This Day in Walter O’Malley History: March 29

In planning for Opening Day at Dodger Stadium on April 10, Walter O’Malley invites Los Angeles Mayor Norris Poulson and his wife to sit in his box for the game.

Walter O’Malley confirms that the Dodgers have “given up attempts to sign Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale for the 1966 season” according to a published UPI report from Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida. “‘As I see it,’ said O’Malley, ‘(Executive Vice President and General Manager Buzzie) Bavasi has offered the boys the greatest deal in the history of baseball. He has offered them substantially more than has been reported as the top price. While I’m sorry that the incident is being closed, I am pleased there are no hard feelings and there was no namecalling. They leave baseball with our very good wishes. They’re entitled to go out with the greatest amount of dignity.’” Drysdale and Koufax were preparing for alternate careers, trying their hands in acting, with roles in the movie “Warning Shot.” However, the next day, March 30, Koufax and Drysdale agree to terms, ending their holdout and begin preparing for the season.

Toru Shoriki, owner of the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants, thanks Walter and Kay O’Malley for the contribution made to his team during their stay at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida. “Thank you very much for your kind and warm treatment, which will live in my memory forever. I know that whatever success I have comes completely from your Good Will. Your friendship has been a great source of happiness for me — a happiness which overflows so that I want to make the whole World happy with me. You have educated me well, and I will try to put what I have learned into effect...Again, thank you for everything — and SAYONARA!”