This Day in Walter O’Malley History: April 13

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Walter Alston makes his managerial debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Dodgers lost to the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds, 4-3. The next day, Alston notched the first of his 2,040 victories against the Giants, 6-4. It would be the first of 23 consecutive seasons at the helm of the Dodgers.

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Los Angeles Mayor Norris Poulson officially proclaims the start of “Welcome Dodgers Week,” a week-long celebration (April 13-19) of the events and ceremonies leading up to the first Major League Baseball game played in Los Angeles on April 18. Mayors of all Los Angeles County communities were invited guests of the Dodgers in a special seating section at the opening game in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Throughout the week, welcoming banners fly over streets in downtown Los Angeles, where the Dodgers will ride along the motorcade route prior to the first game.

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The contract to build Dodger Stadium is awarded to Vinnell Constructors. Walter O’Malley and other Dodger executives, along with the architectural firm of Praeger-Kavanagh-Waterbury, made the selection. Vinnell had previously been active in the leveling and grading process of the land. No final date for completion of Dodger Stadium was announced. Bob Hunter, The Sporting News, April 20, 1960

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Chad McClellan, former lead negotiator for the City and County of Los Angeles in efforts to relocate the Dodgers to L.A., writes a letter of congratulations to Walter O’Malley on the opening of Dodger Stadium. “Over the past several years during which it has been my privilege to work with you and get to know you well, my admiration and respect for you has increased continually. Now that your dreams have come true in such grand fashion, this community will begin to understand the great contribution you have made to our welfare.”