A Kent icon passed away a year ago, but the tradition and values he championed are being carried on by many others.
Art Wright died May 25, 2010, three days before the 2010 Art Wright Memorial Day Baseball Tournament at Kent Memorial Park. He was 90. Wright founded the tournament more than 20 years ago.
The spirit of the man was present this past Memorial Day, when his two great grandsons, Bailey Ryan, 10, and Connor Ryan, 6, threw out the first pitch.
Wright’s granddaughter, Christen Ryan, and mother of the two boys said, “Baseball was his (Art Wright’s) life. He was a very impressive and amazing man.”
Wright moved to Kent after serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
His military career began during the opening battle of the war in the South Pacific when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.
Wright was aboard the USS Raleigh when it was torpedoed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941. The cruiser was hit, but did not sink.
Wright was injured during the attack, but continued to defend the ship and rescued sailors who were thrown into the water or trapped in the lower decks.
After recovering from his injuries, he returned to the ship and served the remainder of the war in the South Pacific.
Following the war, Wright met his wife, Gladys, in Seattle and the couple moved to Kent.
He became active in the American Legion and encouraged his post to sponsor a baseball team in the Kent area in 1961.
The founding of an American Legion team began a tradition in Kent that influenced many young players, parents and families over the next five decades.
Wright believed the players needed a field and that was the beginning of Kent Memorial Park.
The American Legion owned the land where the park is today. Wright worked with the American Legion and the city of Kent to construct the park as it is today.
Through the years, he found ways to raise money for the team to keep the costs down. Wright believed in baseball and what the game taught the boys who played.
He was well known for managing the concession stand and selling his “Art Wright’s World Famous Chili Dogs.”
His granddaughter said the hot dogs were given the world famous title by television sports personality Tony Ventrella.
It is estimated Wright raised more than $250,000 over the years for the teams and influenced the lives of hundreds of youths.
The complex was named Kent Memorial Park. Eight years ago, field No. 1 was named Art Wright Field.
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