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During the public dedication ceremonies, broadcaster Vin Scully raved about the acoustics as the stadium’s public address system was in stereo. The system was installed by a West German company using plans from the same engineer who designed the acoustical system in the La Scala Opera House in Milan.
“Even when I saw the plans and watched the park grow, I still can’t believe it,” Commissioner Frick said. “It’s like a dream come true.”
Giles said the ballpark exceeded his already high expectations. “It is a material expression of the future of the Dodgers and major league baseball in Los Angeles,” Giles said. “I think it took a lot of courage on Mr. O’Malley’s part.”3
O’Malley told Los Angeles Times columnist Sid Ziff, “I’m pretty relaxed and very pleased for the first time in weeks. I haven’t slept for a month.”
In addition to the Dodger Stadium opening, the morning sports pages looked to the East Coast as the New York Yankees’ “M&M Boys,” Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, took aim on another home run derby after they combined for 115 home runs (Maris 61; Mantle 54) during the expanded 162-game schedule in 1961. The newspapers planned to carry a daily box with comparisons to Babe Ruth’s 60 home runs during a 154-game schedule in 1927.
And the Times sports section display ads touted the Ben Rudnick Tire Co. on South Flower Street in Los Angeles, which offered B.F. Goodrich white tubeless tires for $13.95, plus tax. Martin Leasing on Sunset Blvd. featured monthly deals on new model cars ranging from $169.50 for a Continental to $82.60 for an Impala.
Manager Fred Hutchinson’s Cincinnati Reds, flying in from Ohio by chartered DC-6, didn’t get to bed at the Sheraton West until nearly 3 a.m., which didn’t leave much time for sleep until their 8:30 wakeup call.
“The last time I pitched with comparative little rest,” said Cincinnati starter Bob Purkey, “I shut out the Giants, 4-0, at San Francisco.”
The Reds tabbed Purkey, a knuckleball pitcher, as an emergency starter for staff ace Jim O’Toole, who suffered a freak injury upon his arrival to Los Angeles. The left-hander split a nail on the middle finger of his pitching hand while handling his luggage on Sunday night.
The Dodgers’ Duke Snider nearly missed the game with an unusual injury of his own. On his way to Monday’s workout, the tailpipe on his car fell off. Forgetting the pipe was hot, Snider picked it up and burned his fingers. He taped the fingers and wore a protective golf glove.
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