This Day in Walter O’Malley History:
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The New York Sun reports that “wages totaling roughly $96,000,000 are waiting for New York workmen, and to release them the Municipal Assembly has only to approve the new city building code, ready and agreed upon on all sides, according to Walter F. O’Malley, managing director of the Society of Allied Building Trades, Inc. Mr. O’Malley says that releasing this amount would do more in the way of relief than any direct unemployment appropriation so far seriously proposed...The organization which Mr. O’Malley is managing director is a subsidiary of the Building Trades Employers Association. The projects which he says are planned but not in progress because the old code remains in effect are about $160,000,000 worth of work under the State housing law, about $64,000,000 worth of alterations under the multiple dwelling law and a $15,000,000 warehouse and terminal which the New York Central Railroad plans to build...Mr. O’Malley says that costs will be reduced 20 to 40 per cent, because, for example, on a plot of ground where now only a five-story fireproof dwelling can be built, under the new code a nine-story fire-protected building will be allowed.” The New York Sun, November 2, 1932
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Dodger President Walter O’Malley announces two new Vice Presidents to assist him with the day-to-day running of the club — Fresco Thompson in charge of Minor League Operations and Scouting and E.J. “Buzzie” Bavasi, to assist O’Malley in corporate matters and serve as club General Manager in charge of player contracts.
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Roscoe McGowen writes in The Sporting News of the many international Dodger fans who follow their team by Armed Forces Radio broadcasts. McGowen tells about Dodger fan Berry Lynch of Cork, Ireland who wrote the Dodgers before the start of the 1955 World Series. Lynch enclosed a small statue of a leprechaun with a crock of gold ‘to bring the Dodgers good luck in the World’s (sp.) Series.’ Roscoe McGowen, The Sporting News, November 2, 1955 The Dodgers would win the 1955 World Series with maybe a little bit o’luck from the leprechaun!
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Financier C. Arnholt Smith writes a letter to Walter O’Malley, who chairs the National League Expansion Committee, regarding the possible expansion of Major League Baseball to San Diego. “The enclosed brochure presents San Diego’s credentials as a major league city. I wish I could show you personally all the dynamic changes that have taken place in our city in the last few years. However, this booklet ‘San Diego Now’, presents the facts briefly. The 15th largest city in the nation — the third largest in the West — San Diego has the population, the means and the desire to support major league baseball. We are confident that after reviewing this initial presentation, you will agree with us: the future of organized baseball will be best served by establishing a major league franchise in San Diego.” On May 27, 1968, San Diego is awarded a National League franchise during owners meetings in Chicago. The Padres make their debut on April 8, 1969 at San Diego Stadium.
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Walter O’Malley writes a note to America’s Toastmaster General George Jessel at the Friars Club in Beverly Hills regarding his responsibilities as Master of Ceremonies for a dinner honoring director M. J. Frankovich: “My Dear George: As expected, you handled the Frankovich dinner with your usual extraordinary skill. Your taste in matters pulchritude remain epicurean.”
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Dodger Chairman of the Board Walter O’Malley writes this letter to Toru Shoriki, owner of the Yomiuri Giants: “We are delighted that (Dodger President) Peter (O’Malley) represented us in attending your World Series and particularly so because you have now won your 9th consecutive Championship. This is a record unequalled in the history of professional baseball. It is eloquent testimony to good ownership and good management. You have our warm congratulations!”
