This Day in Walter O’Malley History:
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Dodger Vice President Walter O’Malley and Boston Braves Manager Billy Southworth go to the bedside of Braves’ slugger Jeff Heath at Swedish Hospital in Brooklyn. The outfielder severely damaged his left ankle in a game against the Dodgers at Ebbets Field and was removed from the field by stretcher. Dr. Dominic Rossi, Dodger physician, who made the preliminary diagnosis in the clubhouse, said “I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. The foot appeared to be jammed two inches in arrears of its normal position — as though completely separated from the upper bones.” Dick Young, Daily News, September 30, 1948 The injury and subsequent recovery knocked Heath out of playing in the World Series against Cleveland.
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Don Newcombe wins his 20th game of the season with a 5-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on the second to last day of the season.
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On the occasion of the Montreal Royals, the top Dodger farm team in the International League, winning the “International League’s Governor’s Cup” and advancing to the Little World Series, Walter O’Malley sends the following telegram to Royals’ skipper Walter Alston, “Just want you to know that we are all disappointed not to be with you. You did a great job again this season and we are sincerely proud of you and the team. Congratulations.” O’Malley sends another telegram to Guy Moreau, a part owner of the Triple-A Royals, “Best wishes on the team’s important victory. We know that you will go on the (sp.) win the Little World Series. I wish so much that I could be with you.”
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Gil Hodges scored the winning run in the 12th inning to give the Dodgers a 6-5 playoff victory over the Milwaukee Braves and their first National League Pennant in Los Angeles. The Dodgers rallied with three runs in the bottom of the ninth to knot the score at 5-5 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. In the decisive 12th inning, with two out, Hodges walked. Joe Pignatano singled to left, moving Hodges to second. Carl Furillo beat out a grounder over second base and Hodges advanced to third. When Felix Mantilla made a wild throw past first baseman Frank Torre and into the stands, Hodges scored the winning run to cap an exciting Dodger comeback. Walter O’Malley permitted the game to be televised locally, which took a toll on the in-stadium crowd which was 36,528 fans. Sports Illustrated, December 26, 1960 Following the victory, O’Malley and his wife Kay went to give thanks at St. Vincent’s Catholic Church, a short distance from the Coliseum. “The team was battered and bruised, but our boys had their chins out today. They earned — really earned — the right for Los Angeles to fly the National League pennant flag,” said O’Malley. “That’s why we stopped at St. Vincent’s. Many people have their own way of giving thanks — at the table before meals. Many once a week. It’s largely a matter of personal training and belief.” Los Angeles Times, September 30, 1959 The Dodgers had little time to celebrate as they had to board the plane and go to Chicago to face the “Go-Go” Sox in the opening game of the World Series.
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In his response to Rev. Ed Boyle of St. Margaret Mary Church Rectory in Lomita, California, Walter O’Malley thanks him for his letter regarding the idea of hiring Casey Stengel as Dodger Manager. O’Malley, though, speaks highly of his longtime Dodger Manager as he responds, “Walter Alston is not colorful but he is sound and a person of excellent character. From time to time we surround him with coaches who might add a little excitement but when it comes to solid decisions Alston is our man.”
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An episode of the popular television series, “Mr. Ed” (featuring a talking horse) titled “Leo Durocher Meets Mister Ed” airs. Since Ed’s favorite team is the Dodgers, he calls Coach Leo Durocher on the phone and shares some helpful tips about the players. Initially, Durocher doesn’t pay attention, but, upon second thought, he takes them to heart. A mix-up happens when Durocher believes Wilbur (the horse’s owner) called him, not Ed, and he invites Wilbur to come to Dodger Stadium to give more tips. But, in the end, both Ed and Wilbur travel to Dodger Stadium to meet Durocher.
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Los Angeles Angels President Bob Reynolds informs Walter O’Malley the Angels do not intend to renew the option of their lease of Dodger Stadium for the 1966 season. The Angels played the 1962-65 seasons at Dodger Stadium before relocating to Anaheim to play in Anaheim Stadium in 1966.
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Tommy Lasorda is named by the O’Malley family to succeed Walter Alston as manager of the Dodgers. Alston finished his stellar 23-year career with 2,040 wins and four World Championships (1955, 1959, 1963 and 1965). He placed sixth on the all-time managerial wins list. Lasorda became the 19th manager in the Dodgers’ 86-year history. He would guide the Dodgers to two World Championships (1981 and 1988). Both Alston (1983) and Lasorda (1997) were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
