Caught stealing: Bob Cress, baseball player and jail-breaker

Whether Bob Cress was behind home plate, on the lam or behind bars, there was always some sort of a catch. As a ballplayer, he couldn’t hit. As a fugitive, he didn’t plan ahead. As a prisoner, he wasn’t inclined to hang around.

Section:Gallery

Sat., June 10, 2017

Bob Cress, fifth from the left, poses with members of the Upstairs Price team that won the 1917 Spokane City League championship. Sponsor W.B. “Bert” Price and player-manager Jay Kennedy are on the left followed by Roscoe “Torchy” Torrance, future Seattle baseball executive and prominent University of Washington booster. Spokane Indians manager Nick Williams, future Idaho state senator Art Murphy and standout pitcher George Clink are to the right of Cress. Williams signed on after the Northwestern League folded in mid-July.

Juanita Mcbride Courtesy
Bob Cress

Juanita Mcbride Courtesy
Bob Cress

Juanita Mcbride Courtesy
A 1913 Pendleton police department arrest photo later circulated among law enforcement agencies. Such photos are known as case cards.

Jim Price The Spokesman-Review
Bob Cress seems to be enjoying life as he carves the Christmas turkey in 1956.

Juanita Mcbride Courtesy