Dodger Organization Thrived on Stability

Stability is the one word that stands out when the Dodger organization was led by the O’Malley family for 50 years.

During those five decades, the Dodgers stayed the course, despite the inherent ups and downs of an industry that experiences wins and losses. This they did in a variety of areas, including on field personnel, front office executives, club broadcasters, team doctors, and Spring Training headquarters at Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida. 

In 1985, A.S. “Doc” Young, sports columnist of the Los Angeles Sentinel wrote: “While the O’Malley’s — Walter and Peter, father and son — have built a model franchise in Los Angeles…The Dodgers have built a modern stadium…maintained it perfectly, promoted their team with great class, dedication, and imagination…the Dodgers are in fact, the most valuable franchise in Major League Baseball, challenged, only, I’d say, by the New York Yankees…”. 

From 1951-1997 on the field, the Dodgers were first in the National League with six World Championships, total wins, winning percentage, and most pennants (13). The Dodgers were second in those categories only to the American League’s New York Yankees (who had 54 more wins in those 47 seasons).

In short, the Dodgers in the O’Malley era employed four managers – Charlie Dressen, Walter Alston, Tommy Lasorda and Bill Russell. Alston served the Dodgers as manager for 23 seasons, while Lasorda spent 20 seasons as manager with the club, winning a combined 3,239 games. Both were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Several major league teams, including the New York Yankees, have employed a record three managers in one season!

From 1950-1997, the Dodgers employed four General Managers, Buzzie Bavasi, Fresco Thompson, Al Campanis, and Fred Claire. In the same period, they had three minor league farm directors – Fresco Thompson, Bill Schweppe, and Charlie Blaney. The Dodgers in this time had three scouting directors, Al Campanis, Ben Wade and Terry Reynolds. Along with Peter O’Malley, longtime Latin America Dodger scout Ralph Avila created and developed the state-of-the-art Dominican Republic Campo Las Palmas baseball academy, which opened March 21, 1987. Avila was named Dodger Vice President, Campo Las Palmas in 1991 and was affiliated with the Dodgers for more than 50 years. In public relations and promotions, the baton was only passed from Arthur E. “Red” Patterson to Fred Claire. In marketing, the mantle went from Merritt Willey to Barry Stockhamer.

Two Hall of Fame broadcasters, Vin Scully and Jaime Jarrin, both were voices of the Dodgers for more than 60 years. Other broadcasters hired by the O’Malley family include Jerry Doggett who spent 32 years with the Dodgers, while Ross Porter was with the club for 28 years, Rene Cardenas for 21 years, Rick Monday still active since 1993, and Pepe Yniguez still active since 1998.

Many scouts and administrative assistants served the Dodgers for multiple decades. Former Dodger players became coaches and instructors within the organization, further advancing continuity.

In 1970, Dodger President Peter O’Malley named former Dodger Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Don Newcombe to lead baseball’s first Community Relations department. He remained with the Dodgers until his passing in 2019. Another popular Dodger, “Sweet” Lou Johnson returned to the team in 1980 to work in Community Relations. He stayed with the front office for nearly four decades.   

Dr. Frank Jobe and Dr. Robert Woods were longtime team doctors for the Dodgers. In 1958, Walter O’Malley hired Dr. Woods as one of his first acts in Los Angeles. Dr. Woods was with the Dodgers through 1986.

Dr. Jobe started as a consultant to the Dodgers in 1964 and became their orthopaedic physician for 40 years (1968-2008), working closely with Dr. Robert Kerlan, who worked with the Dodgers from their Los Angeles arrival. Innovative athletic trainer Bill Buhler was with the Dodgers for 39 years (1957-1995).

Many employees, both in the front office and game-day personnel at Dodger Stadium, crossed the 20, 30 and even 40 year-plus milestone of working for the Dodgers.

In 1982, Peter O’Malley explained his thinking to the New York Times, “You try to find people who fit in.  If you don’t make too many mistakes in hiring, you don’t have to do so much firing.” Jane Gross, New York Times, January 4, 1982      

In the summer issue 1989 of Phi Gamma Delta magazine, William Martin III wrote, “There are many and various reasons that Forbes magazine (April 12, 1982) has called the Dodgers ‘the best-run franchise in all of baseball’…Steadfastness and purpose at the top of the organization is one of the things that separates the Dodgers from other teams.” William Martin III, Summer issue 1989, Phi Gamma Delta magazine

Dodger first baseman Steve Garvey said of Peter O’Malley, “He’s the perfect example of the contemporary young owner with a business mind…he believes in stability. By knowing his people, he knows how to motivate them and get the most out of them. With the Dodgers, familiarity breeds success.” Dave Anderson, New York Times, October 25, 1981

In 1985, O’Malley discussed his philosophy of running the Dodger organization, “Baseball has changed more in the last five or six years than in the preceding 25.  But I decided pretty early to take the long-term view. I knew I would be in the game a long time…I had a long-term commitment. Good common sense and good judgment…a pretty good philosophy…(I am) the president, the chief executive officer…It’s my responsibility to make sure the business is run well…We’re business — big business, successful business, profitable business, but we have an impact on children, on the community, on our fans. We have a responsibility.” Pam King, Los Angeles Herald Examiner, April 14, 1985   

In 1981, O’Malley told Los Angeles Times sports editor Bill Shirley, he wants to be aware of everything going on in the Dodger organization. “I don’t want to be surprised. I don’t want to hear about anything, whether it’s scouting, minor leagues, promotions, or tickets, through the grapevine. It works. If you know what’s happening and know it quickly, little problems don’t become big problems.” Bill Shirley, Los Angeles Times, December 27, 1981  

Mike O’Connell writing for the University of Pennsylvania magazine in 1982, “The (Dodger) franchise, symbolized by the aura of ‘Dodger Blue,’ has been a stable, consistent winner for decades, both on the field and at the gate…One thing O’Malley does not believe in is besieging his players with his presence. He is a low profile, low pressure owner who leaves the managing to the manager, the playing to the players, and the cheerleading to the fans.” Mike O’Connell, 1982, University of Pennsylvania magazine

Forbes magazine in a story about the Dodgers in 1982: “O’Malley’s management style looks especially well suited to the times. Investing heavily in his scouting efforts and in his farm system doesn’t guarantee O’Malley victory in all his salary battles, but it positions him well against his competitors. Management by tantrum in the Steinbrenner style, with its quick payoffs in headlines and ego rewards, may be where baseball is headed, but O’Malley’s management by thought is surely where it ought to be going.” John Merwin, Forbes magazine, April 12, 1982