This Day in Walter O’Malley History:
-
Local 802, American Federation of Musicians, grants the Dodger Sym-Phony permission to continue their performances at Ebbets Field. So thrilled is the rag-tag band, it shows up in Walter O’Malley’s office to serenade the Dodger boss. O’Malley met with Local 802 President Samuel Suber and Union Secretary Charles R. Iucci. “We would have straightened out this mess much sooner,” said O’Malley, “except that Suber and Iucci are Giants’ fans.” The Union agreed to permit the band to play as long as none of its members took part in the music-making. Suber said, “As long as members of Local 802 are not playing gratis, it’s all right with us. James Davis, New York Daily News, July 31, 1951 The “Music Appreciation Night” still remained on the schedule for August 13, 1951, when fans were expected to appear at Ebbets Field with all manner of musical instruments for free admission.
-
Walter O’Malley meets with New York Governor Thomas Dewey at the Roosevelt Hotel. Dewey was Governor for three terms until the end of 1954, when he returned to private law practice.
-
All amenities for fan comfort are included in Walter O’Malley’s plans for his dream stadium — escalators, moving ramps, air-conditioning, seats with abundant leg room between rows, spacious aisles and a dome to cover it from the elements. “How much longer can baseball expect to get away with old-fashioned facilities?” asks O’Malley. “Baseball simply must modernize. It must spruce up, clean up and attract the family. We have to stop defying people to come to our ball games.” Ed Pollock, The Evening Bulletin, July 30, 1956
-
To help strengthen his international relations, Walter O’Malley invites Toshisaburo Tsuzuki, Managing Director of Korakuen Stadium Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan to visit Dodger Stadium and attend several games. “We understand that your stadium is planning to remodel and it is felt that a visit to inspect the facilities of Dodger Stadium will be a tremendous help to you,” writes O’Malley. “We will be most happy to extend you all the courtesies possible to make your trip a success.”
-
The Los Angeles Times writes a feature story about Akihiro “Ike” Ikuhara, a graduate of Waseda University in Japan, who was invited by Walter O’Malley to visit Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida. Ikuhara wanted to see American baseball. Ikuhara approached Sotaro Suzuki, Japanese sports columnist and a longtime friend of O’Malley’s, to see if he would write a letter of introduction. That was in 1965 and, after Spring Training, O’Malley sent Ikuhara to work in Spokane, Washington at the Dodgers’ Triple-A team in order to learn all facets of the baseball business. O’Malley’s son Peter ran the team in Spokane. Eventually, Ikuhara would work at Dodger Stadium in the ticket office, concessions, public relations and accounting. He later would serve as Assistant to the President and became an ambassador in the Dodgers’ international relationships, including their 1966 goodwill trip to Japan. Dwight Chapin, Los Angeles Times, July 30, 1969
-
Walter O’Malley thanks longtime golf professional Eddie Merrins of Bel Air Country Club for sending an autographed copy of his book “Swing the Handle Not the Clubhead.” O’Malley writes a note, “As soon as the Giants leave town I will start at the front and work my way through each page. I am afraid that I shall profit by the suggestions contained therein to the extent that I might even abandon my #17 wood. All the best to you Eddie and sincere thanks.”
