Casey and the Nine Old Men: The Oakland Oaks of 1948

A group of old-timers, led by a 58-year-old manager considered by many to be a has been, they were belittled and ridiculed by their big city rivals across the bay. Few but their staunchest supporters gave Casey Stengel's "Nine Old Men" any chance to win the championship which had eluded Oakland fans for 21 years. Yet, in that memorable 1948 season, this team without a single league leader in any category made baseball history. This half-hour video tells the story. For more, visit oaklandoaks.tri....

[@marksuddjian4570]

Thanks so much. Really enjoyed! Been an A's fan since 1970 and I kind of wonder how some of the newer A's fans don't appreciate the early A's days. But I know very little about the Oaks and that was just ~20 years prior.

[@ldfreitas9437]

The San Francisco Seals won 14 PCL championships compared to the measly 3 of the Oaks, who played their home games in Emeryville, occasionally playing at Seals Stadium in SF when a bigger crowd was expected. They were the first "Oakland" team to use SF facilities, as the Raiders were to play at Kezar and Candlestick in 1960 and 61.

[@hughjones6300]

I got to see many of the games. I lived in Richmond. We would ride our bikes to the games or take the bus. A guard would help us sneak into the park. There were two fences. You had to stand on one and the guard would help you to the other one. Some kid fell between and that ended the fun. One of my friends stole Brooks Holders bat. We were amazed at how light it was. Our bats were heavier. I played sandlot against Pumpsie Green How you gonna forget a name like that? I remember Casey taking his cap off and a bird flew out. When we stayed home we listened on RADIO!!

[@Nostalgist1938]

Some priceless memories!

[@iljackb]

There is a field in Oakland today that I've played on many times named after Billy Raimondi.. Awesome to learn the origin of the name! Oakland has a great baseball history!

[@Nostalgist1938]

The field is actually named after his brother Ernie Raimondi, who was killed in the War before his baseball career could fully blossom.

[@tomsmith5216]

My brother took me to an Oaks game that year. I was 4.

[@MrLiveWest]

Its 2020, I drive by the oaks card club and pixar studios almost daily and never knew a baseball team used to play there. I am 27. ...Baseball is a game of stories, and who knows how many stories happened in this now industrial city. really cool

[@ldfreitas9437]

Located in Emeryville.

[@johnharms6178]

my friend Don Simon was a neighbor to John Babich- Don has some good baseball stories about Babich-

[@willycarr4957]

reading a book on Billy and I wish I was around this time. baseball played with a different kind of pride. rip to the better years of baseball

[@eastonpeter1242]

A wonderful time at 10-12 years old, thinking the Seattle Rainiers were the best baseball team in America. I really didn't know of the National and American leagues. Leo Lassen was in bed with me on the radio for all the away games. KZbin has reunited me with my heroes.

[@loyaldude10]

nxt year Casey was named Yankees manager. over next 12 yrs, he won 10 pennants, and 7 WS titles.

[@dr.migalitoloveless1651]

I like these stories of the old PCL. The PCL was probably the best of all the minor leagues.

[@ldfreitas9437]

Actually the third major league.

[@ldfreitas9437]

The San Francisco Seals were by far the more successful team of the old PCL. In fact, because their field in Emeryville (not Oakland) was so small, when a big crowd was expected, Seals Stadium would be loaned out to the Oaks.

[@detective29]

Never heard this story. Plenty of books on the majors and the occasional book of "factoids" on minor league baseball but very little on the old PCL. Thanks for posting!

[@gabbyhyman1246]

Boys of summer my eye! That title belongs to Brooklyn.

[@ldfreitas9437]

East Coast bias much?

[@patthecatman]

nick etten, herschel martin...both, i remember, with the war-time yankees. etten had been with the phila. phillies before.. i knew the Schnozz right away...easily spotted

[@areguapiri]

A 578 feet home run???? Yeah, right!

[@TheBatugan77]

It's a fact. Another fact... You need to check yourself. Or you'll get a steel toed boot jammed up your ass.

[@TheBatugan77]

👺👺👺👺👺

[@npsParks]

Pumsie Green

[@willbygosh4887]

Might as well bring back the Oakland Oaks as a minor league team since the A's are leaving.

[@Nostalgist1938]

The 1948 Oaks could definitely beat the 2023 A’s.

[@richiemartinez8078]

Bud foster= micheal Pineda.

[@Nostalgist1938]

"Bud" Foster was born Wilson Keene Foster, in Seattle, Washington at the end of World War I. He started in radio in 1934, When World War II broke out he became a war correspondent for NBC, and he lost his leg in Okinawa while covering the Marine invasion. He began broadcasting the Oaks games in 1945.