Pete Lohman
Oakland's first manager after the creation of the Pacific Coast League was a former catcher for the Washington Senators named George F. "Pete" Lohman. He played only one year in the majors, in 1891. As was typical for the time, in addition to catching, over the season he also played every other position except pitcher and first base. At the plate, he had a major league batting average of .193.

Born in Washington County, Minnesota, on October 21, 1864, Lohman was 39 years old when the Pacific Coast League was formed in 1903, and as a veteran catcher and manager of the Oakland Baseball Club, which had won the California League championship in 1902, he was chosen to manage the team in the first season of the newly formed Pacific Coast League.

Oakland opened its first PCL season in Sacramento. Local businesses closed at 2 p.m. so their workers could attend the event. Governor George Pardee was on hand among the 3000 fans that watched Sacramento defeat Lohman's Oaks 7-3.

Under Lohman, Oakland finished its first season in last place, 89 - 126, 46 games behind Los Angeles. He managed the team for only one more year, but continued as a player for the team for the next two years under manager George Van Haltren.


In the photo above, Pete Lohman's Oakland team rides through the streets of Sacramento
on Opening Day 1903. In the background is the State House Hotel at 10th and K Streets.
Visit The Oakland Oaks webpage. (c) Copyright William B. Shubb, 1999.