This Day in Walter O’Malley History: December 31

Walter O’Malley writes a lengthy column on a variety of Dodger and baseball topics, as told to Joe Hendrickson, in the “New Year’s Edition — 1965” of the Pasadena Star-News. Part of what O’Malley writes includes, “The Los Angeles Dodgers are happy here. There have been a few problems — baseball is a difficult although exciting business. But we are looking to the future with enthusiasm. Our pennant and world championship pace of winning the whole jackpot once every three or four years is something we want to keep up...Since the Dodgers came to Los Angeles, the area has truly become the Sports Capital of the World with a second major league baseball team, major league basketball, excellent professional hockey and an additional football league moving into Southern California. The fears of some that the Dodgers would dominate the sports picture have proved unfounded. If anything, our arrival on the scene has spurred new sports prosperity in the area...I wish to clarify my feelings about the Los Angeles Angels leaving Dodger Stadium. It is no surprise to me that they exercised their option to leave Dodger Stadium. When we drew up their original rental agreement, dates were set up when the Angels could review their status and move if they desired. I agree with Bob Reynolds that it will be good for the Angels to establish their own identity, and I think they will do well in Anaheim. If they are successful, it may lead to major league baseball coming to San Diego...Their rent of 7 1/2 per cent of their ticket sales was 25 per cent less than the rent we paid at the Coliseum (10 per cent) before we built Dodger Stadium. When the agreement was drawn with the Angels, I wanted to be sure there was no room for criticism. A board of other major league owners was set up to review the terms. Several on this board said they would like to have such an agreement for rental in their cities when new stadiums are built...Our parking fee of $1 per car has been assailed by some critics. Also criticized was the fact that we kept the parking income from Angel games. It should be realized that this is taxed land — and that our corporation profits are also taxed. We need parking revenue to meet these obligations. It is understandable that tax-free stadium facilities such as Milwaukee’s could provide lesser parking fees...With the Angels leaving, we will attempt to seek other events for Dodger Stadium. Already we are in negotiation with exhibitors who intend to bring large trade shows and events of this type...into Dodger Stadium.” Walter O’Malley as told to Joe Hendrickson, Pasadena Star-News, December 31, 1965