1918 Oaks Opener: Doraldina Steals the Show

Swing into spring with this silent 1918 footage of the Oakland Oaks baseball season opener on April 2 in Oakland, California, pitting the Oaks against the San Francisco Seals. A lively auto parade kicks off the day—old-fashioned cars roll down city streets, led by one waving an American flag, followed by a truck proclaiming “Baseball Opening,” as onlookers cheer. The Oaks line up along the dugout, sporting Red Cross patches, with vaudeville star Doraldina—dressed in a team uniform—standing proud as the ceremonial pitcher. She warms up her arm with flair, tossing the first pitch to legendary catcher “Pop” Anson, while players watch the American flag rise over the stadium, an ad for “J. Crosby Republican Nomination Congress” in view. Captured in crisp black-and-white, this reel blends sport and spectacle, a gem for baseball buffs, silent film fans, and Oakland history enthusiasts, spotlighting a dancer’s diamond debut.