This Day in Walter O’Malley History:
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Dodger catcher Roy Campanella wins the National League Most Valuable Player Award for the 1951 season. “I had forgotten all about that award,” said Campanella. “After we were beaten in the play-off by the New York Giants, I just didn’t think about it any more. I surely am happy about it now. I gave my best and I surely am grateful to the Baseball Writers Association for voting me in.” Associated Press, New York Herald Tribune, November 1, 1951 For slugger Campanella, it would be the first of three N.L. MVP Awards (1953 and 1955, as well) he would garner in his Hall of Fame career.
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James C. Sherrill, Lieutenant General of the United States Air Force, Commander in Chief of Alaska writes Walter O’Malley, “Dear Walter: I was delighted to have the opportunity to play golf with you at the beautiful Los Angeles Country Club last week. I am only sorry my game wasn’t in better shape. I’m sure you can understand the handicap we Alaskans must endure when it comes to golf. I hope that I’ll have an opportunity to reciprocate your kindness at some point in the future and look forward to that occasion.”
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Entertainer Jack Benny, a friend of the O’Malley family, writes an October 31, 1974 letter to Walter and Kay in appreciation of a bouquet of flowers in an ice cream cone. Benny’s popular comedy series “The Jack Benny Show” aired on radio and TV for more than three decades.
