Coupeville Sports

Jim Clark rules the diamond. (Photos courtesy Renae Mulholland)

I don’t know it all.

Sometimes it probably reads like I think I do, but man, I maybe know like 7% of Coupeville’s sports history.

And yes, that’s seven, and not 70.

Every day I discover something new, it seems, and my best source of info is you, the people who have lived in this town.

The Whidbey News-Times moved their back issues off the Island a while ago, and stashed them, Raiders of the Lost Ark-style in a warehouse, never to be seen by the light of day again.

But you, my saviors, going through your attics, and basements, and barns, are sitting on a lot of history, and I appreciate it when you pass it on.

Who knows? Someday someone may find my holy grail – Tom Sahli’s basketball scoring stats for the 1951-1952 season.

Could happen…

Anyway, today’s glance at the past gives a glimpse of Jim Clark, who went from being a beautiful brawler to life as a standout diamond dandy.

And check out his opponent in the boxing ring in the third clipping – one Joe Finkbonner.

I know, kid was like nine years old, but I like to imagine a ring announcer going all Michael Buffer on his intro.

“In the left corner, wearing the blue trunks, weighing in at a titanic 68 pounds, the terror of the mainland, Joe “The Fink” … FINKBONNER!!!!”

Boo! Boo! Boo!!!!

And then Jim “The Jab” Clark defends Whidbey’s honor in a thunderous hail of, well, jabs.

Of course, right below the boxing recap is a brief note about Mr. Hilderdink’s small calf being mistaken for a deer and shot to heck by hunters who left their bifocals at home.

Probably high school basketball refs in real life…