This Day in Walter O’Malley History:
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Walter O’Malley graduates from Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana, where he was associate editor of the Vedette school newspaper in 1922.
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Dodger President Walter O’Malley gives support to Pepper Martin, the “Wild Horse of the Osage,” former Cardinal outfielder and now a Dodger minor league manager in Miami, Florida. Columnist Jimmy Burns told O’Malley of Martin’s woes in managing the club and O’Malley was sympathetic for Martin, to a point. “All Pepper needs is a standout pitcher,” chuckled O’Malley. “If I could find one of that type, I’d probably keep him in Brooklyn.” Jimmy Burns, The Sporting News, June 6, 1951
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Walter O’Malley responds to a letter from Richard A. Brennan, President of the Brevoort Savings Bank in Brooklyn, regarding the importance of Little League Baseball for the new Bedford-Stuyvesant Little League. O’Malley’s comments are to be published in the next issue of the league’s newsletter. “It surely is nice to read that the Bedford-Stuyvesant area is now in Little League ball. You know, Dick, there is nothing which has been a greater boon to baseball than Little League. If we get our youngsters baseball-minded at that age, we don’t have to worry about them for many years to come. Out of Little League will come our baseball players and our baseball fans of the future.”
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Responding to a mention of him in Joan Winchell’s column in the Los Angeles Times on May 21, Walter O’Malley sends this note, “Dear Joan: My real deep thanks for your generous miniature of May 21st. I had a good time!” In her “Personality of the Week” profile of O’Malley, Winchell writes that she was a dinner partner of O’Malley at a party. “Three things won me over to the side of this Baseball Baron who’s as controversial as Frank Sinatra and twice as big. (1) ‘If my cigar smoke bothers you, I’ll put it out,’ he said right off the bat (Ah, a gentleman!); (2) When I caught him sneaking a $10 tip to the waiter, he explained, ‘They work twice as hard as usual at these charity parties and all they usually get are complaints.’ (Ah, a man with a heart!); (3) ‘Of course, I want the Angels to win as many ball games as they possibly can; it’s good for Los Angeles.’ (And so are you, Mr. O’Malley. A belated welcome aboard!).”
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A thank you letter to author Gertrude S. Booth is written by Walter O’Malley for sending him a copy of her new cookbook. “Dear Miss Booth: Hi — and thanks for autographed copy of “Kings in the Kitchen”! My mouth is watering. I think I will take a weekend off and try some of the recipes.” The full title of the cookbook, “Kings in the Kitchen: Favorite Recipes of Famous Men.”
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Johnny Carson, the host of “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” writes a letter of thanks to Walter O’Malley for appearing on the show in California on May 17, 1963. At that time, the show was based at NBC at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York. Carson writes, “The reaction to our shows from California has been tremendous. I wanted you to know how much I appreciate your being part of them.”
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The Los Angeles Dodgers announce the establishment of their 120 acres of training grounds at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida as a wildlife sanctuary. A news release states, “There has just been consummated with the Florida Audubon Society and its Pelican Island Chapter a cooperative agreement to this effect. Already 150 posted signs are being erected along the property boundaries, and rustic signs will be soon be built and placed, with the caption, “DODGERTOWN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY IN COOPERATION WITH FLORIDA AUDUBON SOCIETY, PELICAN ISLAND AUDUBON SOCIETY.” The wildlife sanctuary idea was proposed by Walter and Kay O’Malley and was fostered by Thomas T. Coxon of Vero Beach. Coxon was a charter member of the Pelican Island Chapter and its conservation chairman. Dick Bird, managing Director of Dodgertown, has direct responsibilities for overseeing the sanctuary. He has been appointed as honorary ranger by the Audubon Society and the Pelican Island members will serve in the areas of development and patrol. Attracted to the grounds by a heart-shaped lake, numerous species of birds flock to the Dodgertown Sanctuary. “Birdwatching is fast developing into one of the country’s leading recreation activities,” said O’Malley. “Birds must have the proper environment to feed, nest and raise their young. This, we hope, Dodgertown will in part provide in the Vero Beach section.”
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The Los Angeles Dodgers hold their first Old-Timers’ Day luncheon, a day before their first Old-Timers’ Game at Dodger Stadium. The game features players from Dodger teams of the 1950s and 1960s and includes Hall of Famers Don Drysdale, Sandy Koufax, Pee Wee Reese, Roy Campanella and Duke Snider. Gil Hodges, the current Manager of the New York Mets stated, “They’ve talked for years about Yankee pinstripes, but the truest saying is ‘Once a Dodger, always a Dodger.’” Former Dodger outfielder and Hall of Fame Manager Casey Stengel came out for his introduction at the game and when he removed his helmet, a bird flew out, acknowledging a feat he had once performed for Brooklyn Dodger fans.
