Walter O’Malley joins the Dodgers’ Ring of Honor in Dodger Stadium ceremonies

Walter O’Malley, Baseball Hall of Fame executive and longtime Dodger President was added to the Dodgers’ Ring of Honor just below the Club Level at Dodger Stadium on August 10, 2024 during pregame ceremonies. Beginning in 1944, O’Malley was a minority owner of the Dodgers and then became controlling owner starting in October 1950 until his passing on August 9, 1979.

The large disk features his name and the interlocking LA symbol, known on Dodger caps.   

As part of Alumni Weekend festivities, O’Malley was 15th to join the Dodgers’ Ring of Honor, alongside the retired uniform numbers of players Pee Wee Reese (1), Duke Snider (4), Gil Hodges (14), Jim Gilliam (19), Don Sutton (20), Sandy Koufax (32), Fernando Valenzuela (34), Roy Campanella (39), Jackie Robinson (42), Don Drysdale (53), Managers Walter Alston (24) and Tommy Lasorda (2) and Hall of Fame broadcasters Vin Scully and Jaime Jarrin. 

The unveiling of the disk was made by three women representing baseball royalty – Ann Meyers Drysdale, Basketball Hall of Famer and widow of Don Drysdale; Laura Lasorda, daughter of longtime and Hall of Fame Dodger Manager Tommy Lasorda; and Erin Scully, daughter of the greatest baseball broadcaster Vin Scully.

Peter O’Malley and his sister Terry O’Malley Seidler were both at the special ceremony to honor their father with permanent recognition. Peter spoke on behalf of the family. Both Peter and Terry attended the first game at Dodger Stadium on April 10, 1962. On that inaugural day, their mother Kay threw the ceremonial first pitch. And 62 years later, they were able to enjoy the Ring of Honor ceremonies for their dad, whose vision was to privately finance, build and maintain Dodger Stadium, the iconic jewel in Los Angeles.

Current Dodger President Stan Kasten said in making the presentation on the field, “Walter O’Malley had a vision. A dream to create one of the most beautiful stadiums in all of sports and one of the most successful sports franchises in the world, the Los Angeles Dodgers…Hard to believe, this is the 63rd season at Dodger Stadium and it still looks as stunning today as it did back in 1962. It was then and remains today the most beautiful place ever built to play or watch the game of baseball. The O’Malley family always believed in a strong front office with a focus on player development and scouting. They built the Dodger brand into one of the most respected in all of sports and recognized around the world. It was O’Malley who helped break the color barrier by signing the legendary Jackie Robinson and today the Dodgers’ Ring of Honor shines a light on some of the greatest players ever.”

Representing Dodger players through the years, Dodger pitcher and current broadcaster Orel Hershiser spoke at the ceremony stating, “Greatness has a beginning. And that is why Walter O’Malley is being honored in the Ring of Honor tonight. His foundation and legacy continues to fuel the current organization and ownership. The Dodgers move to Los Angeles was historic. And so was the 50 years of O’Malley family leadership and ownership….We will never leave this Dodger Stadium. We will be here forever and it will be forever our home. The second half of those 50 years of O’Malley family leadership was captained by Walter’s son Peter with help from his sister Terry. Holding those reins was a little bit like being a curator of a museum that holds a family heirloom.”

O’Malley said during his on-field remarks to the crowd: “Thank you Orel. I remember the day when Tommy Lasorda thought that we should all call you ‘Bulldog’. And since that day, your life changed and the Dodger team and the Dodger organization changed for the better. And to this day, we still call you ‘Bulldog.’

“Stan, thank you. My sister Terry and I who is sitting upstairs with her great family really appreciate putting together tonight the idea for putting my Dad up there with the other Hall of Famers. We are proud, he would be very happy and we are truly honored. My Dad passed away in 1979 and a lot has been said on the great video that Vinny (Scully) did. But, in 1979, Dodger Stadium was a teenager, 17 years old. Today, Dodger Stadium is 62 years old and that is truly amazing. Stan, you and your partners, the Guggenheim group and others truly deserve the credit for enhancing Dodger Stadium and bringing it into the next century. Now, as I look around, there’s young folks here tonight and my message for you I will not be here on the 100th anniversary of Dodger Stadium. But if you do the math and mark your calendar, how old will you be when Dodger Stadium celebrates anniversary number 100? Do it, be here. I won’t be here but I hope it’s a great big party.

“My Dad’s vision back in the ‘40s when he first became involved with the Dodgers, he was concerned about charming Ebbets Field but it was not aging gracefully. He tried for 10 years to replace Ebbets Field in Brooklyn and was only when he realized that he couldn’t get it done, major disappointment, but Los Angeles was the winner and that’s how our family happened to come here. He was on this site every day of construction. His office was up here and he was extremely proud when in 1962, after many challenges, Dodger Stadium opened. And of course my sister Terry and I and our family we were all here and we’ll never forget that day. 

“I’d like to thank the men sitting behind me in that hot sun. Thank you for coming back. Personally it means a lot to me to be able to catch up with you. But it means a lot to the fans. It means a lot to the organization. And I truly believe it means a lot to the 2024 team because you have led the way and they are building on it. They are building that Dodger tradition and I know they are going to have a great season. So my friends thank you all, I don’t know if I’ve left anything out. But our family is honored and we look forward to the unveiling of the plaque, thank you, thank you.”