Walter O'Malley papers

Collection

Identifier: BA MSS 364

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

THE FINDING AID WILL BE UPDATED AS THE COLLECTION IS PROCESSED.

A collection of business files, reports, correspondence, photographs, recorded media,and newspaper clippings related to Walter O'Malley and the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers.

Series I includes correspondence, agreements, reports, and articles relating to the business of a professional baseball organization, primarily the Brooklyn Dodgers. This includes the management of teams, staff, Ebbets Field, and associated businesses, sponsors, government, and fans. There are files relating to the Japan Goodwill Tours, files relating to the Dodgers' aircrafts, from the Convair 440 to the Electra Kay-O, and files with team innovations and industry firsts as they relate to fans, players, media, and employees.

IN PROGRESS - Series II relates primarily to the move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles. There are files on the effort on behalf of Walter O’Malley to privately build a new stadium in Brooklyn. The issues and challenges of Chavez Ravine and the construction of Dodger Stadium. Correspondence relating to Proposition B, the Los Angeles taxpayers’ Yes or No vote to approve the existing city of Los Angeles contract with the Dodgers.

Series V - Record Media includes interviews, pre-game talks, and team highlights.

Unprocessed - Series III, IV, VI, VII

Dates

1898-2021

Creator

O'Malley, Walter, 1903-1979 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Materials are open without restrictions but viewing materials does require an appointment. Please contact the Giamatti Research Center, research@baseballhall.org, 607-547-0330.

Conditions Governing Use

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum provides use copies of materials to facilitate private study, scholarship, and research. The Museum welcomes you to use materials in our collections that are in the public domain and to make fair use of copyrighted materials as defined by copyright law and with proper citation. Written permission to publish materials from this collection must be obtained from the O'Malley Family or legal representative. Please contact the Giamatti Research Center at research@baseballhall.org for further information.

Biographical / Historical

Walter O’Malley established a legacy as one of sport’s top visionaries and businessmen, building a first-class organization based on long-term stability and success. As President of the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers, one of baseball’s most enduring and beloved teams, he inscribed his reputation as an astute owner.

In his pioneering move of the Brooklyn Dodgers to the West Coast, he advanced the nationwide growth and success of the sport. O’Malley’s crowning achievement was designing, privately financing and building Dodger Stadium, the finest baseball ballpark of its time and, more than 60 years after it opened, remains as one of Los Angeles’ most recognizable and popular landmarks.

On December 3, 2007, O’Malley was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in its ballot of executives/pioneers. Induction ceremonies were held on July 27, 2008 in Cooperstown, New York. In December 1999, The Sporting News named O’Malley the 11th Most Powerful Person in Sports over the last century, while ABC Sports ranked O’Malley in its Top 10 Most Influential People “off the field” in sports history as voted by the Sports Century panel.--walteromalley.com

Extent

72.58 Linear Feet (in 67 storage boxes)

86 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This finding aid will be updated as this collection is processed. A collection of correspondence, reports, clippings, recorded media, and photographs created and/or compiled by Walter O'Malley over the span of his career with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers.

Arrangement

This collection will be arranged into seven series based on a conversation with the O'Malley family of their provenance. Series I Business Files; Series II Brooklyn to Los Angeles; Series III Dodgertown; Series IV Photographs; Series V Recorded Media; Series VI Walter O'Malley personal files; Series VII Clippings.

Physical Location

Photo Archives, Aisle 2, 3 Manuscript Archives, oversize boxes - Aisle 24, Range b, Shelf 4

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift (BL-2023-00075)

Appraisal

No materials were removed during accessioning. In processing, duplicates and photocopies of originals were removed.

Related Materials

Separated Materials

Museum collection: Defense Bond Banner pennant, 1953

Processing Information

Original file folders were kept where possible. Items were placed in archival sleeves where necessary. The two framed letters were unframed and placed in acid-free archival sleeves. Due to the extent of this collection, files were placed in acid-free storage cartons. Oversize items were placed in a flat document box.