(Baseball Hall of Fame ) Cap worn by Oakland ace Jim "Catfish" Hunter while throwing a perfect game against the Minnesota Twins on May 8, 1968.
"Baseball As America" showing in Oakland
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OCTOBER 21, 2005
By Happynews Staff

Oakland, Oct.21 (Baseball Hall of Fame) -
"Baseball As America", the first traveling exhibit featuring artifacts from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, has opened in the Bay Area, at the Oakland Museum of California. "Baseball As America" weaves artifacts from baseball history to explore the game's unique impact on American culture.
"Baseball As America" will be at the Oakland Museum of California from September 17, 2005 through January 22, 2006.
Attending the opening of BAA at the Oakland Museum were Hall of Fame members Steve Carlton, Orlando Cepeda, Juan Marichal, Willie McCovey and Joe Morgan. Morgan grew up in the Bay area and played for both the A's and Giants during his career; Carlton pitched part of one season for the Giants; Cepeda, Marichal and McCovey starred for the Giants for several seasons, and McCovey also played for Oakland briefly.
For the first time ever, more than 500 artifacts from The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum have left Cooperstown, New York, and are traveling to world class museums across the nation. From the legendary 'Doubleday baseball' to a promotional ball rescued from the rubble of the World Trade Center, Baseball As America is packed with the artifacts, history and compelling stories.
As a feature of "Baseball As America" during its run in Oakland, the Hall of Fame has included a section titled "The Game Goes West," highlighting baseball’s special relationship with Oakland.
The 1850s Gold Rush drew easterners to California in search of treasure. But easterners also brought a treasure: Baseball. The game quickly took root. By 1888, San Francisco had produced one of the game’s most durable icons when the Examiner published Ernest Thayer’s immortal poem, "Casey at the Bat."
California’s first organized team, San Francisco’s Eagle Club, took to the diamond in 1859. Minor leagues began forming by 1885, with the Pacific Coast League (founded in 1903) quickly becoming dominant. Often a stepping-stone to the majors, the Pacific Coast League nurtured players such as Joe DiMaggio, who played three seasons for the San Francisco Seals in the 1930s.
In 1958, the San Francisco Giants brought major league ball to the Bay Area, taking the National League pennant four times. A decade later, the Athletics jumped from Kansas City to Oakland, going on to win four World Series. The clubs faced one another in the 1989 Fall Classic, interrupted by a devastating earthquake. Yet no quake has ever shaken the devotion of Bay Area fans, who have cheered the game for 150 years.
Some of the many artifacts in Baseball As America pertaining to baseball in the Bay Area include:
- Decal featuring the Oakland Oaks logo (c. 1952).
- Ball from the last out in the 54-year history of the San Francisco Seals.
- 1957 Bumper sticker commemorating the earthquake that shook Candlestick Park during Game Three of the 1989 World Series.
- Jersey worn during the 1974 World Series by A’s pitcher Rollie Fingers, who earned Series MVP honors.
- Oakland A’s cap worn by Dennis Eckersley when he became the sixth reliever in history to record 300 career saves, May 24, 1995.
- Bat swung by Oakland first baseman Mark McGwire for his 39th home run in 1987, breaking the old rookie mark (finished the season with 49).
- Glove used by Oakland Athletics ace Vida Blue when he pitched a no-hitter on September 21, 1970 against the Twins.
- Ball hurled by Athletics pitcher Dave Stewart for a no-hitter, June 29, 1990 versus Toronto.
- Spikes worn by Reggie Jackson during the 1973 World Series, when he hit a two-run homer in Game Seven.
- Cap worn by San Francisco Giants pitcher Juan Marichal during the 1969 season, when he led the league with a 2.10 ERA.
- Cap donned by Gaylord Perry while throwing a no-hitter against St. Louis on September 17, 1968.
- Bat swung by Giants slugger Willie McCovey to hit his 520th career home run, August 25, 1979.
- Bat used by the Giants’ "Say Hey Kid," Willie Mays, to hit four home runs in one game on April 30, 1961.
- Spikes worn by Giants slugger Barry Bonds on August 23, 1998, when he became the first player with 400 homers and 400 stolen bases.
- Baseball used during the first major league game on the West Coast, April 15, 1958.
- Booklet published in 1957 by San Francisco’s Committee for Major League Baseball, designed to attract a franchise to the city.
The story of the 1989 World Series between the A's and Giants, which was interrupted by the tragic earthquake in the Bay Area, is also told. In addition, there are artifacts celebrating San Francisco's rich minor league history.
For details, visit baseballasamerica.org and the Oakland Museum of California.
The national tour of Baseball As America is sponsored by Ernst & Young.