In Remembrance of Clay Huntington

Moving to Tacoma in 1922, Clay Huntington first gained an interest in sports broadcasting at 10 or 11, as he recalled in the book, “Playgrounds To The Pros: An Illustrated History of Sports in Tacoma-Pierce County.”  By the young age of 19, he was hosting radio interviews on the local radio station KTBI.

Through the year’s 1946 and 1951, Huntington’s signature call “Two out, two on, two in – deuces prevail” would sail over the airwaves into the ears of anyone listening to the Class A Tacoma Tigers.

Huntington would remain in the broadcasting industry for decades to come.  Since 1991, he has owned the Lakewood based radio station KLAY AM 1180.

Broadcasting was just one of Huntington’s many different projects. “When he wasn’t working on the radio, he was handing out a trophy at some all-star game, or organizing an event with the Tacoma Athletic Commission,” sports public-relations professional Doug McArthur said.

Huntington was one of the founders of the Tacoma Athletic Commission, which all began in a failed attempted in hosting benefit football game.  Through this set back, the Tacoma Athletic Commission was born, and now 60 years later remains a vital part of the South Sound community.

In 1960, Huntington help lead a effort to construct Cheney Stadium, a significant step in relocating the Pacific Coast League’s Phoenix Giants to Tacoma.  Today, the hard work of Huntington still lives on through the Tacoma Rainiers and will continue to live on for years to come.

For 89 years Huntington touched the lives of many in the South Sound community. “When you think of how many people Clay touched, it’s amazing. He had a hand in politics, sports, broadcasting, civic affairs, you name it. And while there might be somebody who didn’t like him, I can’t think of one,” Tacoma sports historian Marc Blau said.

Huntington is survived by his son Ron, his daughter, Cheryl.