Welcome to the Oakland Oaks' Spring Training Camp. The year is 1948. The months are February and March. The place is San Fernando, California. Click on the links below to relive the unforgettable pre-season with the Oakland Oaks of 1948.

• The First Two Months. Casey Stengel seeks to add rookies to his line-up of regulars. He arranges for two early unscheduled games with U.S.C. and the Los Angeles Police to give the rookies experience. The Oaks meet other PCL teams in San Fernando, Anaheim, and Phoenix, then return to Emeryville to face major league and local college teams.

• Coach John Babich Takes the Players Through the Drill. Coach Babich plays the game of "hi-lo" with Will Hafey, Les Scarsella, Nick Etten, and Ralph Buxton to sharpen their fielding skills and build up their conditioning.

• Nick Etten Returns. Oaks first baseman, Nick Etten, who asked that the Oaks find him a family home, refutes rumors that he would not return to the Oaks.

• Pitchers. Meet the pitchers that Casey Stengel was relying on in Spring Training to carry the Oaks to the Pacific Coast League pennant in 1948.

• Casey's Starting Line-Up. By the first week of March, Casey appears to have found the group which will open the league schedule. They are Loyd Christopher in center, Brooks Holder in left, Dario Lodigiani at second, Merrill Combs at third, Ray Hamrick at shortstop, Les Scarsella in right, Billy Raimondi behind the plate, and Nick Etten at first.

• Opening Day. Casey finally decides on the lineup for the season opener against the Portland Beavers. They are: 1. Brooks Holder, left field; 2. Merrill Combs, third base; 3. Lloyd Christopher, center field; 4. Les Scarsella, right field; 5. Nick Etten, first base; 6. Eddie Samcoff, second base; 7. Ray Hamrick, shortstop; 8. Billy Raimondi, catcher; and 9. Will "Junior" Hafey, starting pitcher.