May 22 in Walter O’Malley History

May 22, 1952
After scoring a National League record 15 runs in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds on May 21, Walter O’Malley was so thrilled with the team’s performance that he went to his greenhouse at home and brought beautiful orchids for all of the ladies in the Dodger front office the next day. The Dodgers won the game, 19-1.
May 22, 1958
Responding to National League President Warren Giles’ claims that he would take immediate steps to relocate the Dodgers to another city, if Los Angeles voters do not pass the June 3 referendum “Proposition B,” Walter O’Malley says he may have to meet face-to-face with Giles. “I am deeply concerned over the implications contained in President Giles’ statement and it may be desirable for me to see him in person immediately,” said O’Malley. “The Dodgers want to stay out of politics and we wish politics were not involved in baseball at this time. We entered into the contract (with the City of Los Angeles) in good faith and believe, as do Mayor Norris Poulson, the County Supervisors, a substantial majority of the City Council and many prominent organizations and individuals, that it is a good and fair contract both for Los Angeles and the Dodgers. I remain hopeful that the voters will agree, when the referendum comes up June 3. I believe they will.” Al Wolf, Los Angeles Times, May 23, 1958
May 22, 1964
Walter O’Malley, who always kept close watch on the Dodgers, writes George A. Wagner, President of KFI Radio in Los Angeles, a 50,000-watt clear channel powerhouse: “On June 5, I am flying to Tromso, Norway where I will pick up a small boat and will then go deeper into the Arctic on a hunting and fishing trip. I have some pretty good portable radios with AM, FM and short wave, and I am wondering if you think there is any chance at all that I might be able to get the KFI signal in this remote area...Have you any suggestions as to the best type of radio to take or in your opinion is the whole idea impossible?”
May 22, 1967
In his letter to entertainer Dean Martin, Walter O’Malley writes about the Dodgertown Golf Club in Vero Beach, Florida: “By the way, here is your Membership Card in the only all free fun course in the world. I built 9 holes for the players, no one pays dues, greens fees or what not and I have the privilege of changing the sand trap locations each time I go around the course.”
May 22, 1976
United States Supreme Court Justice Harry A. Blackmun and his wife Dorothy are dinner and Dodger game guests of Walter O’Malley. The Dodgers defeated the Houston Astros, 6-5.