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kenyan_cheena · 07-11-2008, 11:49 PM

The New York Age

WEDNESDAY, 25 AUGUST, 1959

BUY-OUT OFFER MADE TO
O'MALLEY FOR DODGERS

Story by Louis Greenberg

A trio of New York businessmen made a public announcement yesterday claiming they intend to purchase the Brooklyn Dodgers from current owner Walter O'Malley. Standing outside Ebbets Field shortly before the start of the Dodgers game against the Cincinnati Reds (which the home team lost 6-5) the group was led by Maurice Goldstein, a senior partner in the renowned law firm Goldstein Cooper Brown. Goldstein stated that he and his associates have been lifelong fans of the Dodgers but were disgusted with the downward spiral the club has been on during the last two years. They laid the blame for the team's misfortune squarely on O'Malley, saying the owner had been remiss in his duty to put a competitive lineup on the field.

A number of local newspaper scribes had been alerted about the conference beforehand and Goldstein had them eating out of his hand, the solicitor firing shots at O'Malley over his "gross incompetence". A considerable portion of those there to see the game also stood and watched, some laughing and agreeing strongly with his words. In an unexpected revelaton Goldstein also stated that he and his colleagues were amongst the individuals who helped finance the renovations carried out on Ebbets last year and so they had a "personal stake" in what becomes of the team. When asked about the confidentiality O'Malley had claimed over the situation Goldstein sighed.

"No agreement or contract was ever signed to guarantee our silence," he said. "This ballclub has gone from being World Series Champions to the laughing stock of the league in the space of four years. Something has to be done about it. I'm putting the offer to Mr. O'Malley right now: we are willing, ready and able to purchase the Brooklyn Dodgers."

Yesterday's defeat to the Reds saw Brooklyn fall to 42-82 on the season. If owner Walter O'Malley stays true to his words of mid-July the ballclub's manager Walter Alston will be fired at the end of the season if the team losses at least 85 games, something that could happen before the end of August. Goldstein addressed the Alston situation, saying the treatment he's been given by O'Malley was "reprehensible".

"It simply amazes me how O'Malley has just hung him out to dry," said Goldstein. "If you don't have a roster of players that can compete it doesn't matter how good a manager you are. Walter O'Malley has failed in the extreme to provide Alston with a roster talented enough to compete for the National League pennant and if he has his way, the man will be out the door at the end of the year. It's disgraceful and if we are successful in our aim of acquiring ownership of the Dodgers Walter Alston will be staying on as manager!"

This last comment brought a hearty cheer from the crowd, the conference breaking up soon after. Goldstein, his associates and the 27,212 spectators that attended Ebbets yesterday filed into the ground and supported their team vigorously. They went home disappointed, a four-run 8th giving the Reds a 6-4 lead that they did not surrender. But that was not really the big story of the day and it will be fascinating to see how O'Malley responds to Goldstein's offer in the days to come...

07-11-2008, 11:49 PM	#216
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 9,037	*The New York Age* WEDNESDAY, 25 AUGUST, 1959 BUY-OUT OFFER MADE TO O'MALLEY FOR DODGERS Story by Louis Greenberg A trio of New York businessmen made a public announcement yesterday claiming they intend to purchase the Brooklyn Dodgers from current owner Walter O'Malley. Standing outside Ebbets Field shortly before the start of the Dodgers game against the Cincinnati Reds (which the home team lost 6-5) the group was led by Maurice Goldstein, a senior partner in the renowned law firm Goldstein Cooper Brown. Goldstein stated that he and his associates have been lifelong fans of the Dodgers but were disgusted with the downward spiral the club has been on during the last two years. They laid the blame for the team's misfortune squarely on O'Malley, saying the owner had been remiss in his duty to put a competitive lineup on the field. A number of local newspaper scribes had been alerted about the conference beforehand and Goldstein had them eating out of his hand, the solicitor firing shots at O'Malley over his "gross incompetence". A considerable portion of those there to see the game also stood and watched, some laughing and agreeing strongly with his words. In an unexpected revelaton Goldstein also stated that he and his colleagues were amongst the individuals who helped finance the renovations carried out on Ebbets last year and so they had a "personal stake" in what becomes of the team. When asked about the confidentiality O'Malley had claimed over the situation Goldstein sighed. "No agreement or contract was ever signed to guarantee our silence," he said. "This ballclub has gone from being World Series Champions to the laughing stock of the league in the space of four years. Something has to be done about it. I'm putting the offer to Mr. O'Malley right now: we are willing, ready and able to purchase the Brooklyn Dodgers." Yesterday's defeat to the Reds saw Brooklyn fall to 42-82 on the season. If owner Walter O'Malley stays true to his words of mid-July the ballclub's manager Walter Alston will be fired at the end of the season if the team losses at least 85 games, something that could happen before the end of August. Goldstein addressed the Alston situation, saying the treatment he's been given by O'Malley was "reprehensible". "It simply amazes me how O'Malley has just hung him out to dry," said Goldstein. "If you don't have a roster of players that can compete it doesn't matter how good a manager you are. Walter O'Malley has failed in the extreme to provide Alston with a roster talented enough to compete for the National League pennant and if he has his way, the man will be out the door at the end of the year. It's disgraceful and if we are successful in our aim of acquiring ownership of the Dodgers Walter Alston will be staying on as manager!" This last comment brought a hearty cheer from the crowd, the conference breaking up soon after. Goldstein, his associates and the 27,212 spectators that attended Ebbets yesterday filed into the ground and supported their team vigorously. They went home disappointed, a four-run 8th giving the Reds a 6-4 lead that they did not surrender. But that was not really the big story of the day and it will be fascinating to see how O'Malley responds to Goldstein's offer in the days to come...