Old-Time-Baseball-Photo Fever: Catch It

Last weekend, I profiled Bill Swank, San Diego’s preeminent baseball historian.

He graciously gave us permission to use the following images of San Diego baseball history from his collection, plus one of himself from his early days as a fan.

Lane Field, where the Padres of the Pacific Coast League played, on September 13, 1954. Photo by Ray Hacecky.

The San Diego Bears, 1911 champions of the California Winter League. Photo courtesy Tom Larwin.

1940 Opening Day, Lane Field with lefty Wallace “Preacher” Hebert on the mound for the Padres against the Los Angeles Angels (note the photographer on one knee taking a picture of the batter).

Bill Swank, Sr. (holding cigar) with his Little Brewers, Bill Jr. and Andy, on Mother’s Day 1946 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

— RANDY DOTINGA