This Day in Walter O’Malley History:

  • In a letter to partner and Dodger President Branch Rickey, Walter O’Malley informs him that “I transmitted an offer to Brooklyn Trust Company re: the proposed purchase of the so-called 50% of the Ball Club stock. I am enclosing a copy of my letter to the Brooklyn Trust Company which is self-explanatory.” Rickey, O’Malley and Andrew Schmitz, a prominent Brooklyn insurance executive, purchased 25 percent of the Dodger stock on November 1, 1944 from the estate of former part-owner Ed McKeever. The triumvirate was attempting to increase its holding to 75 percent of the Dodger stock, which occurred on August 13, 1945.

  • Los Angeles County Supervisor, Second District Kenneth Hahn writes a letter to Walter O’Malley stating, “I am sending you some of the pictures taken during your helicopter inspection of the conditions in Los Angeles (on May 2). We certainly enjoyed your visit while you were here.”

  • Due to the running of the popular Kentucky Derby horse race, Walter O’Malley orders an interruption in the Dodger-Pirate game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum so the crowd could listen to a live broadcast of the race. At the end of the sixth inning, the game is put on hold for about a minute. The much-anticipated race includes West Coast sensation Silky Sullivan, who couldn’t keep up with the leaders and finished 12th, while Tim Tam won by half a length. However, the impatient umpires request the teams back to the field and order “play ball,” while the public address system continues the broadcast. “The Derby is an American tradition,” said O’Malley. Washington Post, May 4, 1958

  • Walter O’Malley writes a letter to Yomiuri Giants Manager and friend Shigeru Mizuhara in which he states, “Mr. Yamamoto called on me in Los Angeles and delivered the Yomiuri Giant pennant which will be added to my mementos. While here he noticed on my desk a baseball and trophy. The baseball was autographed by many of the Japanese players and he showed great interest in it...We consider you a great manager and your record of success is well deserved. Our players join in sending you and your team members best wishes.” Mizuhara was inducted into the Japan Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977, having captured five Japan Series titles (including one with the Toei Flyers).

  • Walter O’Malley sends a memo to his Dodger Department Heads that “Jeane Hoffman (McIntosh) has been retained by me ‘on special assignment.’ She will be furnished an office and will have Department Head courtesies. Calling cards will read ‘Assistant to the President.’” Hoffman was assigned to book events, other than baseball, at Dodger Stadium for 1966. Hoffman formerly was a sportswriter and cartoonist for the Los Angeles Times and the Los Angeles Mirror and executive editor of The Police Gazette.

  • Walter O’Malley honors Dodger Manager Walter Alston by making a contribution to the Miami University of Ohio baseball scholarship program. Alston earned his college degree in 1932 from Miami University of Ohio (in Oxford). Under Alston, the Dodgers won four World Series titles (1955, 1959, 1963 and 1965).

  • Walter O’Malley attends the Boy Scouts Golf Tournament at Wilshire Country Club. O’Malley had a particular appreciation for the role that the Boy Scouts of America plays in society. He was a member of the Boy Scouts in New York.