This Day in Walter O’Malley History: September 2

Kay and Walter O’Malley attend a performance of “Oklahoma!” at the St. James Theatre in New York City. The show, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and music by Richard Rodgers, opened on March 31, 1943 and would run for more than 2,200 performances.

The Sporting News carries a brief note about Walter O’Malley’s support of the umpires in a situation where Dodger Manager Charlie Dressen and two players, Jackie Robinson and Don Newcombe, were fined as a result of run-ins with umpires on this date. “I think we should concentrate more on the winning of ball games,” said O’Malley. Ben Gould, The Sporting News, September 12, 1951

Walter O’Malley writes to Dodger Director Bud Holman regarding the proposed nine-hole pitch and putt golf course at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida. “There is a possibility that the greens should be made somewhat larger than shown in the drawing and, of course, they should not all be flat. Some should have a roll in the direction of the tee. Will you take it on yourself, Bud, to get the work started so that we can have a good stand of grass by next spring...Each hole in addition to being numbered will carry on the cup the flag of one of our clubs. For example, the first hole would be a Class D club and the player works around the course until he comes to a big jump over the water to make the 9th or Dodger hole.”

Mixing fact with fiction, Ham Fisher, cartoonist for “Joe Palooka” includes a letter from Walter O’Malley that has the Dodger president honoring Palooka at Ebbets Field. O’Malley writes a letter for Fisher that appears in the comic strip: “My Dear Joe: You have done so much to make our young people sports-minded and you have also set as an example your strict adherence to the principles of fair play and sportsmanship. Recognizing this, the Brooklyn Dodgers have selected you to receive an award from our team in pre-game ceremonies at home plate, Ebbets Field. We all hope to see you on this occasion. Our warm personal regards to your friend Ham. Sincerely, Walter O’Malley.” During the month of September, the “Joe Palooka” strip had some fun with the Dodgers by having a friend of Palooka’s, Jerry Leamy, try out as a pitcher for the Dodgers. As a joke, the team allows Leamy to strike out every Dodger but when Leamy faces the Dodger batboy, he allows several home runs! The sequence involving the Dodgers takes most of the month and results in O’Malley offering Leamy a part-time contract as a batboy. United Features Syndicate, September 2, 1954

Milton Offner, Secretary of the Board of Public Works for the City of Los Angeles writes the following to the Dodgers, Vinnell Constructors, City Attorney Roger Arnebergh and the Bank of America: “Gentlemen: At a meeting of the Board of Public Works held this date, the work of grading Unit 1 of the Chavez Ravine site, as contemplated in Contract No. 27,822, was accepted as completed to the satisfaction of this Board. An extension of time of twenty-eight days, to and including June 30, 1960, was granted within which to complete the said work.” The Dodgers were then asked to pay Vinnell $36,030.48 “which represents the excess cost of the said work over the amount appropriated.”

Willie Davis set a Dodger franchise record when he doubles in the sixth inning to extend his hitting streak to 30 games, breaking the mark set by Hall of Fame outfielder Zack Wheat.

Walter O’Malley writes a letter to actor and singer Dennis Day inviting him to select a Dodger game to join him and Kay in the Chairman’s Box. “We meet shortly before 7 P.M. in my office and then saunter down to my box for some nourishment. We would like very much to have you with us on almost any date you select.” Day was the host of television’s “The Dennis Day Show” in 1952.