1951 Saskatchewan Snapshots     

Cairns Field

Eliminated in the 1951 Saskatoon Optimist tournament, members of the California Mohawks and Saskatoon 55s watch the final from centre field.  Left to right, Bud Watkins, unknown, Steve Stavrianoudakis, Charlie Beene(Photo courtesy Charlie Beene)

Saskatoon Opener

The 1951 season opener at Cairns Field in Saskatoon.  Image courtesy of The Saskatoon Star-Phoenix via the Saskatchewan Archives Board

1951 Saskatoon Tournament

Baseball was big news on the prairies.  This was a tournament preview -- taking up a major portion of the sports section. Left to right -- Bob Garcia, Bob Stevenson, Charlie Beene, Roy Dean, Jimmy Shields, Pete Polus, Andy Porter, Andy Swota  (Saskatoon Star Phoenix, June 29, 1951)

Charlie Beene  Charlie, Steve & friend  Bob Garcia

California kids in Saskatoon, 1951.  Left:  Charlie Beene (all of seventeen) and his even younger pals.  Centre:  Beene, unknown, Steve Stavrianoudakis.  Right: Bob Garcia and friend. (Photographs courtesy Charlie Beene)

Saskatoon recruits   

Left :  On May 17, 1951, the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix carried the news that two players from the College of Sequoias, Bobby Garica (left) and Charlie Beene would be arriving in about a month to join Roy Taylor on the Saskatoon 55s. 

 

Below left -  Player-manager Roy Taylor (extreme right) with three of his stars with the Saskatoon 55s.  Jack Hannah left, Sherman Watrous centre, and Bob Herron right.  (Saskatoon Star Phoenix, June 13, 1951)

Below right - Roy Taylor takes a turn in the infield.


Roy Taylor & playersRoy Taylor

Charlie Beene & Gordie Howe

Howe & Beene

Left - 1993 in Billings, Montana.  Gordie Howe comes to town while on a tour marking his 65th year.  Charlie Beene and Howe go through Beene's album of their time playing ball in Saskatoon in 1951.

Above - Beene & Howe in photos from 1951. (Photo courtesy Charlie Beene)

California Kids

The Fresno and Visalia, California kids playing for the Saskatoon 55s and California Mohawks get together in Saskatoon during the 1951 season.  Back row (left to right) : Jack Hannah, Bob Garcia, xxx, Charlie Beene.  Middle row : xxx, Jim Peterson.  Front row : Ray White, Bud Watkins, Roy Taylor, Steve Stavrianoudakis, Norm Brown (Photo from the Charlie Beene collection)

Gordie Howe     Lefty Arnold

Left : Gordie Howe mans first base for the 55s.  Right :  Southpaw pitcher Lefty Arnold.

Saskatoon 55s

While not a challenge to the famous House of David pepper game, the Saskatoon 55s have their own fun. 
Left to right :  Jules Swick, Steve Stavrianoudakis, Bob Garcia, Norm Brown, Jack Hannah.

Charlie Beene   Gordie Howe, Roy Taylor

Left : Righthander Charlie Beene at the Kamsack tournament.  Right : Gordie Howe and Saskatoon playing-manager Roy Taylor.   (Photos from the Charlie Beene collection)

Roy TaylorMurray Coben Jack Hannah, Bobby Garcia

Left to right : June 4, 1951, Roy Taylor prepares for the trip from Visalia to Saskatoon.  Pitcher Murray Coben.  Pitcher Jack Hannah and catcher Bobby Garcia

Saskatchewan Snapshots Page Two   >>>