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…
Coupeville Sports 