Sourdough Sam
Well-known member
- Mar 20, 2019
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Adapting to life in San Francisco after growing up in the insular world of the Hawaiian Islands was a challenge. Several 49ers players and front office personnel took Yonamine under their wings and provided assistance.
After Spadia provided Yonamine with the basics - housing, familiar food and warm clothing - Yonamine began to adjust to a new culture.
He shared a room with Eddie Carr, a rookie running back from Philadelphia, PA. Together they frequented San Francisco restaurants and jazz clubs and became close friends.
During training camp, Yonamine dined with the team, but noticed the menu lacked an essential ingredient. He politely mentioned to Coach Shaw he was losing weight because there was no rice on the table. Shaw ordered the cooks to serve steamed rice with every meal.
"I remember him as a quiet kid, kind of shy," former teammate Jesse Freitas said in an interview from 2013. "We all liked him. I mingled with him during practice with the backs. He had a good sense of humor... There were a lot of World War II vets on that team. I don't recall anyone commenting on his heritage. We knew him as the Hawaiian kid."
Before long members of the local Japanese American community called on Yonamine and invited him to picnics in Golden Gate Park, community events and dances.
On the field, Yonamine faced a tougher challenge. He tried to wrestle playing time away from a veteran backfield consisting of quarterback Frankie Albert and running backs Norm Standlee, Len Eshmont and John Strzykalski.
Initially, Yonamine was used as a kickoff and punt returner, but by Week 4 he was seeing more action out of the backfield. Playing in front of 52,823 fans at Kezar Stadium against the New York Yankees, Yonamine nabbed an Albert screen pass and wiggled his way for 15 yards to set up a touchdown.
The following week Yonamine sparked a comeback against the Buffalo Bills. San Francisco trailed Buffalo 24-7 early in the third period when Yonamine fielded a punt, squirmed through a pack of tacklers and darted 25 yards to the Bills 28-yard line. On the next play, he took a handoff and bounced outside for five yards. Seconds later Jesse Freitas connected with Alyn Beals on a 14-yard touchdown pass and the 49ers posted 34 unanswered points to win 41-24.
Midway through the season, Yonamine had his best game. He started at halfback against the Chicago Rockets and averaged 4.7 yards on eight carries, including an elusive 17-yard scamper to set up a score. He also caught two passes for 24 yards. On defense, he intercepted a potential scoring pass that helped preserve the 42-28 victory.
The 49ers concluded the 1947 campaign with an 8-4-2 record, good for second place behind the powerful Cleveland Browns in the AAFC's West Division. In his first season of pro football, the 23-year-old Yonamine showed promise. He recorded 74 yards rushing on 19 carries (3.9 yard average), caught three passes for 40 yards, and posted 156 yards on kick returns. He also played a valuable role in the secondary as a sure tackler who provided outstanding pass coverage.