He was then promoted to the San Francisco Seals and had a 5–1 record and a 1.86 earned run average (ERA) in 16 games during the 1920 season.

The hostility began when Babe Ruth "stiff armed" Cole on a play at first base in the top of the seventh inning.

[6] In the top of the ninth inning, Cole "dusted" off Ruth and then struck Bob Meusel in the back with a pitched ball.

The players continued milling and fighting, and Detroit police officers entered the field of play to restore order.

When the police were unable to clear the field, umpire Billy Evans declared the game forfeited to the Yankees.

A writer in the Detroit Free Press noted: "No such disorder as that which prevented the completion of the game has been recorded in the history of modern baseball.

"[8] The next day, American League president Ban Johnson announced indefinite suspensions of Cole and Meusel.

Instead, on June 20, 1928, the Portland club traded Cole with an outfielder to be named later to the Seattle Indians in exchange for pitcher Jack Knight.

[13] In January 1929, fulfilling his desire to play for a San Francisco team, Cole signed a contract with the Mission Reds.

In 1934, he pitched for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League, then returned to the PCL with the San Francisco Seals in 1935, playing alongside Joe DiMaggio in his final season of professional baseball.