O'Malley Collection on Display at These Museums
Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, CA
(“Chasing Dreams: Baseball and Becoming American” special exhibit, April 7-October 30, 2016)
*Original Dodger Stadium model produced for Walter O'Malley as a gift from his friend Mervyn LeRoy, renowned producer-director, by Warner Bros. Studios, circa 1960. Model from original plans by designer-engineer Capt. Emil Praeger and shows pastel color seating palette used in Dodger Stadium when it opened April 10, 1962. David Ernstein of Warner Bros. art department made the model. The original model was exhibited in the winter of 1961-62, prior to the opening of Dodger Stadium, when it was on display at the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Bank of America headquarters building downtown. It was in O’Malley’s office until 1979.
*Hall of Fame Dodger pitcher Sandy Koufax, considered the greatest left-hander of all-time, presented autographed baseballs from each of his four no-hitters in appreciation to Dodger President Walter O'Malley and his wife, Kay. On June 30, 1962, Koufax beat the New York Mets, 5-0; on May 11, 1963, he defeated the San Francisco Giants, 8-0; on June 4, 1964, he blanked the Phillies in Philadelphia, 3-0; and on September 9, 1965, he pitched a perfect game against the Chicago Cubs, 1-0. This unique collection of four autographed Koufax baseballs presented to the O’Malley family is on display.