Former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley revealed his plans to sell the Dodgers Jan. 6, 1997, signaling the end of a 50-year-long partnership between the Dodgers and the O’Malley family.
Several factors contributed to the ultimate sale of the team, with Peter O’Malley himself revealing the city’s rejection of his plans to build a football stadium played a huge part in his decision.
July 8, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hideo Nomo (left) presents former team president Peter O’Malley with flowers following his presenting of The Order of the Rising sun before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium.
“I can’t deny that was a factor,” Peter O’Malley said a few months after announcing his decision. “I must tell you I was extremely disappointed when we were asked to shelve our ideas.”
The Dodgers were also the O’Malley family’s biggest asset, and the former Dodgers owner said player salaries had “grown too high for a baseball-only business to succeed.”
How Long Did the O’Malley’s Own the Dodgers?
Walter O’Malley became a part-time owner of the Dodgers in 1948 before taking full control of the team run 1950. He served as the team’s owner until he died in 1979 and passed ownership to Peter O’Malley.
Peter carried on the family business for nearly 20 more years before ultimately selling the team to Fox Entertainment Group.
What Did the Dodgers Accomplish Under the O’Malley Family?
The Dodgers enjoyed some of their most prosperous periods under the O’Malleys, winning six World Series championships during their 50-year reign. The first of their six came while the team was still in Brooklyn in 1955, as they took down the New York Yankees in seven games.
They moved to Los Angeles three years later, in 1958.
A dominant period followed the Dodgers’ move to Los Angeles, as they won three more World Series from 1959-65. Peter O’Malley also had a couple of World Series titles under his watch, coming in 1981 and 1988.
Who Owns the Dodgers Now?
Ownership of the Dodgers’ has changed hands several times since O’Malley sold the team run 1998, with Guggenheim Baseball Management currently in possession of the team. The Dodgers have continued their success following a dry period with previous owners, and look to continue dominating MLB for as long as they ca.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
LA Baseball Report
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