by Megan Garcia
The Ring of Honor at Dodger Stadium now has as a member the most instrumental figure in the creation of the landmark ballpark.
Walter O’Malley became the 15th member of the Ring of Honor during Dodgers Alumni Weekend’s Grand Reunion ceremony. Forty-one former Dodger players, executives and coaches were part of the pregame event and seated on the field.
O’Malley joined the Dodgers in 1943 as vice president and general counsel, before becoming a co-owner the following year and majority owner in 1950. Over the next six seasons, the Dodgers won four National League pennants and in 1955, their first World Series. When all options were exhausted in Brooklyn, O’Malley became the visionary behind the design, construction and financing of Dodger Stadium, which opened in 1962. The Dodgers went on to win three more World Series within their first eight years in Los Angeles.
O’Malley passed away on August 9, 1979, before being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008.
The Hall of Famer’s ring was unveiled by Ann Meyers Drysdale — the basketball legend and widow of Don Drysdale, Erin Scully — the daughter of Vin Scully, and Laura Lasorda — Tommy’s daughter.
Peter O’Malley, former owner and president of the Dodgers and Walter’s son, joined the ceremony to honor his father. He spoke about how proud his father was of Dodger Stadium.
Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten and Legend of Dodger Baseball Orel Hershiser spoke during the ceremony.
“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 franchises in the world,” said Kasten during the ceremony.
“The Dodgers move to Los Angeles was historic. So was the 50 years of O’Malley leadership,” Hershiser said. “We will never leave this Dodger Stadium. We will be here forever, and it will forever be our home.”
Prior to the unveiling, a biographical video described Walter O’Malley’s impactful career. It was narrated by none other than Vin Scully.
Walter O’Malley’s name is a part of the stadium he helped build was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.