This Day in Walter O’Malley History:
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Walter O’Malley writes a letter to John T. Clancy, President of the Queens Chamber of Commerce in Long Island City, New York. “It was with considerable interest that I read the article in the Long Island Daily Press, Wednesday, July 13th, but how about letting me in on the secret. As the matter now stands I would have to deny the story, if a newspaperman queried me...In any event it is good to know that there is such a thing as a live wire Chamber of Commerce and that it is thinking along progressive lines in order to help its community. The Dodgers are presently negotiating for a site in Brooklyn where traditionally, the team belongs. If negotiations bog down, however, there is no reason why Queens or the Nassau-Suffolk area or some other site, would not, of necessity, have to be considered.”
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Renowned cartoonist Willard Mullin depicts Walter O’Malley in shock by the decision of Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Arnold Praeger to reverse the “Proposition B” victory of the Dodgers and the City of Los Angeles, temporarily voiding the previously approved contract between the parties. The action was as a result of two taxpayers’ suits to block the city ordinance passed in 1957 and the ratified “Proposition B” referendum on June 3. The Brooklyn Bum standing behind O’Malley whispers in his ear, “Ain’t there not no fine print, Walter, where yez c’n read betreen th’ lines?” The Mullin cartoon’s heading, “Decision or TKO?” World-Telegram and Sun, July 15, 1958
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Tom Harmon, the Heisman Trophy-winning halfback from the University of Michigan and a top sportscaster, sends a letter as President of the Southern California Sports Broadcasters Association to Walter O’Malley regarding plans for new Dodger Stadium. Harmon says, “First off, congratulations on finally getting things under way for your new stadium. I need not repeat how happy all of the sports broadcasters are that the fight appears to have finally been won...I would like to request that the broadcasters might be given some consideration when plans are formulated for the radio and television press facilities as well as some type of consideration for their working press facilities. I know that very few times do folks remember that altho (sp.) there are not twenty or thirty broadcasts coming from a stadium on the play by play of the game, there are still many broadcasters who cover the games for their own shows. Thanks again Walter for everything in the past. The cooperation of the Dodgers has been great and as always, we will do anything that we can to prove to you that this is the nations (sp.) top sports town of broadcasters...as well as the home of the finest baseball organization...the Dodgers.” O’Malley responds to Harmon stating in part, “Dick Walsh (stadium operations) and Red Patterson (public relations) have in mind that they will go over the detailed plans with you to make sure that we have not overlooked anything for the comfort and convenience of working or visiting sports broadcasters. The same arrangement will be followed out with respect to the writers and photographers.”
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Walter O’Malley sends a letter to Harry L. Lander of Lander Products, Inc. in Trenton, New Jersey. “Recently I have been trying to get someone to make up a golf ball that looks like a baseball even to an imprint of the stitches. Enclosed is a photograph of what I mean. It seems to me that this would be tremendous conversation piece and could be a good item for holiday presents. The golf ball could have the usual dimples but the imprint of the stitches and the baseball team script name would make it unique. Be good enough to let me know if this is something that might interest you as our initial order would be in the neighborhood of 100 dozen balls. Should the quality of the ball and the finished effect be what I have in mind I am sure that the other baseball clubs would be interested.” Lander created the Long Play golf ball made with a vulcanized rubber center to last for hundreds of rounds without losing its characteristics.
