Dodgers Give Angels the Silent Treatment, March 28, 1969

The Dodgers and Angels were playing each other again and at least the Angels were doing their best to rebuild the rivalry. "Peter O'Malley has instructed all his personnel not to say anything about the Angels. That's the word I get. They're apparently afraid of something." The Times' Ross Newhan attributed the quote to a former Dodger now working for the Angels. There were four possibilities: general manager Dick Walsh, director of player personnel Lefty Phillips, scout Kenny Myers and minor league manager Norm Sherry. The teams last played each other in 1964, when the Angels were still tenants of Dodger Stadium. The Angels had won the last five games in a row. On the record, Walsh said the Angels could talk about their opponents: "This organization believes in free speech." It's hard to believe that The Times couldn't find a Dodger willing to say something, anything, to balance the Angel camp. Where was Tom Lasorda? -- Keith Thursby

Comments

[Richard H]

"On the record, Walsh said the Angels could talk about their opponents: "This organization believes in free speech." It's hard to believe that The Times couldn't find a Dodger willing to say something, anything, to balance the Angel camp. Where was Tom Lasorda?"

Tom Who? In 1969, Mr. Lasorda was a minor league manager in Spokane, WA. He didn't join the Dodgers coaching staff until 1973.

Walter Alston wasn't exactly the most voluble manager in baseball history. No competition to Casey Stengel for memorable quotes. I can't remember anything he said.

The Dodger general manager in 1969 was Al Campanis.
A few sentences from Mr. Campanis on a late night T.V. broadcast in 1987 were enough to plunge Major League Baseball into a national uproar. So much for free speech for the Dodgers. Peter O'Malley must have let his guard slip in 1987.