The amazing Zender brothers of the Deming Loggers of 1956 (runners-up at the '56 National Baseball Congress Tournament). Front row (left to right) - Pete Zender OF, Jake Zender OF, Nick Zender 3B, Dan Zender OF. Back row - Lawrence Zender P, John Zender OF, Jim Zender C, Dick Zender C/MGR, Bernie Zender 2B.
[Photo from the National Baseball Congress]
The full team, which finished second at the National Baseball Congress Tournament in 1956. Players include, standing : John Zender OF, Doug Weiss P, Ken Jackson P, Daryl Burke P, Gail Bishop 1B, Ron Aiken P, Don Schilling SS, Jim Zender C and Jake Zender OF. Front : Lawrence Zender P, Dan Zender OF, Don Smith INF, Pete Zender OF, Earl Silverthorne OF, Nick Zender 3B, Bernie Zender 2B and Dick Zender C/MGR
(Also see Deming Loggers 1962)
The Zenders even attracted the attention of Sports Illustrated. In a June, 1956 issue, the magazine noted the famous baseball playing brothers.
"The Deming (Wash.) Loggers semipro team in the Northwest League is a family affair, comprising the nine Zender brothers, all redheaded, and ranging in age from Jim, 16, to Pete, 34. All nine also golf, fish, swim and play basketball in winter, and work for the family logging business (Zee Brothers). Last year they lost the Northwest pennant by one game. Standing (left to right) are Pete, Nick, John, Lawrence, Jake, Dan, Jim and Bernie. In front: Dick."
