This Day in Walter O’Malley History:
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As counsel for Dodger Manager Leo Durocher, Walter O’Malley asks for a two-week postponement of a trial date in Kings County Court, New York, as Durocher is scheduled to travel abroad with a U.S.O. show. Durocher and Joseph Moore, special policeman at Ebbets Field, plead not guilty to second-degree assault charges of having beaten John Christian, who heckled the manager and players, at Ebbets Field on June 9. Judge Samuel S. Leibowitz suggests O’Malley arrange with D.A. George Beldock to set the date as soon as possible. The trial ended on April 25, 1946 when Durocher and Moore were acquitted by a jury which deliberated for 38 minutes.
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In his letter of response to Los Angeles City Councilwoman Rosalind Wyman, Walter O’Malley explains that he will be unable to meet with her or Councilman Ed Roybal in New York during the week of September 20. “I doubt very much that I could see you during the period when you will be in New York as we will all be preoccupied in concluding this year’s pennant race and preparing for the World Series,” writes O’Malley. Wyman had written to O’Malley on September 1, 1955 with hopes of discussing with him the possibility of relocating the Dodgers in Los Angeles. O’Malley writes, “At a later date perhaps there might be an occasion when a meeting would be appropriate. Los Angeles at present has two teams in organized baseball, and we would not want to be a party to any publicity which might be construed to be detrimental to their franchise.”
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Famed lyricist Sammy Cahn hosts a barbecue for the Dodger players at his home in Beverly Hills. Frank Sinatra recorded more than 80 songs written by Cahn. Cahn received 26 Academy Award nominations for “Best Song” and won the Academy Award four times with “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “All the Way,” “High Hopes” and “Call Me Irresponsible.”
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Maury Wills steals four bases, including his 82nd base of the season in a 10-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 82nd stolen base for Wills breaks a National League record that had stood since 1911.
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Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, who played an important role in attracting the Dodgers to Los Angeles, writes this note to Walter O’Malley: “Dear Walter: My congratulations to you and your lovely wife on your 31st anniversary. You can be proud of the Stadium; you can be proud of the Dodgers. Aren’t you glad you took that ride in the helicopter over Chavez Ravine and said: ‘This is the place’? I appreciate your friendship over the years.”
