This Day in Walter O’Malley History: June 7

Eighty-six musicians from the New York Philharmonic, conducted by Morton Gould, are at Ebbets Field, Brooklyn for a special “Music Under the Stars” concert to benefit the American Fund for Israel Institutions. Dodger President Walter O’Malley is an honorary chairman for the event, which included performances from soloists Benny Goodman on clarinet, soprano Roberta Peters and baritone Robert Merrill. In the event program, the organizers wrote, “We gratefully acknowledge the courtesy and generous cooperation of Walter O’Malley, President, and the owners and directors of the Brooklyn Dodgers Baseball Club.”

Walter O’Malley spends lunch with Alicia Patterson, co-founder and publisher of Pulitzer Prize-winning Newsday and her managing editor Alan Hathaway. On September 13, 1954, journalist and entrepreneur Patterson graced the cover of TIME.

Kay O’Malley serves as a hostess for Brooklyn’s Elite Bowling Club luncheon at Sears, before the club members went to Ebbets Field to watch the Dodgers host the Cincinnati Reds.

The City of Boston tries to get into the mix and to interest the Dodgers in relocating, as Walter O’Malley studies an invitation from Massachusetts State Senator John E. Powers (D - Boston) to consider his fair city. Powers states, “The chance is probably remote that we’ll get the Dodgers here but we have made one important step in trying to get them.” The Braves of the National League left Boston to relocate in Milwaukee for the 1953 season, the first franchise movement in baseball in 50 years. O’Malley said that he would keep an “open mind and that he has made no commitments.” After hearing Sen. Powers’ idea, O’Malley said he would review all angles of the Boston possibility. “I’d love to come to Boston. I’ve always thought the territory big enough for two teams.” Associated Press, June 8, 1957

Walter O’Malley and Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully meet for lunch.

The June 7th issue of The Tidings carries an article about the recent Papal honor of Knight Commander of St. Gregory conferred upon Walter O’Malley by the Holy Father (Pope Paul VI).

Walter O’Malley writes a letter to Los Angeles Times Sports Editor Bill Shirley stating, “Yours of the 4th with the two enclosures reminds me of a picture I had taken the day I got out of the hospital. I used the picture for an acknowledgment of letters, flowers and what not I received and it was evidence that I had made a good recovery. Jackie Pung (successful women’s professional golfer), after receiving the snapshot asked if I could have one blown up for her and autographed. This seemed quite flattering so I did as she requested. Her acknowledgment then went on to say that it was being prominently displayed in her office as a lesson to all her pupils of how not to hold a golf club. The same can be said of the blowup you sent me. All the best”