This Day in Walter O’Malley History:
-
Reporter Oscar Ruhl writes in his column, “From the Ruhl Book” that Walter O’Malley has accomplished another first in Major League Baseball. Under O’Malley orders, a darkroom for photographers at Ebbets Field was created so that photographers would have the benefit of development of their photos at the stadium instead of having to do the work back at the newspaper or wire service office.
-
In response to the May 28, 1957 unanimous vote of National League owners giving permission to the Dodgers and Giants to relocate to the West Coast, as long as both teams do so and make their request by October 1, New York Mayor Robert Wagner holds a one hour, 15-minute meeting at City Hall with Walter O’Malley of the Dodgers and Horace Stoneham of the Giants to discuss the future of the two teams and to take action to keep them in New York. O’Malley and Stoneham assured Wagner that no commitments had been made. In his personal appointment book, O’Malley writes at 10:30 a.m., “City Hall Wagner”
-
Walter O’Malley issues the following press statement at 3 p.m. on the day following the “Proposition B” vote in Los Angeles: “We are advised by people who are expert in your vote-counting system that the trend is definitely in favor of the City’s contract with the Dodgers which will enable us to build a modern stadium in the Chavez Ravine area. We certainly appreciate the support of those who voted ‘Yes’ on Proposition ‘B’ and we will be zealous in our efforts to gain the support of those who voted ‘No’ by continuing our practice of living up to all our responsibilities under the terms of the contract we have signed with your elected officials. It is our sincere desire to (1) begin work on the new stadium as soon as possible, and (2) devote all our efforts to getting our Dodgers back into the National League pennant race on the ball field.”
-
Sandy Koufax pitches his third no-hitter, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies, 3-0 at Connie Mack Stadium. Koufax misses a perfect game by walking Dick Allen on a 3-2 count.
-
Sitting with Walter O’Malley in the Chairman’s Box at Dodger Stadium for a game between the Dodgers and the New York Mets are former stars Johnny Podres, Joe Black, Andy Pafko, Billy Loes, Norm Larker, George “Shotgun” Shuba and Dick Tracewski.
-
The uniform numbers of Hall of Fame players Jackie Robinson (#42), Sandy Koufax (#32) and Roy Campanella (#39) are the first to be retired in on-field ceremonies at Dodger Stadium. Many other former Dodgers return to the field in uniform for the festivities. Also receiving honors that day is Hall of Fame Manager Casey Stengel, who once played for the Dodgers. Stengel wears a uniform with the logos of all seven teams he had played or managed in the major leagues. Other former Hall of Fame players who appeared that day in uniform were Whitey Ford, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, Joe Cronin, Mickey Mantle and Early Wynn. Twenty-five years later, Major League Baseball permanently retired Jackie Robinson’s uniform number.
-
The second major event this date occurs at the City of Hope hospital tribute dinner honoring Walter O’Malley with the “Spirit of Life” award in “recognition of his deep concern for the dignity and welfare of his fellow man which symbolizes the aims and aspirations of the City of Hope.” Headlining the Century Plaza hotel affair were celebrities, sport stars and civic leaders, including emcee Art Linkletter, Red Buttons, Rosalind Russell, Jack Warner, Mervyn LeRoy, Lou Rawls, Stan Musial, Casey Stengel, Chuck Connors, Bowie Kuhn, Walter Alston, Don Sutton, Sandy Koufax, Roy Campanella, Rabbi Edgar F. Magnin and Vin Scully. A research fellowship for the City of Hope was also established in O’Malley’s name. The event raised more than $100,000 for the hospital. Linkletter spoke directly to O’Malley, the non-practicing attorney and stated, “You’ve heard a great many beautiful things said about you tonight, Walter. Why not? After all, nobody is under oath!” Scully said of O’Malley, “In this land where so many little people try to pull down big people, I’m so glad to have spent more than half my life with a Lion.” Joe Hendrickson, Pasadena Star-News, June 6, 1972
-
Ramon Martinez fans 18 Atlanta Braves in a 6-0 shutout to tie the team record by Sandy Koufax.
