This Day in Walter O’Malley History: July 17

Page One of the Brooklyn Eagle features a photograph of attorney Walter O’Malley talking with District Attorney William O’Dwyer, Democratic candidate for Mayor of New York and John R. Todd, builder of the Rockefeller Center, at the Hotel Bossert. O’Dwyer did not win the election that year, but did become New York’s 100th Mayor in 1946 succeeding Fiorello LaGuardia. O’Dwyer, like O’Malley, graduated from Fordham University School of Law by attending night classes.

In her interview with Walter O’Malley, Los Angeles Times writer Jeane Hoffman explains the predicament that he is in as he waits for the Brooklyn Sports Center Authority to issue a report regarding a new stadium built through bond issues. “O’Malley, the messiah whom Californians hope will lead them into the promised land of the major leagues, didn’t say he was bringing the Dodgers for keeps. He’s never said that, because as he told us, ‘I’m not trying to play one city against another.’ O’Malley wanted to talk about his insistence on building his own stadium. ‘People took it pretty much in stride when we announced we would build our own stadium wherever we went, and to me, that’s one of the most remarkable offers in the history of baseball. I’m going to build my own park because I like the free enterprise system, and because I don’t want to be attendant on a political entity or situation anywhere. First let me tell you that back on Nov. 9, 1947, I presented my initial request for a new stadium to our borough president and to Robert Moses, president of the park and recreation in New York then. I’ve waited a long time.’ The proposed Flatbush stadium money would be raised by private bond issues, with the Dodgers the largest single subscriber. Walter O’Malley sat in his comfortable office at 215 Montague St. and told us quietly, ‘Let’s wait and see what happens. We are giving serious thought to playing exhibition games in the (Los Angeles Memorial) Coliseum next spring. We are working on these plans now.’” Jeane Hoffman, Los Angeles Times, July 18, 1957

Walter O’Malley is the featured speaker for the Kiwanis Club of Beverly Hills luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

In response to inquiries from Mayor Dennis Murphy of Buena Park, California and Manager of the El Monte, California Community Chamber of Commerce regarding land in their respective cities for a new stadium, Walter O’Malley asks Assistant to Executive Vice President and General Manager Dick Walsh to respond. “At the present time our attorneys, in conjunction with the City attorneys, are making plans to appeal the recent (legal) decision on the Chavez Ravine situation. We appreciate your interest in phoning, but we cannot be interested in any other property at this time,” writes Walsh.