Forever Blue: The True Story of Walter O'Malley, Baseball's
ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: D'Antonio, Michael, PUBLISHER: Riverhead Books, If ever there was a figure who changed the game of baseball, it was Walter OaMalley. Criticized in New York and beloved in Los Angeles, OaMalley is one of the most controversial owners in the history of American sports. He remade the major leagues and altered the course of history in both Brooklyn and Los Angeles when he moved the Dodgers to California. But while many New York critics attacked him, OaMalley looked to the future, declining to argue his case. As a result, fans across the nation have been unable to stop arguing about himauntil now. Using never-before-seen documents and candid interviews with OaMalleyas players, associates, and relatives, Pulitzer Prizeawinning writer Michael DaAntonio finally reveals this complex sportsman and industry pioneer. Born into Tammany Hall connections, OaMalley used political contacts to grow wealthy during the Great Depression, and then maneuvered to take control of the formerly downtrodden Dodgers. After his defeat in a war of wills with the famed power broker, Robert Moses, OaMalley uprooted the boroughas team and transplanted them to Los Angeles. Once in Los Angeles, OaMalley overcame opponents of his stadium and helped define the city. Other owners came to regard him as their guideaalmost an unofficial commissioneraand he worked behind the scenes to usher in the age of the playersa union and free agency. Filled with new revelations about OaMalleyas battle with Moses, his pioneering business strategies, and his relationship with Jackie Robinson, "Forever Blue" is a uniquely intimate portrait of a man who changed Americaas pastime forever. His fascinating story is fundamental to the history of sports, business, and the American West.