1946 Spokane Indians Archives

1946 Spokane Indians

Mel Cole: From Guadalcanal to Spokane

Mel Cole arrived at Spokane Indians spring training in early April 1946 unsure if he had a future in baseball. After all, it had been nearly five years since he had last played professionally. Like millions of Americans, Cole had spent the previous four years serving his country during World War II. With the war […]

Eric Vickrey 6 months agoSeptember 14, 2025

1946 Spokane Indians

Bob Kinnaman and a Once-Promising Career

Bob Kinnaman showed plenty of promise as a young hurler with the Spokane Indians in the early 1940s. World War II derailed his career, and a tragic bus accident ended his life.

Eric Vickrey 6 months agoSeptember 3, 2025

1946 Spokane Indians

Bob Paterson: Potential Unfulfilled

The biting cold air chilled the bones of the dozens of ballplayers who gathered for Oakland Oaks spring training in Boyes Springs, California, in early March of 1946. Oaks camp was bursting at the seams with players returning to pro ball following World War II. Among them was a strapping young outfielder named Bob Paterson. […]

Eric Vickrey 11 months agoApril 2, 2025

1946 Spokane Indians

Jack Lohrke Hits Record-Breaking Home Run

Before 1947, the 1936 New York Yankees held the major-league record with 182 home runs. Another Big Apple team—the Giants—shattered the record in ’47 by clubbing 221 round-trippers. The record-breaking 183rd homer was hit by rookie Jack “Lucky” Lohrke, whose life story is almost beyond imagination. Lohrke, a California native, signed with the Pacific Coast […]

Eric Vickrey 2 years agoJanuary 11, 2024

Eric Vickrey

Tag: 1946 Spokane Indians

Mel Cole: From Guadalcanal to Spokane

Bob Kinnaman and a Once-Promising Career

Bob Paterson: Potential Unfulfilled

Jack Lohrke Hits Record-Breaking Home Run

Before They Wore Dodger Blue