Walter (Francis) O'Malley - Birth, Education, George McLaughlin, Brooklyn Dodgers, Death, Timeline

Baseball executive, born in New York City, New York, USA. He was the owner of the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers (1950–70). His decision to move the franchise from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1958 was controversial, but it proved to be eminently successful. His son, Peter O'Malley, assumed the presidency of the Dodgers in 1970.

Walter Francis O'Malley (October 9, 1903 - August 9, 1979) was an American sports executive who owned the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers team in Major League Baseball from 1950 to 1979.

Birth

Walter O'Malley was the only child of Edwin Joseph O'Malley (1883-1955), who was working as a cotton goods salesman in the Bronx in 1903, but would later become the Commissioner of Public Markets for New York City.

Education

O'Malley attended the Jamaice High School in Queens and then the Culver Academy in Indiana. Riley who owned the Riley Drilling Company and they formed the partnership of Riley and O'Malley. O'Malley Engineering Company, and published the Subcontractors Register with his uncle, Joseph O'Malley (1893-1985). They had two children, Theresa O'Malley Seidler (1933- ) and Peter O'Malley (1937- ).

George McLaughlin

In 1933 Walter met George V.

Brooklyn Dodgers

In 1942 he was appointed the attorney for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and he became the president and chief stockholder on October 26, 1950, taking over for Branch Rickey, who was a trailblazer in baseball by instituting the farm system and breaking the racial barrier with Jackie Robinson.

The Dodgers remained successful under O'Malley's leadership, winning National League pennants in 1952, 1953, 1955, and 1956. Saddled with a beloved-but-aging stadium, O'Malley tried to raise the capital and political backing to build a new ballpark elsewhere in Brooklyn.

Following the 1957 season, he moved the Dodgers to Los Angeles. O'Malley was sold a property in Chavez Ravine by the Los Angeles city government and built the 56,000 capacity Dodger Stadium for $12 million.

The Los Angeles Angels also played in Dodger Stadium for their first 4 years.

On March 17, 1970, Walter turned over the presidency of the team to his son Peter.

Death

Walter O'Malley was diagnosed with cancer, and sought treatment at the Mayo Clinic.

Timeline

1903 Birth in New York City on October 9 1926 Graduation from University of Pennsylvania 1929 Stock Market Crash 1930 Law degree from Fordham University 1931 Marriage to Katherine Elizabeth Hanson, aka Kay Hanson on September 5 1933 Birth of Theresa O'Malley, his daughter, on May 23 1937 Birth of Peter O'Malley, his son 1940 Death of Alma Feltner, his mother, on June 1 1942 Appointed attorney for the Brooklyn Dodgers 1950 President and chief stockholder of Dodgers on October 26 1955 Death of Edwin Joseph O'Malley, his father, on April 10 1955 Dodgers win World Series 1957 Team moved to Los Angeles, California 1959 Dodgers win World Series 1963 Dodgers win World Series 1965 Dodgers win World Series 1970 Peter O'Malley, his son, becomes President of Dodgers on March 17 1975 O'Malley owns 100% of Dodgers stock 1977 "Chest surgery" in Los Angeles on June 9 1979 Death of Kay, his wife, in Los Angeles on July 12 1979 Treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota 1979 Death of Walter O'Malley at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota on August 9