A Vintage Dodger Pennant for the Collection - First Annual Dodger Dinner 1958

As I've said many times, I'm not much of a pennant collector. So I rarely focus on adding them to my collection. In this case though, it couldn't be helped.

Several weeks back I won a vintage memorabilia lot of both Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers collectibles, and among the litter of goodies was the above 18 inch pennant from the teams first week in Los Angeles. It commemorates the First Annual Dodger Dinner sponsored by the Baseball Writers Association of America, Los Angeles Chapter held on Thursday, April 17, 1958. Per a mention at Walter O'Malley.com:

The Baseball Writers Association of America, Los Angeles Chapter, holds its first Dodger Dinner at the Biltmore Bowl in the Biltmore Hotel on the eve of the first major league game in Los Angeles in front of 1,200 enthusiastic fans. Walter O’Malley and the Dodgers attend the banquet following that day’s 7-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants at Seals Stadium. Art Linkletter serves as master of ceremonies, while Dinah Shore and Bob Hope provide entertainment. Baseball Commissioner Ford C. Frick and National League President Warren C. Giles are featured speakers. O’Malley told the crowd, “It’s been a fascinating honeymoon here. Tomorrow, we hold open house in the Coliseum and on June 3 (the date the public votes on Proposition B, to ratify or reject the city’s approved contract with the Dodgers) we hope to make it all legal.” TV personality Linkletter said, “I understand Walter O’Malley is building an ulcer-shaped swimming pool here,” referring to the June 3 referendum. Giles said, “O’Malley’s move was a bold one but it was more than that. It’s a solid expression of faith in us."

What hectic first week that must have been. Not only did they begin their first season on the west coast facing their historical rivals in San Francisco, but they also had to immediately fly home after Thursday's day game to attend that evenings dinner in their honor. And to compound their schedule, they all participated in an afternoon parade through the streets of Los Angeles the very next day -- before their first home game at the Coliseum.

Anyway, I hope to write a bit about some of the other items in the auction lot I won soon. So, stay tuned for that. There's some very unique items like scrapbooks, postcards and other oddball memorabilia.

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