This Day in Walter O’Malley History:

  • Walter O’Malley, representing the Society of Allied Building Trades, claims the New York City Board of Aldermen needed to provide prompt attention to the new building codes proposed by the Merchants’ Association or construction will remain dormant. New York American, June 3, 1933

  • Millicent C. McIntosh, President of Barnard College in New York, writes a letter to Walter O’Malley thanking him for his support in providing the all-women’s school with funding for a student scholarship. O’Malley donated 500 seats at Ebbets Field to the Barnard Club in Brooklyn to sell, with proceeds going towards the scholarship presented to a Brooklyn freshman at Barnard. McIntosh writes, “The Club are (sp.) most enthusiastic about the possibility of selling these seats again for the benefit of another scholarship. Would it be possible for you to repeat your generous act for sometime in September, 1955?”

  • Walter O’Malley explains the importance of approving “Proposition B” referendum on sportscaster Mark Scott’s special two-hour TV debate on KCOP Channel 13. Along with O’Malley, Los Angeles Mayor Norris Poulson, L.A. City Councilwoman Rosalind Wiener Wyman, L.A. City Councilmen Pat McGee, John Holland and James C. Corman and opposition leader John “Black Jack” Smith are also featured guests. A programming note — the debate replaced “Chicago Wrestling” for one night! O’Malley made the rounds that day as he also was interviewed for FOX Movietone News, KTTV Channel 11 and KHJ-TV.

  • The “silent” Marx brother, Harpo, sends this telegram to Walter O’Malley regarding the next day’s “Proposition B” referendum by Los Angeles voters to approve or disapprove of the previously signed contract between the City of L.A. and the Dodgers: “All the Marx Brothers, which includes me, are on the Yes side of Proposition B, because it is right, fair and just. Hooray for our side. Harpo Marx.”

  • Walter O’Malley is in Florida to attend the funeral of longtime friend and Dodger Director Bud Holman at the Community Church of Vero Beach. O’Malley’s son Peter serves as a pallbearer. In 1953, O’Malley named the Dodgertown ballpark “Holman Stadium” in honor of the influential businessman most responsible for attracting the Dodgers to Vero Beach for Spring Training activities beginning in 1948. Holman, who led a group of Vero Beach citizens to build the city’s first airport in 1929, was also a director of Eastern Air Lines.

  • At the Old-timers Day Luncheon at Dodger Stadium, Chairman of the Board Walter O’Malley tells the former players, “You have made it possible for baseball to survive...it is you who have kept the message before the public that this is the great American game.” When O’Malley’s wife Kay is introduced by emcee Dodger Vice President, Public Relations Red Patterson, she receives a rousing ovation. Eleven players who are in the National Baseball Hall of Fame were to participate in the Old-timers Game, which features former Dodgers against a team of other major league stars, at Dodger Stadium the next day. Joe Hendrickson, Pasadena Star-News, June 3, 1973