This Day in Walter O’Malley History:
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Walter O’Malley writes “Opening Game” in his personal appointment book, as he looks forward to the first “official” game of his presidency. The Phillies, however, defeat the Dodgers at Ebbets Field, 5-2.
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Opening Day ceremonies at Ebbets Field include a special flag-raising ceremony for the 1955 World Champion Brooklyn Dodgers. According to the Associated Press, “the Brooklyn Dodgers got started 36 minutes behind schedule as they almost forgot to raise their first world championship flag today.” Before Everett McCooey was supposed to sing the national anthem, he realized the flags were not in place. Thus, the delay and the Marine Color Guard moved into position to hoist the American flag and the World Championship pennant so the festivities could begin. Brooklyn Borough President John Cashmore tosses the ceremonial first pitch to break the seal on the season. Popular personality Happy Felton serves as master of ceremonies for the World Champion Pennant-raising proceedings. The first Dodger game of the 1956 season started with an 8-6 loss to Philadelphia before 24,236 fans. To start the day, a crowd of 15,000 fans lined a parade route as some 90 organizations, including a Fife and Drum Corps and a tractor converted into a miniature locomotive, came down the mile route towards Ebbets Field.
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The Baseball Writers Association of America, Los Angeles Chapter, holds its first Dodger Dinner at the Biltmore Bowl in the Biltmore Hotel on the eve of the first major league game in Los Angeles in front of 1,200 enthusiastic fans. Walter O’Malley and the Dodgers attend the banquet following that day’s 7-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants at Seals Stadium. Art Linkletter serves as master of ceremonies, while Dinah Shore and Bob Hope provide entertainment. Baseball Commissioner Ford C. Frick and National League President Warren C. Giles are featured speakers. O’Malley told the crowd, “It’s been a fascinating honeymoon here. Tomorrow, we hold open house in the Coliseum and on June 3 (the date the public votes on Proposition B, to ratify or reject the city’s approved contract with the Dodgers) we hope to make it all legal.” TV personality Linkletter said, “I understand Walter O’Malley is building an ulcer-shaped swimming pool here,” referring to the June 3 referendum. Giles said, “O’Malley’s move was a bold one but it was more than that. It’s a solid expression of faith in the people of Los Angeles. We have faith in you folks and I hope you have faith in us.” Rube Samuelsen, The Sporting News, April 23, 1958
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Famous Japanese actress Machiko Kyo attends the Dodger game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and takes pregame pictures with Walter O’Malley. Kyo, who is temporarily working in Hollywood, was known for films such as “Rashomon” and “The Teahouse of the August Moon.” She worked on 62 films from 1949-84.
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Walter O’Malley writes a letter to former Dodger catcher Roy Campanella about the dedication ceremonies for Roy Campanella Park in Compton, California. “I was the clean up hitter and I promised that when you are in California instead of listening to a lot of speeches you would spend some time at the playgrounds talking to and advising the youngsters,” said O’Malley. “The park is located in a new area and I was tremendously impressed by the cooperation of the parents with all the youth groups, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and choir. I would guess about 1000 people attended.” Dodger pitchers Don Newcombe and Ed Roebuck also participated in the ceremonies.
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“The Singing Cowboy” Gene Autry writes a letter to Walter O’Malley in response to O’Malley’s telegram wishing the Los Angeles Angels good luck in their inaugural 1961 season. “We certainly appreciate your thoughts, and, we, too, hope you and the Dodgers have a very successful season,” writes Autry. “Best wishes and kindest personal regards. Most sincerely, Gene”
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Bob Hunter writes in The Sporting News on whether Walter O’Malley is “running” baseball. O’Malley rejected the concept. “I’ve been elected to the executive board (council) six times,” said O’Malley. “I doubt that would continue to happen if the 19 other owners thought I was running baseball.” Hunter later concludes, “Whether O’Malley runs baseball may be debatable, according to one’s interpretation of the phrase. The fact that O’Malley has been good for baseball is not debatable.” Bob Hunter, The Sporting News, April 17, 1965
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Walter O’Malley sends a note of appreciation to Roscoe Leigh, thanking his wife for a portrait she painted of O’Malley. “I now know what your delightful wife did with the original portrait,” said O’Malley. “It is now chubby cheeked O’Malley. I like it very much.” The portrait hung outside the entrance to O’Malley’s Dodger Stadium office.
