This Day in Walter O’Malley History:
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At the regular Annual Meetings of the National League at the Palmer House in Chicago, the club representatives accepted the invitation of the Dodgers to hold the 1949 All-Star Game on July 12 in Brooklyn. Dodger owners Branch Rickey, Walter O’Malley and John L. Smith are in attendance to learn of the good news.
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Associated Press reissues a story from the Cincinnati Times-Star today that 18-year-old pitcher Sandy Koufax will be signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers for an estimated $20,000 bonus. The paper noted that the left-hander pitching star of the University of Cincinnati was sought by every major league team. Dodger Vice President E.J. “Buzzie” Bavasi told the paper that “the announcement that he is to be signed is premature.” The AP story noted that the signing of Koufax would take place in his hometown of Brooklyn. As a freshman, Koufax was 3-1 with the U.C. varsity and struck out 51 batters in 32 innings.
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In his letter to sportswriter Milton Richman of United Press International in New York, Walter O’Malley once again explains his position regarding American League expansion into the Los Angeles market, having voted for the Angels’ 1961 opening season at owners’ meetings in St. Louis. “As I told all the writers, I never had any fear we couldn’t reach a conclusion good for baseball,” writes O’Malley. “While we favored expansion of the American League in 1962, rather than 1961, we welcome (Angel owner Gene) Autry and his group into baseball. Perhaps the rivalry here will put us all on our toes.”
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Craig F. Cullinan, Jr., one of the organizers of the Houston expansion team which will play in the National League beginning in 1962, sends a letter to Walter O’Malley, following a visit to see the site of Dodger Stadium. “Dear Walter: If possible, Houston in general and our group in particular are even more indebted to you than ever after the fine reception you gave us in Los Angeles last week. Our purpose in making the trip, as you know, was twofold: stimulate interest in our new stadium and promote the National League in Houston. Thanks to you and everyone in your organization, we were completely successful. The magnitude of your undertaking in Chavez Ravine is eloquent testimony to your faith in the future of National League baseball. I trust that all of us left there bitten by the same bug. With repeated thanks and kindest personal regards, I am (signed) Craig”
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At a lunch meeting with Fred L. Hartley of Union Oil Company of California and George T. Goggin, Executive Vice President of Douglas Oil Company of California, Walter O’Malley and the two executives agree to furnish road oils and asphalt materials for new Dodger Stadium.
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The last five access roads to new Dodger Stadium is assured as the Los Angeles City Board of Public Works awarded a contract to Tomei Construction Company for construction of the asphaltic concrete roadway on Scott Avenue from east of Portia Street to Boylston Street.
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Kay and Walter O’Malley attend the premiere of West Side Story at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. West Side Story was honored with the Oscar® for 1961 “Best Picture” at the Academy Awards on April 9, 1962 in Santa Monica, California.
