This Day in Walter O’Malley History: November 10

Major General, U.S. Army Commanding Lloyd E. Fellenz writes a letter to Baseball Commissioner William D. Eckert thanking the Dodgers for their community involvement during their 1966 Goodwill Tour of Japan. “On 2 November, members of the Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Organization were kind enough to visit our hospitals here in Japan, where they called on many of the sick and wounded. I would be remiss if I did not take time while the results of their visit are still vivid and thank you for the support you lent to this venture. I can only tell you it was highly successful and most gratifying to me and all members of the U.S. Army, Japan.” Also, Lt. General, U.S. Air Force Commander in Japan Seth J. McKee writes to Walter O’Malley in a similar vein. “Dear Mr. O’Malley: I would like to express to you, and to members of your fine organization, my deep appreciation for the time and effort you spent in visiting United States servicemen hospitalized here in Japan. The value of these visits cannot be over-estimated. To a sick or wounded man, this little touch of home, coupled with the knowledge that to ‘big’ Americans little things are still important, could have a healthy effect on his morale and physical well-being. The thoughtfulness of the Dodger team in this regard has not gone unnoticed by the Japanese people or by our servicemen here and at home.”