Beglane

Team Leaving Florida's Dodgertown for Arizona, Fans

BY BERNIE BEGLANE

VERO BEACH, FL – The end of an era for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers.

Make that two eras!

It was after the 1957 season that ‘Dem Bums’ as they were affectionately called, deserted Ebbets Field for Los Angeles.

Walter O’Malley (now deceased), then the team’s president, was called a traitor by the Flatbush Faithful, the Dodger fans who used to pray…and we are not kidding…when their favorite players were in batting slumps.
The end of the second era?

Bill DeLury	Tommy Lasorda

That takes place after next year’s spring training when Los Angeles pulls out of Dodgertown for a yet-to-be built complex in Glendale, AZ, which it will share with the Chicago White Sox.

On a visit here to the former World War II Navy air station, we decided to seek out two Dodgers who have been a major part of the two eras.

The first was Billy DeLury, former traveling secretary, who first went to work with the Dodgers on Montague St. in Downtown Brooklyn immediately upon graduating from the now-closed St. Leonard’s Academy, Bushwick.

The second was Tommy Lasorda, now in his 58th season with the club. He was a lefthanded pitcher in 1954-55 with the Dodgers (1956 with Kansas City) who had a 0-4 record and a 6.52 ERA.

Obviously not as impressive statistics as he posted as a 1,599-1,489 won-lost record as manager from 1976 to 1996.

The Hall of Famer – he was inducted 10 years ago in upstate Cooperstown – managed the Dodgers to two World Series titles and four National League pennants.
Our purpose in the visit was to get a comparison from them between leaving Brooklyn and now Dodgertown.

“It is time to move on,” offered Billy. We used to draw 6,000 to 8,000 fans a game, but now we’re down to 3,500-4,000.

“There are more teams closer to us now, so fans have their choice. The Boston Red Sox probably draw best of all in Florida.”

Holman Stadium, the Dodgers’ field here, has 6,500 seats.

It is named after Bud Holman, a local businessman who was instrumental in the Dodgers setting up camp in 1948.

Did Billy find it tougher to leave Ebbets Field or Vero Beach?

“For me it’s tougher leaving here,” was the quick reply. “I had been in Brooklyn for 25 years.

“I grew up in the Navy Yard section and lived two blocks from the Bishop’s Residence.”

As for the Dodgers’ success in L.A., DeLury offered, “The market for spring training is Arizona.

“We are moving into a state-of-the-art facility and there will be a full array of activities available for tourists.”

A restaurant, a four-star hotel, retail stores and an 18-hole golf course are to be included.

Dodgertown offered two golf courses, both full of weeds now after being closed down a few years ago.

It should be pointed out that O’Malley, a shrewd business man, and his successors, built a year-round conference center used by major corporations.

And Holman Stadium served as a camp for National Football League teams such as the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills who wanted to train in warm weather for the playoffs and/or Super Bowl.

In going to Arizona, L.A. becomes the last West Coast team from either league to now train in that state.

Now for Lasorda’s thoughts on the change.

“I love it here,” began Tommy, now a special advisor to Frank H. McCourt, Jr., the team’s owner and chairman who is a Georgetown University graduate. “I’ve been here since 1949 and as far as I am concerned, Dodgertown is the finest camp in all of baseball.

“It grew from a Naval air station to this, but the team’s fan base is now in Los Angeles.

“Fans will go to Arizona quicker than they will go to Florida, and the game belongs to the fans.

“You can have the best team in baseball, but you need the fans.”

As cited above, McCourt is a Georgetown graduate. He is a member of the Board of Regents of the Jesuit Fathers’ school.

Jamie, his wife, also is a Georgetown graduate. She earned her law degree from the University of Maryland and is the Dodgers’ vice chairman and president.

The McCourts purchased the Dodgers in 2004 and inherited a team that has made 24 post-season appearances, the second most in Major League history.

Speaking of Lasorda, Frank McCourt offered, “Tommy has devoted more than half a century to the Dodgers as a player, scout, coach, manager and executive.

“His name is synonymous with the Dodgers and we are using his incomparable talents to make us even better.”

It must be pointed out that Dodgertown has street signs throughout.
One is named Vince Scully Way for the team’s long-time announcer who graduated from Fordham University.

And, of course, there is Tommy Lasorda St.

A suggestion to the McCourts: honor our good friend Billy DeLury, also.

He has meant as much as anybody ever connected with the Dodgers going all the way back to Ebbets Field!

St. Saviour H.S. Swimmers Win

Third Straight Title

The 2006-2007 Varsity Swim Team from St. Saviour H.S., Park Slope, repeated as ‘B’ division champs for the third straight year. The team again finished undefeated with a perfect 3-0 record and compiled an overall record of 6-3. Based upon the team’s performance, the Pandas will be moving up to the ‘A’ division next season. The team will be returning a number of standout swimmers and looks forward to challenging the next level of competition.