Alameda Elks Charity Baseball Game

Between 1930 and 1954, the Alameda Elks Lodge hosted the Majors vs Minors charity baseball game which featured some of the biggest baseball stars of the day. The game was the idea of Alameda Elks lodge member and local semi-pro baseball manager Manuel Duarte and served as a fundraiser for local Alameda charities. An all-star team made up of MLB players would play against an all-star team of minor league players. The games were held in October and were played at Oaks Ball Park in neighboring Emeryville to accommodate the large crowds. Baseball stars and Alameda Elks Lodge members Dick Bartell and Johnny Vergez were instrumental in the success of the game over the years and participated as organizers, players and coaches throughout the history of the event.

The Majors vs Minors game was such a well-run event that Commissioner Mountain Kenesaw Landis granted the Alameda Elks Lodge special concessions to use major league players, who were not supposed to participate in such games no later then 10 days after the World Series ended. The game was nationally renowned and cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco started charity games of their own although they never reached the popularity of the Alameda Elks game.

Here is a list of some of the players that participated in the game over the years: Joe DiMaggio, Tony Lazzeri, Chick Hafey, Lefty O'Doul, Ernie Lombardi, Cookie Lavagetto, Eddie Joost, Lefty Gomez, Joe Cronin, Taylor Douthit, Gus Suhr, Monte Pearson, Sam Chapman, Jackie Jensen, Vince DiMaggio, Dom DiMaggio, Myril Hoag, Casey Stengel, Dolph Camili, Bill Rigney, Augie Galan, Johnny Pesky, Vern Stephens, Gil MacDougal, Billy Martin, Jerry Coleman, Bob Lemon, Charlie Silvera, Bill Serena, Bill MacDonald, Ralph Kiner, Ted Kluszewski, Billy Raimondi, Smead Jolley, Ferris Fain, Andy Carey, Leo Thomas, Lou Vezelich, Dutch Lieber, and many others...

Alameda Elks Charity Baseball Programs & Photos