Today it is hard to imagine a big league team taking the time out of their schedule to play a game against a town team or college nine but in the years leading up to World War II such David and Goliath matchups were fairly common. Major League teams not only used these exhibition games to make much needed revenue during off-days in their schedule but to also try out new prospects and let the scrubs get into a game.

On April 14, 1910 the Boston Red Sox played one of these exhibitions against the varsity nine from Harvard at American League Grounds. It is not recorded what the final score was but the Sox were listed as having a dozen hits off the Harvard boys. This impressive panoramic photograph was taken before the game. Both teams are lined up facing the photographer the Harvard team donned in a motley variety of baseball togs while the Red Sox are the image of a real professional ballclub in their brand-new home whites and matching wool sweaters. The pre-Fenway American League Park provides a majestic background to this picturesque slice of the Old Game. Measuring [10 1/2"] by [53 1/4"] framed this panoramic has a pleasing sepia tone and is in very good condition with some slight edge wear. There is some scuffing and dings to the nice wooden frame that adds to the display quality of the piece.