Dodgertown Dates: 1952

The Dodgers and the city of Vero Beach agreed to a long term lease of Dodgertown for Spring Training.  This would be the longest Spring Training agreement in baseball history with a 21-year lease and an option to renew for 21 more seasons in 1973.  Other conditions of the lease were that the Dodgers would play at least two games against major league opponents in Vero Beach and the Dodgers could exchange Spring Training sites with another club as long as the other club held their Spring Training in Vero Beach. The Sporting News, February 6, 1952

Vero Beach Press-Journal writer Bob Curzon tells of the Brooklyn Dodgers’ arrival in Vero Beach, Florida on February 19th.  Walter O’Malley, Dodger President said, “I am looking forward with a great deal of pleasure to the opening of Spring Training season at Vero Beach.  I am particularly anxious to renew friendships and acquaintances formed there within the past few years.  I think that the entire Dodger family agrees with me when I say that in Dodgertown, we have the finest training site any ball club has ever had.” Bob Curzon, Vero Beach Press Journal, February 14, 1952

Joe King writes in The Sporting News of young Dodger players who are expected to make an impact in their 1952 Spring Training season.  King wrote, “In the outfield, Bill Sharman, a Fort Worth Cat in ’51, after a spring look-see at Dodger is reputedly one of the best newcomers in years.”  Sharman was an All-American basketball player at USC, and later became one of the most renowned players and coaches in NBA history.  Sharman is one of three persons named to the Basketball Hall of Fame as player and coach.  He was an eight time NBA All-Star and played on four NBA title teams with the Boston Celtics.  He still holds the NBA record for 56 consecutive free throws made in the playoffs.  After his playing career ended, he coached the Utah Stars to the American Basketball Association Championship in 1970 and the Los Angeles Lakers to their first NBA title in 1972.  Sharman was named to the NBA’s 25th and 50th Anniversary Teams. Joe King, The Sporting News, February 20, 1952

Walter O’Malley responds to a question at a press conference in Vero Beach, Florida regarding the increase of exhibition games in Dodgertown.  His answer is “It all depends on whether or not we will be able to draw big enough crowds in Vero Beach to make it pay.  This city is growing rapidly.  I can see many changes that have occurred during the past three years.  The new causeway to the beach has started a building boom on the island and we can picture Vero Beach as a nice size city in the future.” Bob Curzon, Vero Beach Press-Journal, February 28, 1952

The Dodgers hire Leslie MacMitchell, a prominent national mile runner, to provide running instruction to Dodger minor league players in Dodgertown.  MacMitchell, tied the indoor record for the mile at 4:07:04 and was named the 1941 James P. Sullivan Award winner for the best amateur athlete of the year for his achievement. The Sporting News, February 27, 1952

Walter O’Malley announces the Dodgers will build “a little 5,000 seat stadium” at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida.  The stadium purpose is to attract more major league teams to play the Dodgers in exhibition games in Vero Beach.  O’Malley also discussed the possibility of the building of a new stadium in Brooklyn to replace Ebbets Field.  O’Malley acknowledged architects had ideas to improve the fan’s enjoyment in watching the game.  “These fellows do have some good ideas, such as building the stands so that all seats face home plate.” The Sporting News, March 5, 1952

Hall of Fame infielder, manager, and broadcaster Frank Frisch arrives in Dodgertown in Vero Beach as a guest infield instructor.  He was expected to be in Dodgertown until April 15th.  Frisch managed the 1934 St. Louis Cardinals to the World Championship and played second base for that team. The Sporting News, February 27, 1952

New York Post writer Gus Steiger writes of a pitching machine that wasn’t pitching and who was able to get it working.  “Showing rare versatility for a club president, Walter O’Malley tinkered with the mechanisms of ‘Overhand Joe No. 2’ to bring the pitching automaton around when it got balky.” Gus Steiger, New York Post, March 5, 1952

Walter O’Malley released his plans to get a 5,000 seat stadium at Dodgertown.  The architect for the stadium is introduced as Captain Emil Praeger.  O’Malley says of the stadium, “If 5,000 seats is too big a job, perhaps we can start with 3,500 and add the other seats later.” Harold Rosenthal, New York Herald Tribune, March 7, 1952

Walter O’Malley discusses the building of a baseball stadium at Dodgertown.  “So far as I know, no other major league club has built a ball park at a training site.  But we have a twenty-one year contract here and are looking far ahead.” Roscoe McGowen, New York Times, March 8, 1952

Walter O’Malley writes to architect Emil Praeger regarding the foundation regarding the potential stadium to be built at Dodgertown.  “Bud Holman tells me that we could excavate to a depth of 4 feet and have no worries.  Other seems to think three feet would be safe.  They all say that we should have a grass crease to drain the field to the ditches.  Inquiries in the last several days regarding our box and reserve seats for our two exhibition games has caused to revise the pro-ration of seats.  We now feel that there should be 2000 box, 2000 reserve and 1000 general admission.” Walter O’Malley correspondence to Emil Praeger, March 11, 1952

Paul Waner, known as “Big Poison” of the two Waner brothers (Lloyd was known as “Little Poison”) provides lessons to Dodger players in hitting instruction and demonstrates a pitching machine he invented. The Sporting News, March 12, 1952

Walter O’Malley decided to pay in full the complete amount of the Dodgers’ 21-year lease to the city of Vero Beach.  The lease agreement between the Dodgers and the city was $1 for every season of the lease and O’Malley came up with the necessary $21 in cash.  “Tell you what I’ll do,” said O’Malley, “I’ll pay the rent for 21 years in advance and then we can unload all this legal junk.” The Sporting News, March 12, 1952

Walter O’Malley announces a newsreel will feature Happy Felton of the Dodger Knothole Gang and Dodger players at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida. The newsreel was to run at Loew’s Theatres in the New York area and a portion of the income earned from theatres was to be distributed to local sandlot baseball leagues. “This is a significant association involving TV, the motion picture industry and baseball,” said O’Malley. The Sporting News, March 12, 1952

The second St. Patrick’s Day party hosted by Walter O’Malley and the Brooklyn Dodgers is held in Vero Beach, Florida for the first time.  The inaugural St. Patrick’s Day party was in Miami in 1951 as the Dodgers played the bulk of their Spring Training schedule there. This year, the Dodgers would play the Philadelphia Athletics and defeat them 13-5 on March 17th in a game at Dodgertown.  Ralph Branca started and pitched three innings as 10 different Dodgers had base hits in the game.  The predominant color of the party was green, all the way from the beer to the ice cubes.  Bottles of Irish whiskey contained labels that read “Old O’Malley”.  Among the guests in the Hall of Tara at McKee Jungle Gardens was Edmund Boots, executive vice-president of U.S. Steel, Ralph Galvin, a hotel owner in Vero Beach and a 1913 Walter Camp Football All-American at Pitt, and Mrs. John Smith, Dodger stockholder.  Women received green orchids and bonnets and men wore green hats with green shamrocks or carnations. Roscoe McGowen, The Sporting News, March 26, 1952

General Manager Hank Greenberg of the Cleveland Indians was a visitor to Dodgertown.  Greenberg won the 1935 and 1940 American League Most Valuable Player Awards for the Detroit Tigers and hit 58 home runs in 1938.  He would be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1956. The Sporting News, April 2, 1952

Newsweek magazine demonstrates the value of the Dodger Spring Training camp in Vero Beach with their cover photo of Dodger scout John Corriden instructing then outfielder and future Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams on their cover.  Photographs at Dodgertown are displayed in the magazine. Newsweek, March 24, 1952

Walter O’Malley dismissed rumors the Brooklyn Dodgers would begin Spring Training at a place out west.  “If some western city twisted our arms with a fat guarantee, I would not say that we would turn it down.  However, at the moment, we are very well satisfied with Florida,” said O’Malley. The Sporting News, April 2, 1952

Walter O’Malley offers the possibility of the Dodgers sharing their Spring Training base with the Chicago Cubs.  In a letter to Wid Matthews, Director of Player Personnel for the Cubs, O’Malley tells Matthews of available land for baseball diamonds and housing for players in the Chicago organization.  Shortly thereafter, Matthews responds to O’Malley and though the offer is appreciated, the Cubs would maintain their present arrangement of training in Mesa, Arizona. Walter O’Malley Correspondence to Wid Matthews, May 5, 1952. Wid Matthews to Walter O’Malley, May 14, 1952

Walter O’Malley writes to Bud Holman on the importance of selection of the right contractors to build a new stadium at Dodgertown.  “It is important in talking to the contractors to have them realize that the concrete must be poured in place in such a way as to give accurate lines, levels and slopes as this type of stadium, for good appearance, depends on accuracy and quality of the work. Walter O’Malley Correspondence to  Bud Holman, May 15, 1952

Walter O’Malley writes a second time to Bud Holman on May 15, 1952 of his intention and purpose to build a new baseball stadium in Dodgertown.  “It is my intention to demonstrate, in a practical way, that the Dodgers are permanently interested in Vero Beach and in that direction we propose to build a beautiful concrete stadium seating 4200.  Such a stadium will have great value to the City of Vero Beach as well as to the Dodgers…..You will understand that a good many people will question our wisdom in spending this amount of money in a Spring Training stadium, particularly when it is normally one of the inducements that the different cities offer the various ball clubs to train there.  I justify the investment, not on the immediate future but on a long range forecast.  I believe that Vero Beach will grow soundly and that as we demonstrate to the people our sincerity they will develop a greater interest in baseball than has been shown so far. Walter O’Malley Correspondence to  Bud Holman, May 15, 1952

Walter O’Malley discusses the probable construction of a fishing hole at Dodgertown in a letter to Bud Holman.  “Have (Jesse) Swords send me the State’s specifications on fishing holes Air Mail as we want to include one in the specifications.  You might also find out if it is true that there is an artesian well in the incinerator and whether or not it would be well to pipe over to that in our location.  If the well would have enough head after the long run over to spray into the air we could have (Vero Beach business leader Waldo) Sexton bring us a fountain figure for the middle of the fishing hole which would look mighty good near the new stadium.” Walter O’Malley Correspondence to  Bud Holman, July 14, 1952

Walter O’Malley writes a letter and describes the new stadium in Dodgertown.  “We started to build a small stadium and ball field in Vero Beach.  The stadium will seat about 4200 people and I expect you to be one of the first customers.  It will be reinforced concrete and was designed particularly for a Spring Training base such as ours.  The playing field will be quite similar to our other four diamonds where they incorporate marl with the sand.” Walter O’Malley Correspondence to Victor Williams, July 29, 1952 

Walter O’Malley reports to the Brooklyn Dodger Board of Directors his recommendation of the naming of the new baseball stadium at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida.  “The Chairman then reported on the work on the stadium at Vero Beach.  He stated that the work was 60% complete, and that the first concrete step tier had been poured and it looked like a good job.  He advised the Board that there is no present indication that there will be any increased cost in the construction of this stadium.  Mr. O’Malley then discussed the name of the stadium, and called to the attention of the Board the inestimable value that Mr. Bud Holman had been in establishing cordial relations between the Brooklyn Baseball Club and the people in the City Council of Vero Beach, and it was, in his opinion, fitting that Mr. Holman be rewarded by having the stadium named after him.  After discussion, it was the unanimous opinion of the Board that the stadium should be named after Mr. Holman, and, on motion, duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, it was RESOLVED, that in consideration of the assistance given by Mr. Holman in the establishment of cordial relations between the people of Vero Beach and the Brooklyn National League Baseball Club, and in gratitude for Mr. Holman’s efforts in helping the success of the Vero Beach camp that the stadium to be erected at Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida, be named “HOLMAN STADIUM” and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr. Holman.” Minutes, Board of Directors, Brooklyn Dodgers, August 27, 1952

Walter O’Malley advises the Brooklyn Dodger Board of Directors of the availability of royal palm trees and their use for the new baseball stadium in Dodgertown.  “The Chairman then advised the Board that there were a number of royal palm trees on an abandoned estate, which he believes can be had for the cost of transportation and transplanting, and it was Mr. O’Malley’s suggestion that if these were planted around the perimeter of the new stadium, they would greatly enhance its beauty.  After discussion, the Board unanimously authorized the appropriation to expend the money necessary to arrange for the moving and the transplanting of these trees at the stadium. Minutes, Board of Directors, Brooklyn Dodgers, August 27, 1952

Walter O’Malley writes to architect Emil Praeger on some issues facing the field for the new stadium in Dodgertown.  “Smitty’s (O.B. Smith, Vero Beach groundskeeper) report attached indicates that we will have to give some thought to the grading of the outfield and infield.  Why?  Grass scoop swales on the first and third base sides drain to the manhole.” Walter O’Malley Correspondence to Emil Praeger, August 28, 1952

Walter O’Malley writes to a contractor in Vero Beach regarding an issue involving the concrete steps at the new stadium in Dodgertown.  “There have been several comments that the face of the steps show too much honey combing and I would appreciate if you would give your personal attention to that and see that the boys do a little extra spackling.” Walter O’Malley Correspondence to H.J. Osborne, September 8, 1952

Groundbreaking has occurred for a new stadium in Dodgertown. Dodger President Walter O’Malley said “it will be a modest little amphitheater of steel and concrete, seating 4,200 fans, and no roof.”  And, O’Malley added, “There will be a lake outside the fence stocked with fish for our big fishermen, Roy Campanella and Preacher Roe.” The Sporting News, September 10, 1952

Walter O’Malley writes engineer Emil Praeger of his concern for the infield and outfield grass for the new stadium for Dodgertown.  “I understand the White House lawn was planted with Merion blue grass and ‘Meyer Zoysia.”  The latter is an Oriental grass and the combinations from all indications is the ideal solution for Vero Beach…..I understand it is available in only limited quantities, in which event we would try to get enough for the infield this year and we would plant the outfield with St. Augustine grass to be replaced next year with cuttings from the infield.” Walter O’Malley to Emil Praeger, September 12, 1952

Walter O’Malley explains the construction for a new stadium at Dodgertown to a Superintendent of the Plant Introduction Garden of the United States Department of Agriculture.  “The Brooklyn Dodgers have a 42 year lease on a large tract of land at Vero Beach, Fla.  We have just completed the building of an unusual type of stadium.  The stadium was built by excavating 20,000 cubic yards of sand, marl and muck.  The excavation from which this fill was obtained has now been made into a two acre fish lake and is being stocked by the United States Wild Life Service.  The fill formed in mounds which were compacted and rolled, over which four inch reinforced concrete was poured to make the stands….The stadium, while it will be the headquarters for the Brooklyn Dodgers and their 18 farm clubs during baseball’s Spring Training, will otherwise be dedicated to public use on a non-profit basis…I am sending under separate cover a  location map which will give you an idea of the vast area of land that we have and the thought occurred to me that you would might wish to make some experimental plantings on this land, which we would be only too happy to permit….I trust that between this letter and my telephone conversation with you, you will have an idea of our problem and I want you to know that we deeply appreciate any cooperation." Walter O’Malley to David Bissett, October 16, 1952

Walter O’Malley explains his plan to name the baseball stadium in Dodgertown for Vero Beach businessman Bud Holman.  “We plan to name the stadium “Holman Stadium” as a gesture on the part of the Dodger organization to the citizens of Vero Beach who made our stays there so pleasant.  It seemed appropriate to select Bud Holman for this honor as he is a booster for Vero Beach and the Dodgers as well. Walter O’Malley to Honorable L.M. Merriman, October 16, 1952

The Dodgers announced their new baseball stadium in Dodgertown has been completed.  The stadium construction required 51 days.  A new lake will be supplied with bass for fishing.  Excavation of land for the lake was used in the structure for the stadium. Dan Daniel, The Sporting News, October 29, 1952 O’Malley said of the new stadium, “Instead of bringing in whatever dirt we needed, we dug it out, just outside the park.  This left a big, deep hole.  We filled it up with water, creating an artificial pond, and have stocked it with bass.” Oscar Ruhl, The Sporting News, November 5, 1952

Dodger President Walter O’Malley announced a 10-day baseball clinic at Dodgertown for the 1953 Spring Training season.  “I believe that such a clinic would attract people interested in the American Legion and Little League programs.  We could teach them the finer points of baseball by making only slight revisions in our own training program.  We would even bring in some of the big league umpires to give pointers to the arbiters of the amateur baseball games.  We would make no charge, other than for board and lodging, at cost.” Roscoe McGowen, The Sporting News, November 5, 1952 The clinic would run from March 9 through March 20th and would include classroom lectures and on-field practice.  The Dodgers would stage the clinic in cooperation with the Brooklyn Amateur Association to further baseball and coaching techniques. Jimmy Burns, The Sporting News, November 5, 1952

Walter O’Malley went to Dodgertown to check on the recently completed baseball stadium in Vero Beach, Florida.  Ten consecutive days of rain concerned O’Malley as to the effect of the foundation of the stadium.  Dodger Vice President Fresco Thompson said O’Malley’s concern was with the ends of the stadium and that O’Malley was planning on building a concrete ramp where people could walk up to their seats. The Sporting News, December 31, 1952

Walter O’Malley writes to Bud Holman to notify him the Dodgers have purchased chairs from the Polo Grounds, the stadium of the New York Giants, for use at the new stadium in Dodgertown.  “We have purchased the chairs from the (New York) Giants and will wait until you tell us if you can work out transportation for them.” Walter O’Malley  Correspondence to Bud Holman, November 18, 1952

The Dodgers will conduct a special tryout for returning service veterans in Dodgertown during Spring Training.  It was anticipated that as many as 65 former minor league players would be reviewed in the tryout camp. Ben Gould, The Sporting News, November 19, 1952

J.J. Schumann, publisher of the Vero Beach Press-Journal writes to Walter O’Malley, “I am glad to report that Mr. Merrill Barber has agreed to act as chairman of the dedication activities in connection with the opening of the “new Bud Holman Stadium.” J.J. Schumann to Walter O’Malley, November 22, 1952

Walter O’Malley corresponds with Sherman Smith, an attorney in Vero Beach on the recent rains that could have badly affected the construction of the new stadium.  “You might remind (H.J.) Osborne that had I not sent a gang of workmen down he would have lost a great deal more than the stakes – he would have lost his embankments and a great deal of money on the contract.” Walter O’Malley to Sherman Smith, December 1, 1952

In a letter from Walter O’Malley to prominent architect Norman Bel Geddes, O’Malley discusses the building of a new baseball stadium at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida.  O’Malley writes, “You will be interested in knowing that we completed our little stadium at Vero in 55 days, 5000 seats at a cost of $30,000.  We are quite pleased with the result." Walter O’Malley Correspondence to Norman Bel Geddes, December 11, 1952

Walter O’Malley releases the date to dedicate the new stadium in Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida.  “The Chairman then stated that Wednesday, March 11, 1953 had been set for the dedication ceremonies at Holman Stadium, Vero Beach, on which day the Philadelphia Athletics will play the Brooklyn Dodgers.  It is intended that the Governor of Florida be present together with several baseball, radio and television personalities.  The Chairman suggested that if possible the Directors might attend the dedication ceremonies.  He stated the work on the stadium was progressing very well and that it will be ready for use during Spring Training.  The Chairman then submitted pictures to the Board showing the progress of the work.  The Chairman then discussed the acquisition of the hospital building at Vero Beach and indicated that the City of Vero Beach had erected a new hospital and the old hospital at the training center would be acquired at a cost of $2500, which sum could be used as a donation to the new hospital.  He stated that the building is in bad condition and would need repairs approximating $25,000 or more.  He stated that if the building were purchased that the corporation would acquire a good title and that the building could be used for the housing of the players and the boys returning from duty in the Armed Services.  It was the sense of the Board that any action on this be deferred until later and that management is to investigate the possibility of acquiring and reconditioning this building.” Minutes, Board of Directors, Brooklyn Dodgers, December 22, 1952