Originally published Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Obituary | Bob Stagg played in glory days of Rainiers
Another link to the glory days of the Seattle Rainiers is gone. In fact, with last Thursday's death in Seattle of Bob Stagg at age 86, there...
Seattle Times baseball reporter
Another link to the glory days of the Seattle Rainiers is gone.
In fact, with last Thursday's death in Seattle of Bob Stagg at age 86, there are now no living members from the Rainiers' Pacific Coast League dynasty of 1939-41, when the team won three straight PCL championships.
Mr. Stagg's death came one year and one day after the passing of Edo Vanni last year at age 89. Vanni had been the last surviving member of the original Rainiers team of 1938.
Mr. Stagg and Vanni were teammates at Queen Anne High School, along with other future Rainiers such as Mike Budnick and Joe McNamee.
It was a golden era for Seattle high-school baseball, with Fred Hutchinson, Dewey Soriano, Ray Tran and Ernie Endress at Franklin, and Earl and Chet Johnson at Ballard.
Mr. Stagg died of an aneurysm at the Queen Anne Health Care Center, where he had been living since the day after Thanksgiving.
"Baseball back then was the way he lived life," said Mr. Stagg's son, Rick Stagg. "You worked hard, played hard, and you lived good and upstanding."
Mr. Stagg was a reserve catcher on the talent-laden Rainiers teams of 1939-42. After serving in the Navy in World War II — Mr. Stagg also was on active duty in the Korean War, and was in the Naval Reserves for 27 years — he returned to the Rainiers in 1946-47. He had a .221 average during his PCL career.
"He didn't have a lengthy pro career, but he was right there in the glory era," said PCL historian Dave Eskenazi, who befriended Mr. Stagg. "He was a really nice guy. He told great stories. He had a real resonant voice, with always that hint of a smile and sparkle."
Mr. Stagg also played for Twin Falls in the Pioneer League, and Spokane and Tacoma in the Western International League — both of them feeder leagues for the PCL.
He later worked numerous years for Coca-Cola in the Puget Sound area and Portland, finishing as a plant manager in Bellevue before retiring in 1978.
Mr. Stagg is survived by his second wife, Goldie Stagg; son Rick, daughter-in-law Robin, and grandsons John and Mark. His first wife, Ladonna Stagg, died in 1986.
At Mr. Stagg's request, there will be no funeral services. His urn will be placed at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Talks to restart between Mariners, Ken Griffey Jr.
Larry Stone: Big decisions await Jack Zduriencik as he heads for GM meetings
Baseball | Ex-Mariners reliever J.J. Putz files for free agency
MLB | Ex-Huskies pitcher Tim Lincecum makes deal with prosecutors
World Series | Yankees enjoy victory parade through Manhattan

Mourners gather at KeyArena for slain officer's memorial
Mourners gathered at KeyArena for the memorial service of Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton on November 6, 2009.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
- Briefs | Soccer: New Mexico suspends hair-pulling player Elizabeth Lambert
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- Huskies suffer another heartbreaking loss to UCLA
- McGinn pulling away as late ballots come in
- Using anti-shooter tactics, civilian Army police officer brought down gunman
- How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
- 3 Cascade Mountain passes close due to snow; more rain, wind expected Sunday
- Heavy snow in Cascades shuts down roads
- UCLA game thread
940 - Weapons, bomb-making materials found in suspect's apartment
336 - U.S. House passes health plan
252 - Decision day for health care in the House
201 - Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
177 - Referendum 71 show's Washington's strategy for marriage equality is working
105 - Huskies suffer another heartbreaking loss to UCLA
103 - Grading the game
98 - How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
67 - Fort Hood shooting suspect had shown troubling signs
43
- Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- 10 ways to take control of your health
- The birth of 'Grunge,' in photos by Michael Lavine
- How do innovators think?
- Danny Westneat | Lee the Horse Logger found slow wagon shrank tumor
- 10 investing missteps to avoid
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- Guest columnist | Cut the South Carolina jokes, Seattle. Get ready to compete
- Consortium on verge of owning Eastside railway land








