MOVE TO THE "BIG WEST"
BY ADONIS SINGLETARY
About the Move west
In the 1950’s to the 60’s major league baseball set its sights on moving west. At first, moving to the west coast was just an idea but teams were very reluctant to actually put forth action and make it happen. The first two teams to make a move to the west where the Brooklyn dodgers and the New York giants, who would soon become the Los Angeles dodgers and the San Francisco Giants. The Move of the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York giants to California opened the west coast up for business for baseball teams. This move brought forth many opportunities not only for the two teams but for the league as a whole. Also air travel being frequently used since the Second World War world war, teams were no longer bound by traveling by railroads. Because of the transportation advances to locate teams further apart, even as far as California, it was made possible to maintain the same game schedule.
These relocations were correctional swings within baseballs financial and environmental scenery. The majority of the relocations were not due to change in ownership but because the MLB had large offers from more prospective buyers in cities out west. The league also wanted to prevent against rival leagues because it wouldn’t be prosperous for the game or the MLB as a whole. The games would be more predictable and a one sided match. While making the move they opened up a huge variety of ways a team could go all the way and keep the fans interested in the game.
In the 1950’s to the 60’s major league baseball set its sights on moving west. At first, moving to the west coast was just an idea but teams were very reluctant to actually put forth action and make it happen. The first two teams to make a move to the west where the Brooklyn dodgers and the New York giants, who would soon become the Los Angeles dodgers and the San Francisco Giants. The Move of the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York giants to California opened the west coast up for business for baseball teams. This move brought forth many opportunities not only for the two teams but for the league as a whole. Also air travel being frequently used since the Second World War world war, teams were no longer bound by traveling by railroads. Because of the transportation advances to locate teams further apart, even as far as California, it was made possible to maintain the same game schedule.
These relocations were correctional swings within baseballs financial and environmental scenery. The majority of the relocations were not due to change in ownership but because the MLB had large offers from more prospective buyers in cities out west. The league also wanted to prevent against rival leagues because it wouldn’t be prosperous for the game or the MLB as a whole. The games would be more predictable and a one sided match. While making the move they opened up a huge variety of ways a team could go all the way and keep the fans interested in the game.
Why where the Brooklyn dodgers and the New York giants the first teams to move west?
The Brooklyn dodgers move Los Angeles
The Brooklyn dodgers were World Series champions in 1955, then moved to Los Angeles in 1957. The move was not in hopes of winning more championships, but to increase revenue by increasing attendance. After the Second World War attendance at Ebbets Field had dropped, due to expansion to the western region of the states. Solders where coming back home, families wanted to rekindle with their husbands and sons. People were deciding to move away from New York and headed toward California ion hopes of a better economic future. Along with the drop in attendance the stadium itself was worn down. Making it extremely difficult to sell out, even in the wake of pennant race, even though the dodgers where dominating the league at this time.
The Brooklyn dodgers were World Series champions in 1955, then moved to Los Angeles in 1957. The move was not in hopes of winning more championships, but to increase revenue by increasing attendance. After the Second World War attendance at Ebbets Field had dropped, due to expansion to the western region of the states. Solders where coming back home, families wanted to rekindle with their husbands and sons. People were deciding to move away from New York and headed toward California ion hopes of a better economic future. Along with the drop in attendance the stadium itself was worn down. Making it extremely difficult to sell out, even in the wake of pennant race, even though the dodgers where dominating the league at this time.
Owner, Walter O'Malley, had acquired the Brooklyn dodgers in 1950, and he sought to buy new land in Brooklyn to build a new stadium to draw a bigger crowd which would increase the attendance and revenue coming in. The New York construction coordinator Robert Moses sought to move O’Malley to flushing meadows, Queens, but that wasn’t the vision O’Malley had. When he realized that his vision wasn’t going to be met in Brooklyn he set his sights elsewhere. Once he figured he wasn’t going to acquire the land he wanted he sent word to Los Angeles officials that he was interested in talking. Then they offered him the land and ball park that New York would not. During their time in LA, they've drawn over 70% better than a comparable team in another city would draw. (Andrecheck)
The dodgers fans wanted to keep them in Brooklyn after hearing of the decision to move them to Los Angels. Fans created committees to talk to O’mailey and the board as a collective voice to see that the dodger heard their plea. They even reached as far as the media to show the dodgers that Brooklyn was the only place for them to and they were the only team for Brooklyn. Even musicians showed their support to keep the dodger in brooklyn through songs like D-O-D-G-E-R-S, and lets keep the dodgers in brooklyn.
The New York Giants head San Fransisco
The New York Giants moved to California along with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1957. The giants faced many of the same problems that the dodgers where when it came to fans in the stands. In search of a new stadium, owner Horace Stoneham was persuaded to move his team to San Francisco, in hopes of revitalizing the team. The Major league baseball association ruled that in order for either team to move to California they both had to move. This move would mean that the Los Angeles Dodgers would have a national rival closer than the St. Louis.
The move west for the giants was more than just an economic venture, it was a sense of reestablishment. The reason why many people moved west during this period in time was because they felt as if there was nothing left to experience on the east coast, and with all the news of the booming west, people flooded their way to California to seek out the new frontier. The New York Giants move to California symbolizes the people and their quest to seek out a way to re-invent themselves.
The New York Times reported: “Thousands of fans responded to the final melancholy out by chasing their California-bound idols to the clubhouse — and carrying away everything on the field that could be moved. The mass pursuit was touched off by affection, excitement, nostalgia, curiosity and annoyance at the fact the team next year will represent San Francisco.” (New York Times)
What does the move west symbolize?
THE NEW FRONTIER
THE NEW FRONTIER
Baseballs Move to the west coast symbolized the American exploration of the new frontier. After world war ll American families had their minds made up that they wanted a better life. They set their eyes on to the new frontier, which was California. California was the land flowing with milk and honey in every Americans eyes. There was opportunity for work, and to gain wealth. Along with wealth there was an abundance of unclaimed land, which was perfect for starting a family legacy. All of these things is what the move to California was about, and baseballs move west symbolized every bit of it.
The Dodgers and Giants move to Los Angeles and San Francisco symbolized the American family living in the east coast. During these times American families wanted to become more prosperous, and the city they were in had limited opportunity. Taking the chance to reestablish themselves and seek out new opportunity, families moved to the new and upcoming land of California. California was designed to be the city of opportunity for many people. The open land and growing business made it clear to everyone that more opportunity was here. The Dodger’s choice to move to Los Angeles, because of the growth and expansion in Los Angeles would prove to be beneficial to their need of growth and expansion in their franchise. Given the opportunity to expand their field would add to their fan base and revenue. While the Giants move to San Francisco was a decision that was based on the current migration that was in effect. San Francisco was booming from the gold rush and had plenty of open opportunity because of the harbor. The Giants saw this and made the move to this upcoming
and vibrant city in ideas of it being beneficial to their franchise.
The expansion of Major league baseball marked the turn in the century for the United States. While the united states was reforming and expanding to the new frontier out west, baseball followed in vision of increasing its income and fan base. The Brooklyn dodgers and the New York Giants were the first teams to make the move out west, and just like people who decided to pick up everything to make a new living for themselves in California, in dreams of finding gold, buying land and rediscovering themselves. The two teams had the same visions, which made for a great choice by the now Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants.
The Dodgers and Giants move to Los Angeles and San Francisco symbolized the American family living in the east coast. During these times American families wanted to become more prosperous, and the city they were in had limited opportunity. Taking the chance to reestablish themselves and seek out new opportunity, families moved to the new and upcoming land of California. California was designed to be the city of opportunity for many people. The open land and growing business made it clear to everyone that more opportunity was here. The Dodger’s choice to move to Los Angeles, because of the growth and expansion in Los Angeles would prove to be beneficial to their need of growth and expansion in their franchise. Given the opportunity to expand their field would add to their fan base and revenue. While the Giants move to San Francisco was a decision that was based on the current migration that was in effect. San Francisco was booming from the gold rush and had plenty of open opportunity because of the harbor. The Giants saw this and made the move to this upcoming
and vibrant city in ideas of it being beneficial to their franchise.
The expansion of Major league baseball marked the turn in the century for the United States. While the united states was reforming and expanding to the new frontier out west, baseball followed in vision of increasing its income and fan base. The Brooklyn dodgers and the New York Giants were the first teams to make the move out west, and just like people who decided to pick up everything to make a new living for themselves in California, in dreams of finding gold, buying land and rediscovering themselves. The two teams had the same visions, which made for a great choice by the now Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants.
WORKS CITED
The Baseball Analysts: Moves of the Expansion Era." The Baseball Analysts: Moves of the Expansion Era. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.
"Sept. 29, 1957 | New York Giants Play Last Baseball Game." The Learning Network Sept 29 1957 New York Giants Play Last Baseball Game Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.
"1958 And Now, From Coast to Coast." Baseball History in 1958: And Now, From Coast to Coast. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.
"San Francisco History." San Francisco History. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.
The Baseball Analysts: Moves of the Expansion Era." The Baseball Analysts: Moves of the Expansion Era. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.
"Sept. 29, 1957 | New York Giants Play Last Baseball Game." The Learning Network Sept 29 1957 New York Giants Play Last Baseball Game Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.
"1958 And Now, From Coast to Coast." Baseball History in 1958: And Now, From Coast to Coast. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.
"San Francisco History." San Francisco History. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.