When I first found this footage, I quickly recognized Oaks Stadium in Emeryville. I was a bit confused, because it appeared to be a game between the Oakland Oaks (minor league) and the then-New York Giants (major league), which would only make sense if it was an exhibition game. I searched in archives of the Oakland Tribune but couldn’t find a mention of the game.
I posted the clip and what I knew on the Oakland History group on Facebook, and someone spotted a San Francisco Seals jersey, and someone else spotted Joe DiMaggio (then with the New York Yankees). Armed with the additional clues, I found articles about the game.
On October 25, 1936, the All-Star Majors and All-Star Minors (Pacific Coast League) played an exhibition game, as a fundraiser for the Alameda Elks club. Besides Joe DiMaggio, other players of note include Ernie Raimondi (McClymonds High School; Cincinnati Reds), Tony Lazzeri (San Francisco; New York Yankees), Dick Bartell (Alameda High School; New York Giants) and “Cookie” Lavagetto (Oakland; Pittsburgh Pirates, Brooklyn Dodgers). Also briefly visible is Lefty O’Doul (then manager of the San Francisco Seals). See the full box score with the lineups below.
- Tony Lazzeri in All-Star Battle Oakland Tribune October 23, 1936
- Charity Game Draws 4500 to Aid Elk Fund Oakland Tribune October 26, 1936