1948 Victoria, BC, Eagles     

1948 Victoria

Victoria, BC, Eagles baseball team, Senior Amateur League. Top row: Gar Taylor who was player/manager, Vic Dale, Kit Carson, Bob Prior, Reg Clarkson, Bill/Buddy Bendall, Tom Joyce. Bottom: Bernie Clarkson, Bob Landell, Bernie Anderson, Verne Evans, Les/Alex Garnet, Jim Morrison; and Coach. (One name missing).

The Eagles played out of Athletic Park in Victoria.  The club was sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Eagles, a organization founded in Seattle in 1898.  It was originally formed by those in the performing arts.  The Eagles are beleived to be responsible for the establishment of the Mother's Day holiday.

Gar Taylor, Victoria Sports Hall of Fame.

Taylor, who made Victoria his home in the 1930's, competed in almost all team sports but baseball became his life long passion. He started in school and went on to an illustrious career in Senior Amateur baseball in Victoria. In 1962 Gar took on the job as acting president of the Victoria and District Baseball Association when the graduating Little Leaguers needed places to play. Leagues like Babe Ruth, Connie Mack, Colt and Pony were formed and through their fund raising the Baseball Association was able to assist the new organizations. Agreements with the Parks Board saw the baseball funds help develop diamonds at Topaz, Reynolds, Bullen and other locations.

[Photo courtesy of Chad Evans]