PROFILE: Born in Los Angeles on November 22, 1890, played professional baseball for several years as a catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1914 to 1917. Even at age 88 (1979) he was still raising pups in Aloha, Oregon and racing a kennel at nearby Portland.

HISTORY: While playing ball in Butte, MT, in 1927, Jack was introduced to greyhound racing. He bought his first greyhound in the off season, a pup named Copa De Oro, who later became a star at Butt and the Madison track, outside of Chicago. Jack also raced at Miami Beach and a couple of California tracks in the 1920’s. He was on hand for the opening of Multnomah Kennel Club at Portland in 1933. He became a regular kennel at Portland, Miami Beach and later Phoenix. His most famous greyhound was Johnny Leonard, who made it possible for Jack to buy some land in Oregon where he resides today. Other greyhounds he raced and owned were Gallant Venture, Lone Gale pups: Trend Setter, Doc Rennick and Silver Thaw.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Jack Roche’s great greyhound, Johnny Leonard was inducted into the Greyhound Hall of Fame in 1978. Johnny Leonard has made a major contribution to the breed through his descendants.