The workers at the Boeing manufacturing plant near Seattle, Washington found themselves with a sponsor in pre-war Northwest League action and created quite a stir during the season.

Led by outstanding defensive play captained by former Brooklyn Dodger Frank Stojack and 1939's Buck Weaver joining from West Seattle, the "Aeros" or sometimes "Bombers" shut down every opposing offense during the 1940 season with a record-book worthy eight consecutive shut outs.  What ruffled the feathers of opponents like the Enumclaw Silver Barons, who were two of the four 0-0 ties during the season, was Stojack punting on 2nd and 3rd down in order to get the defense back on the field.  The tactic worked as the defense forced turnovers giving the somewhat hamstrung offense easy scoring opportunities, and Boeing won the Northwest League championship with a 4-0-4 record.  Enumclaw finished second with a 5-1-2 record but felt they were the better overall team even though West Seattle gave them their only loss, which was reversed when Enumclaw defeated West Seattle in the final week.  Comparatively, Boeing was 1-0-1 against the Yellowjackets with a total points in both games being 3-0 in favor of the Aeros.

What the league could not deny was the play of Stojack.  The former 1932 Olympic wrestling team contender was dominant and awarded the Northwest League Most Valuable Player award for the 1940 season.

Alot of changes came in 1941 as the region was on war footing and men departed for military service including many of the Boeing stars.  The Yellowjackets recruited heavily and put the class of the regions team on the field and defeated Boeing for the Northwest League championship of 1941, the final time the league would take the field until being resurrected in the 1970's.

The 1941 season is incomplete and is still under research.  Please contact us if you have information.

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