Oakland Larks Baseball Hat

[eastonfalcon19]

I found this hat last year at the flea market. I was just looking at Ebbets Field Flannels and saw this hat on there. The hat was worn by the Oakland Larks in the west coast negro baseball league.

[vintagesportscollector]

That's very cool Ron. It does look very similar to the hat on EFF. You have such great luck at Flea Markets. You must call me up one day...I'd gladly drive the 90 mins to tag along with you ;).

[eastonfalcon19]

Thanks Joe. I would love to pick with you one of these days. Where do you live?

[pariah1107]

WOW! Here's an image of Larks catcher Albert "Smiley" Clayton. If you have a name or number on the inside of the hat, I can probably help you out with the player as I've done quite a bit of research on the Larks; especially Smiley Clayton and Foy Scott. The Larks also barnstormed for a couple seasons after the west coast negro leagues folded....

http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w415/pariah1107/c8nz88zz-JPEG1_zps9penzrvy.jpg

[btcarfagno]

That sure does look like it.

Holy crap!!!

Tom C

[packs]

Damn. That's a hell of a find!

[eastonfalcon19]

Thanks everyone for the kind words.

Ty there is no number that I can find. The sweatband is gone so there might of been a number on there.

[pariah1107]

Ron, It's still an incredible flea market find! Congratulations.

Here are partial rosters for the 1946 & 1947 Oakland Larks just in case:

1946 Oakland Larks (West Coast Negro League)

Jim West, Player/Manager
Charles "Specs" Roberts, right handed pitcher
Lionel Wilson, left handed pitcher
Wade James, pitcher
Marion "Sugar" Cain
"Wee" Willlie Jones
Albert "Smiley" Clayton
Demery
Mays
Poole
Allen
Reid

1947 Oakland Larks (barnstormers)

Specs Roberts
Smiley Clayton
Foy Scott, right handed pitcher
Sugar Cain
Flowers
Jenkins
Allen
Colthrist
Charles

Here's an article on Lionel Wilson from SABR & if you get a chance check out the Shadowball Express blog which is loaded with great Bay Area black baseball history:
http://sabr.org/latest/miyamoto-mayor-lionel-wilson-s-life-and-times-oakland-larks