March of Dimes Charity Baseball Game

Between 1953 and 1969, the Alameda Parks and Recreation Department (ARPD) hosted a charity baseball game that benefited the March of Dimes. The game featured many of the top, local baseball stars of the day. Lil Arnerich, ARPD Director and former minor league baseball player, coordinated this annual charity game. For the first few years of the event, an all-star team made up of major & minor league players would play against a top, local semi-pro team. Later on a team of major league stars would play against a team of minor league stars. Arnerich himself played in the game the first few years while he was still playing semi-pro ball for Lucky Lager. The game was generally held in early to mid-February, prior to the start of spring training, and was played at Washington Park. Extra bleachers were brought in to accommodate the large crowds that the game would attract.

It is historically important to note that the March of Dimes charity game featured many local black baseball players of the day. Even though Jackie Robinson had broken baseball's color barrier in 1947, it wouldn't be until 1959 that major league baseball had been fully integrated. The progressiveness shown by Arnerich in the early years of the game went a long way in making this annual charity game popular among players and fans.

Here is a list of some of the players that participated in the game over the years: Willie Mays, Willie Stargell, Frank Robinson, Joe Morgan, Billy Martin, Jackie Jensen, Curt Flood, Andy Carey, Bill Serena, Pumpsie Green, Leo Thomas, Vada Pinson, Tommy Harper, Curt Motton, Charlie Beamon, Rudy May, Jim Longborg, Jackie Tobin, Jay Porter, Bill Renna, Earl Robinson, Jim Gentile, Don Mossi, Art Schallock, Ernie Broglio, Ron Hansen, Gino Cimoli, Joe Gaines, Chris Cannizzaro, Don Pries, Ray Perry, Dan Bankhead, Bob Roselli, Leon Wagner, Jesse Gonder, Ron Theobald, Steve Brye, Bernie Williams, George Mitterwald, Bud Harrelson, and many others...

Game results:

February 8, 1953: Billy Martin All-Stars (2) vs Lucky Lager (3)

February 7, 1954: Billy Martin All-Stars (2) vs Lucky Lager (4)

February 6, 1955: Andy Carey All-Stars (8) vs Lucky Lager (7)

February 12, 1956: Major-Minor All-Stars (7) vs Lucky Lager (2)

February 3, 1957: Major-Minor All-Stars (4) vs Lucky Lager (9)

February 16, 1958: Major-Minor All-Stars (6) vs Lucky Lager (0)

February 8, 1959: Major-Minor All-Stars (2) vs Oakland California Towel (3)

February 14, 1960: Major-Minor All-Stars (2) vs Ben's Tavern (1)

February 19, 1961: Billy Martin All-Stars (2) vs Ben's Tavern (6)

January 29, 1962: Major-Minor All-Stars (5) vs N.B.C. Winter League Stars (3)

February 17, 1963: Ernie Broglio All-Stars (6) vs La Fiesta Minor Leaguers (2)

February 2, 1964: Major League All-Stars (7) vs Minor League All-Stars (3)

January 31, 1965: Major-Minor All-Stars (11) vs Alameda Winter League All-Stars (1)

February 6, 1966: Major League All-Stars (4) vs Minor League All-Stars (7)

February 12, 1967: Major League All-Stars (3) vs Minor League All-Stars (3)

February 11, 1968: Major League All-Stars (9) vs Minor League All-Stars (1)

February 16, 1969: Major League All-Stars (2) vs Minor League All-Stars (1)