For many New Yorkers one of the most traumatic events since World War II was the removal of the Brooklyn Dodgers, one of the most popular baseball teams of all time, to Los Angeles in 1958. In this controversial new look at a story that has reached almost mythic proportions in its many retellings, Neil Sullivan shifts responsibility for the move onto the local government manueverings that occurred on both sides of the continent. Conventional wisdom has it that Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley cold-heartedly abandoned the devoted Brooklyn fans for the easy money of Los Angeles. The truth was actually more complicated. O'Malley had, in fact, wanted to stay in Brooklyn and build a new stadium. Ebbetts Field was obsolete, situated in an increasingly unsafe neighborhood and without parking facilities (it had been built in the days of the streetcar, hence the name "Dodgers"). But he was stymied by an uncooperative New York City administration spearheaded by Robert Moses who blocked O'Malley's use of an ideal site at the Atlantic Avenue Long Island Railroad terminal. A political battle over the Dodgers' move erupted in Los Angeles too. The new stadium site at Chavez Ravine, suggested by Mayor Poulson, had been designated for public housing and a bitter fight broke out over the issue. But a telethon campaign that enlisted the help of celebrities like Groucho Marx, George Burns and Ronald Reagan helped to win the referendum in favor of the deal. Despite playing until 1962 in the Los Angeles Coliseum, where the right field looked directly into the sun, the Dodgers soon bounced back winning the 1959 World Series and went on to become one of the most successful franchises in the country. Set against a backdrop of sporting passion and rivalry, and coming thirty years after the Dodgers' last season in Brooklyn, this engrossing book offers new insights into the workings of power in the nation's two largest cities. It ends by drawing important conclusions about the proper relationship between sports franchises and the public purse.

The Dodgers Move West

Sports & Outdoors

Sullivan, Neil

Baseball

Oxford University Press

For many New Yorkers, the removal of the Brooklyn Dodgers--perhaps the most popular baseball team of all time--to Los Angeles in 1957 remains one of the most traumatic events since World War II. Neil J. Sullivan's controversial reassessment of a story that has reached almost mythic proportions in its many retellings shifts responsibility for the move onto the local governmental maneuverings that occurred on both sides of the continent. Conventional wisdom has it that Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley cold-heartedly abandoned the devoted Brooklyn fans for the easy money of Los Angeles. Sullivan argues that O'Malley had, in fact, wanted to stay in Brooklyn, hoping to build a new stadium with his own money. Situated in an increasingly unsafe neighborhood and without parking facilities, Ebbets Field had become obsolete. Yet an uncooperative New York City administration, led by Robert Moses, blocked O'Malley's plan to use the ideal site at the Atlantic Avenue Long Island Railroad terminal. A political battle over the Dodgers' move also erupted in Los Angeles. Mayor Poulson's suggestion to use Chavez Ravine as the new stadium site triggered opposition from residents concerned about a giveaway. Eventually a telethon campaign that enlisted the help of celebrities such as Groucho Marx, George Burns, and Ronald Reagan enabled the approval of the deal. Set against a backdrop of sporting passion and rivalry, and appearing over thirty years after the Dodgers' last season in Brooklyn, this engrossing book offers new insights into the power struggles existing in the nation's two largest cities.

History

Americas

First definitive history of the Du Mont Television Network, 1946-1956. 100 rare photographs; interviews with management, talent, writers, staff. Early TV efforts of Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Ernie Kovacs, Bishop Fulton J. Sheen (whose show had the largest network of stations--176--for any program at that time). Du Mont technological breakthroughs: first practical cathode ray tubes, first consumer television receivers, oscilloscopes, film recording systems. Script excerpts, budgets, ratings; explores Du Mont participation in "golden age of TV." Du Mont coverage of Army-McCarthy hearings (1954) for 34 days; notes on other Congressional hearings: Hiss-Chambers confrontation (1948); "Kefauver hearings" (1951); (McClellan) "labor rackets" hearings (1957), which brought John & Robert Kennedy national attention. Also covers long-standing parent complaints about "violence" in children's adventure programming: Captain Video star Al Hodge's testimony before Senate Committee on Juvenile Delinquency (Sen. Estes Kefauver--1954). Program & general indexes; photos & comments by Du Mont & other TV "pioneers" will make this book an invaluable addition to any library of U.S. media history. "Best 50s TV History"--might well be!

Captain Video Book: The Du Mont Television Network Story

Loosestrife Pr

The Cunning of the Serpent: An Escaped Murderer's Wake of Terror

Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

Thrillers & Suspense

Publishamerica Inc

Ollie and Nina are two silly pups, but unlike other comics, these are two characters that are REAL! Author and pet parent Neil Sullivan swears that everything in this collection of comics really happened. Of course, he admits he may have used some artistic license in the telling. Together, Ollie and Nina make an awesome comedy duo and anyone with a dog will love by the affectionate, gentle humor found in the silly world of Ollie and Nina.

Ollie and Nina and ...: ... Daft Doggy Doings!

Humor & Entertainment

Humor

Hubble & Hattie

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Books by Sullivan, Neil