May 12 in Walter O’Malley History

May 12, 1953
Proceeds from one of the Dodger exhibition games at Holman Stadium in Dodgertown are donated to the expansion fund of the Indian River Memorial Hospital in Vero Beach, Florida. Walter O’Malley writes a letter to E.G. Thatcher, Secretary of the Hospital Association stating, “When I returned to Brooklyn I was pleased to have your nice letter of April 13th. It was gratifying to learn that the Hospital had benefited by over $3,000 from the ball game.”
May 12, 1954
Sportswriter Joe King of The Sporting News writes of the vision by Walter O’Malley on O’Malley’s public comments on interleague play between the American and National League teams. “The greatest solution to the problem is an eye-catching scheme which will grip the imagination of the fans,” said O’Malley. “We have got to build up public demand, and one sure means available now is competition between the leagues in the regular season.”
May 12, 1954
The Sporting News explains an encounter Walter O’Malley has with a New York cab driver. O’Malley had been requested to address a Princeton Club group, the 30th Reunion of the 1924 graduating class. O’Malley was the first non-Princeton man ever to be invited to speak to them. The cab driver recognized O’Malley and wondered why O’Malley was going to the Princeton Club. After O’Malley explained why, the driver began to discuss Princeton athletics in very knowledgeable terms, including players on the Tiger baseball team like Ransom Jackson. O’Malley then asked why the driver knew so much about the 1924 class of Princeton. “Who me?” answered the driver, “I AM a Princeton man!” Roscoe McGowen, The Sporting News, May 12, 1954
May 12, 1955
Walter O’Malley receives a certificate as an “International Airman” presented to him at the Rio Grand Valley International Airport at Brownsville, Texas for crossing the international boundary from Mexico to the United States in a private aircraft. The certificate reads, “This Certificate is presented to President Walter F. O’Malley, International Airman who did comply with all regulations of the governmental agencies of the United States of America and the Republic of Mexico and on this date did cross the International Boundary in a private Aircraft.”
May 12, 1956
- Larger View
On the joyous occasion of Dodger pitcher Carl Erskine’s second no-hitter, Walter O’Malley promptly presents the right-hander with a check for $500 in the Dodger clubhouse at Ebbets Field. Erskine, who had three fielding assists as a pitcher, more than any other position player on the field during the no-hitter, defeated the New York Giants, 3-0. Erskine’s feat was the first no-hitter which was nationally televised on the Game of the Week. Four years earlier, O’Malley made the same gesture for Erskine’s first no-hitter.
May 12, 1958
Walter O’Malley responds to a fan letter regarding broadcasters Vin Scully and Jerry Doggett. The fan wrote, “The most ‘major league’ commodity you have brought us is your excellent announcers (Vince Scully and Jerry Doggett). The caliber of their work is excellent.” O’Malley says, “I have your recent letter at hand and I want to thank you for taking the trouble of writing to me and for the good wishes you sent to the Dodgers. I shall forward your letter on to Vince Scully and Jerry Doggett who will be happy to read your praises of their broadcasting. We, too, think they are fine major league announcers and I am glad that the Los Angeles fans are satisfied with the way they report the games.”
May 12, 1964
Chuck Johnson of The Tidings writes a lengthy feature about Walter O’Malley and his background for the May, 1964 Extension Magazine. “I was amazed at the spade work you must have done to get your Extension article,” says O’Malley in a letter to Johnson. “It is quite interesting. Its warmth is much appreciated by Mrs. O’Malley and myself. After I return from my vacation trip in July we will get together and I will give you a few footnotes to update your article as you are now the leading candidate to be my Boswell. Thank you Chuck.”
May 12, 1965
After attending the season opener at Hollywood Park, Walter O’Malley has dinner with Webster Todd, the father of former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman and past director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). O’Malley knew Webster Todd from O’Malley’s involvement as a director of the Kingsbury Ordnance Plant in Indiana, which during World War II produced ammunition of all types. For many years, Webster Todd was New Jersey state Chairman of the Republican Party.
May 12, 1966
In his letter to pitcher Johnny Podres, Walter O’Malley writes, “On returning from Vero Beach yesterday I heard on the radio that you had been traded to Detroit and this morning (Executive Vice President and G.M.) Buzzie (Bavasi) filled me in on his talks with you and (Tigers Manager) Charlie Dressen...Two of my biggest thrills were the 1955 wins over the Yankees and particularly your 2-0 shutout in the final game. There was quite a coincidence between the 1955 and the 1965 Series but I would have to take 1955 over any of the rest as it was our first World Championship...All good wishes to you Johnny, you are with one of my best baseball friends, Charlie Dressen, and with an owner, John Fetzer, who has been a good man for Baseball.”
May 12, 1969
To try to help advance the career of minor league umpire Bruce Froemming, Walter O’Malley writes a letter to Fred G. Fleig, Secretary of The National League. “Here is a letter from Umpire Bruce Froemming. I take it that you are acquainted with him in his work. He is a good man to have continue in Baseball and he has character and enthusiasm for the game. If you have any thoughts let me know.” O’Malley also sends a note to Froemming in Milwaukee stating, “Thank you for your letter from Spokane. I have started some new inquiries and will continue to have you very much in mind as all of our people have a very high opinion of you. All the best.” Froemming joined the National League umpiring crew in 1971 and completed his long career behind the plate following the 2007 season, having worked 5,163 games.