This Day in Walter O’Malley History:
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Former Dodger Vice President and Director of Stadium Operations Dick Walsh, the project coordinator for the building of Dodger Stadium, thanks Walter O’Malley in a letter for his support. Walsh became the Commissioner of the newly-formed North American Soccer League. “I will miss my relationship with you, but I like to feel that perhaps I’m taking a little bit of you with me wherever I go,” wrote Walsh.
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As a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an East-West Major League Baseball Classic benefit game, sponsored by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, is played at Dodger Stadium. Coretta Scott King threw the ceremonial first pitch. The West team is managed by Dodger catching legend Roy Campanella. “I want to manage,” said Campanella. “The cause is wonderful. But for me it’s more than that. It’s a chance to manipulate great ball players. It’s an opportunity for a black man to manage major league players. I haven’t worn a uniform since the last game of the ’57 season in Philadelphia. I’m anxious to put it on again.” Campanella managed from the field in his electric wheelchair. His West team included Maury Wills, Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Tony Oliva and Orlando Cepeda. The East team, managed by Joe DiMaggio, featured Tom Seaver, Bob Gibson, Mike Cuellar, Roberto Clemente, Ernie Banks, Frank Robinson and Al Kaline. Before 31,694 fans, the East team defeated the West, 5-1. Ron Fairly was named “Player of the Game” after homering for the first East run in the third inning. Baseball Hall of Famer and Dodger hero Jackie Robinson was in attendance. Net proceeds of $30,000 helped to fund the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in Atlanta. According to Sports Illustrated in a 2021 article entitled “The Greatest (Forgotten) Game Ever Played,” 23 current and future Hall of Fame players participated.
