Wednesday, 04 December 2024

Walter O'Malley

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Contributors 2024
Embed from Getty Images
Sport(s): Baseball Executive and Owner
Statistics: 4 World Series Championships (1955, 1959, 1963 & 1965)
1 The Sporting News Executive of the Year Award (1955)
Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
Walter O’Malley was first peripherally associated with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1933, and the lawyer would eventually buy a share of the team in 1944. A number cruncher, O'Malley, did not have a problem spending money, providing he felt there was a return on the investment.

O’Malley’s power grew, and he was supportive of Branch Rickey’s push to integrate baseball, which he did in 1947 when Jackie Robinson debuted. O'Malley consolidated control of the team in 1950 and became the sole owner, and he landed his first World Series win in 1955. It was a great day for Brooklyn, but O'Malley had bigger plans.

O'Malley believed that there were riches to be had by moving the team to Los Angeles, a vast city with no baseball team. It was inevitable that baseball would get there, and whoever did would gain a considerable market. O'Malley convinced New York Giants ownership that a move to San Francisco would also be beneficial, and both teams went west after the 1957 season.

The Dodgers won three World Series (1959, 1963 & 1965) under O’Malley in Los Angeles. O'Malley was incredibly loyal to those who wore Dodger blue and vindictive to those who didn't buy in. O'Malley retired as president until 1970 when he stayed on as chairman until he died in 1979.

We are proud to nominate Walter O’Malley for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

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