff after his Tacoma days...


Here are the known cards of Cliff...

Blankenship, Clifford D. (Cliff)
• 1909/11 E90-1
• 1909 T204
• 1910 T212-2 (175)
• 1915 Zeenuts
• 1916 Zeenuts

[Vintagecatcher]

Hank,

I didn't know the connection between Walter and Cliff. Don't think I ever knew Walter played in the PCL. I collect primarily 1909-1911 with regards to the PCL.

Thanks gentleman!

Patrick

[clydepepper]

Good to see Cliff getting some attention.

As I have proudly mentioned before, he was the first Columbus, GA native to reach the Majors.

I have his Ramly, American Caramel and Obak cards and am always looking to add to my Blankenship collection.


.

[dlfallen]

More trivia. Cliff played for Seattle 1904 to 1906 mostly (I think) as catcher but also at first base, third base, and outfield. He had over 400 at-bats in Seattle, batting 312, 311, and 310. Pretty consistent!

He also managed Salt Lake City in 1915 and 1916, and occasionally pinch-hit going 1 for 7 in 1915, and 0 for 1 in 1916.

Dave

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Vintagecatcher

Hank,

I didn't know the connection between Walter and Cliff. Don't think I ever knew Walter played in the PCL. I collect primarily 1909-1911 with regards to the PCL.

Thanks gentleman!

Patrick

In one of the many strange twists in Johnson's life, he arrived in Tacoma of the Northwestern League as an 18 year-old in April, 1906, several days after the San Francisco earthquake and fire. He pitched one exhibition game for earthquake relief and pitched well, but was released due to an expected influx of PCL players looking for jobs in the Northwestern League. Several days after his departure for Weiser, it was decided that the PCL would carry on despite the devastation of their flagship city, San Francisco, but it was too late for Walter. His only official appearance in the minor leagues didn't come until after his pitching career, when he pitched to one batter while managing Newark of the International League.

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

In one of the many strange twists in Johnson's life, he arrived in Tacoma of the Northwestern League as an 18 year-old in April, 1906, several days after the San Francisco earthquake and fire. He pitched one exhibition game for earthquake relief and pitched well, but was released due to an expected influx of PCL players looking for jobs in the Northwestern League. Several days after his departure for Weiser, it was decided that the PCL would carry on despite the devastation of their flagship city, San Francisco, but it was too late for Walter. His only official appearance in the minor leagues didn't come until after his pitching career, when he pitched to one batter while managing Newark of the International League.

Great Stuff, Hank...just like your grandpa!

Thanks,
Raymond

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by clydepepper

Great Stuff, Hank...just like your grandpa!

Thanks,
Raymond

Thanks, Raymond!