As an organizer, Tom was a driving force in creating the Kelly Shamrock Association. This group sponsored City Championship teams, and on one occasion sponsored additional teams that assured the continuity of the powerful North Side League. Stankey was also an innovator, having been the first player to wear shorts in a regularly scheduled Muny League game. Tom’s playing career spanned 17 years, and while he was a fine catcher, he had the ability to play anywhere on the diamond. Tom’s handling of pitchers afforded him, the opportunity to serve as a non-registered catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs. He played military service baseball from 1941 through 1945. Stankey was wounded in Luzon in the Philippines. He was often used by Pepper Martin in his famed “Pepper Game.”