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O’Malley and the Dodgers received plaudits from 1,200 enthusiastic fans welcoming the Dodgers, despite that afternoon’s 7-4 loss to the Giants. Art Linkletter served as master of ceremonies, while Dinah Shore and Bob Hope provided entertainment. Speakers included Commissioner of Baseball Ford C. Frick and National League President Warren C. Giles, who delivered welcome messages. O’Malley told the crowd, “It’s been a fascinating honeymoon here. Tomorrow, we hold open house in the Coliseum and on June 3 (the date the public votes on Proposition B, to ratify or reject the city’s approved contract with the Dodgers) we hope to make it all legal.” TV personality Linkletter said, “I understand Walter O’Malley is building an ulcer-shaped swimming pool here,” referring to the looming “Proposition B” referendum. Giles said, “O’Malley’s move was a bold one but it was more than that. It’s a solid expression of faith in the people of Los Angeles. We have faith in you folks and I hope you have faith in us.”
Frick told attendees at the banquet, “Being a New Yorker, I have mixed emotions. The Dodgers and Giants coming West is New York’s loss and your gain. We regret that loss. Yet I must confess, this is the greatest move baseball has ever made.”1
The next morning, Friday, April 18, Dodger players and executives assembled in downtown Los Angeles for a 10:30 celebration on the Spring Street steps of City Hall and a huge welcoming parade through the city. Thousands of adoring fans lined the sidewalks and spilled onto the city streets to wish the Dodgers well in their new hometown and in their first home game at the Coliseum. The Dodger players greeted the throng in their thongs, as they wore white rubber shower sandals, and loaded two by two in awaiting convertibles. From downtown, the 22-car Dodger motorcade headed south and west a few miles to the Coliseum for the afternoon game with the San Francisco Giants. The parade route was dotted by “Welcome Dodger” banners and even colorful horse-riding James “Foghorn” Murphy was on the streets with a megaphone shouting “Play ball!”2
At the Coliseum, the festivities were also of a celebratory nature as the pregame ceremonies included Los Angeles Mayor Norris Poulson throwing the first pitch to batter San Francisco Mayor Christopher, who was “booed good-naturedly,” at home plate.3 Poulson had proclaimed “Welcome Dodger Week” beginning April 13. Comedian Joe E. Brown was selected to serve as emcee of the ceremonies, which included introductions of Commissioner Frick and National League President Giles.
The Governor of California Goodwin Knight and Attorney General Pat Brown were also in attendance. Kenneth Hahn, the Los Angeles County Supervisor who was actively involved in helping to bring the Dodgers to L.A., was there. Mayors of all Los Angeles County communities and civic officials were invited guests of the Dodgers in a special “coaches” box section. Mrs. John McGraw, widow of legendary Giants Manager John McGraw was in attendance, as was Hall of Fame outfielder “Wahoo Sam” Crawford. Even songwriter Jack Norworth, who wrote the famous lyrics to “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” 50 years earlier in 1908, was a guest of the Dodgers.
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