Martin Jacobs - San Francisco Seals

During the Pacific Coast Leagues (PCL) initial season, San Franciscos inaugural game was played on Thursday, March 26, 1903, on the Recreation Grounds at Eighth and Harrison Streets. They defeated the Portland Browns, 7-3, behind the pitching of George Hodson, before 5,500 people. They were managed by Charlie Irwin and the team ended the 1903 season in fourth place with a record of 107-11029 games behind Los Angeles. Pitcher Jimmy Whalen pitched in 52 games and posted a 29-21 record and a 2.98 earned run average (ERA) to lead the team. In the early years, the teams name changed frequently. Unofficially they were called the Stars, until 1907 when the team officially became the Seals.

The team survived their first year, but it was far from easy to make a profit. In 1904, rosters fluctuated greatly and it was not unusual for a majority of the players to be gone after one year. Ticket prices increased from 25 to 35. Still, the team slipped to fifth with a 101-117 record. Outfielder and third baseman George Hildebrand (.283) led the team in hitting.

By 1905 the season lasted eight long months, ending in early December. There simply was too much baseball and fans were losing interest. The team, now managed by Parke Wilson, was in the pennant race until the very end. They finished second with a 125-120 recordjust a half game behind the champions Los Angeles. Pitcher Roy Hitt (24-14) was outstanding, while James Whalen led the entire league with 30 victories. First baseman Jim Nelson (.286, 11 triples) sparked the team with his 67 stolen bases.

The team stabilized themselves going into the 1906 season, but then disaster struck the city of San Francisco on April 18 at 5:15 a.m. A massive earthquake and fire devastated the city. The Seals ballpark was destroyed. Play was suspended for two weeks and the leagues head office had to be moved from San Francisco to Oakland. When it seemed the earthquake was the final blow to the struggling league, owner Cal Ewing responded and guaranteed financial stability for his team to cover payroll expenses. Baseball in the city resumed on May 23, but the remaining games would be played at Idora Park in Oakland until a new ballpark could be constructed. By seasons end, the team now nicknamed the Americans, finished the season with a 91-84 record, good enough for fourth place. The 68 stolen bases by second baseman Kid Mohler (.279), as well as outfielder Harry Spencer, led the team. Pitcher Roy Hitt (31-12, 2.03 ERA) was outstanding and posted the most wins.

In 1907, Cal Ewing assumed the league presidency and Danny Long became the new manager. The teams name was officially now the Seals. A new Recreation Park was being constructed in the Mission District at the corner of Fifteenth and Valencia Streets called Old Rec. After all the problems in 1906, the Seals opened their new park on April 6 to a standing-room-only crowd of 10,000. Pitcher John Hickey hurled a complete gamea 4-3 victory over Portland in the morning game of a doubleheader. After a long season, the Seals finished in second place17 games behind Los Angeles. First baseman Nick Williams (.257) led the team, and pitchers Cack Henley (25-16) and Oscar Jones (29-22) each had nine shutouts.

In 1908, not much changed for the Seals. Once again they finished in third place with a 100-104 record. In the interim, future major leaguers helped boost the team. They were catcher Bill Killefer, third baseman Frank Ping Bodie, outfielder Charles Catcher, first baseman Gabby Street, and shortstop Rollie Zeiderwho had a league leading 93 stolen bases. Skilled first baseman Nick Williams (.270) led the team in batting, while second baseman Kid Mohler scored 118 runs. Pitcher Harry Sutor (27-20, 2.13 ERA) achieved 41 complete games.

The Seals won their first pennant in 1909 with the nucleus of a solid, competitive team. Excellent pitching and a superb defense compensated for average hitting. Behind Cack Henley (31-10, 1.61 ERA), Frank Browning (30-16, 2.06 ERA), right fielder Henry Melchior (.298), shortstop Rollie Zeider (.289), and Ping Bodie (10 home runs), the Seals won 132 games and lost 80finishing 13 games in front of Portland.

Danny Longs 1910 Seals were much the same team as his champions from the previous year, though the Seals slipped to third place with a 115-106 record9 games back of Portland. The season highlights were pitcher Cack Henleys 35-19 record and 1.86 ERA; outfielder Ping Bodies 30 home runs; infielder Ossie Vitts 42 stolen bases; and infielder Hunky Shaws .281 batting average to lead the PCL.

Danny Long was a longtime resident of Oakland and an outfielder during the 1890s. In 1907, Long was hired by owner Cal Ewing to be secretary and to manage the Seals. His tenure lasted seven years and included the teams first pennant in 1909.

Pictured here is the opening-day game program, March 26, 1903, from Recreation Park at Eighth and Harrison Street. The Seals beat the Portland Browns 7-3 before a crowd of 5,500.

The 1909 Seals, managed by Parke Wilson, finished in second place with a 132-80 record. Pictured here, from left to right, are: (top row) Ping Bodie, Tom Tennant, Roy McArdle, Rollie Zeider, Henry Melchoir, Joe Corbett, and Nick Williams; (bottom row) Jimmy Lewis, Kid Mohler, Claude Berry, Frank Browning, Howard Mundorff, and Cack Henley.