COVER STORY
History of the Dodgers in Vero Beach
1947: Vero Beach Cadillac dealer and airport manager Bud Holman
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approaches the Brooklyn Dodgers about setting up spring training
camp in Vero Beach. Previously, the team had been virtual
spring-training vagabonds. Among others, Holman sells Dodger
executive Branch Rickey on the idea of using a former Naval Air
Station and its expansive barracks for the Dodgers, which had 26
farm teams — more than any other in baseball. The Dodgers sign
a lease deal with the city, which owned the property. Jackie
Robinson joins the Dodger roster, becoming the first African-
American to play in the Major League baseball after advancing
from the Dodger farm teams, which he signed with in 1945.
1948: Dodgers hold first spring training in Vero Beach at the site of the
former Naval Station off State Road 60. In the Dodgers’ first exhibition
game — against the Montreal Royals — Jackie Robinson
homers in the first inning. But poor field conditions require the
Dodgers to play most of their exhibition games at Miami
Stadium. Nevertheless, Life magazine is impressed enough to
make Dodgertown its April 5 cover story.
1949: A swimming pool is built in fulfillment of a promise by Holman
to Rickey.
1950: Walter O’Malley, a part owner of the Dodgers and
general counsel, becomes Dodger president after
purchasing Rickey’s 25 percent shares of stock.
1951: O’Malley upgrades the dining service at
Dodgertown, and executives, major league players
and the press are blessed with a full service
menu and white linen tablecloths.
1952: O’Malley oversees construction of permanent home stadium at
Dodgertown and signs a 21-year agreement with Vero Beach at
terms of $1 a year. The terms require the Dodgers to have their
major league team in Vero at least 15 days a year. Construction of
the stadium is part of a comprehensive plan by O’Malley to
develop Dodgertown into a state-of-the-art spring training complex
that would make it attractive for players to stay on the
grounds all week except for attendance of religious services.
O’Malley hires Capt. Emil Praeger, a consultant on United
Nations building and a White House renovation, to design the
4,200-seat stadium, though O’Malley also had considerable input
on the design. His vision was an intimate ballpark that brought
fans and players together and had no poles to obstruct the customer’s
view of the game.
1953: O’Malley announces on Jan. 15 that the stadium will be named
Homan Stadium in honor of Bud Holman who “continually
sparked the development of the Dodgertown project.’’ The stadium
is dedicated on March 11, with selections played by the
Vero Beach School band, speeches given by civic leaders and a
dedication message delivered by O’Malley. The Dodgers played
the Philadelphia Athletics that day to an overflow crowd of 5,532.
The Dodgers won, 4-2. That year, O’Malley, an amateur horticulturist,
engages in an effort to beautify Dodgertown, planting the
outfield with royal palms.
1954: First Dodgertown Camp for Boys ages 12-16 is initiated.
1955: Brooklyn Dodgers win World Series.
1957: After searching for years for a replacement for Ebbets Field, built
in 1913, the Dodgers announce they will move to Los Angeles.
O’Malley begins plans to build a 56,000-seat stadium. Like
Holman Stadium, Prager and O’Malley work together on the
design of Dodger Stadium.
1961: Famed evangelist Billy Graham holds a Good Friday service at
Holman Stadium. Also, the Tokyo Giants team arrives for spring
training at Dodgertown.
1963: Black and white fans are no longer forcibly segregated at Holman
Stadium.
1964: Bud Holman dies. The Dodgers purchase 110 acres of airport land
from the city of Vero Beach. In succeeding years, some 340 more
acres are purchased.
1965: O’Malley opens Dodgertown Golf Club, a nine-hole course available
to players and the public. After baseball, golf was the most
favored sport of Dodger executives and players.
1968: The first major league night exhibition game ever is played at
Holman Stadium.
1970: O’Malley’s son Peter assumes the presidency of the Dodgers at
Dodgertown as the senior O’Malley moves to chairman of the
board.
1972: O’Malley builds an 18-hole golf course at Dodgertown as part of
a major renovation that begins that year.
1974: Expansion includes construction of an administration building,
which included the clubhouse, medical department, and dining
room.
1976: Clubhouses are built for the two golf courses.
1977: The Dodgertown Conference Center is completed, helping to fulfill
O’Malley’s vision of making Dodgertown a multi-functional
and year-round destination.
1979: Walter O’Malley dies.
1991: Dodgers expand their
main conference facility
by building a new structure
for executives, a
professional fitness center
and indoor batting
facilities, as well as
additional conference
rooms.
2003: A new Dodgers Administration Building/Major League
Clubhouse is constructed.
2006: Dodgers announce plans to relocate spring training to Glendale,
Ariz., closer to their Los Angeles fan base.
2008: Dodgers expected to play at Holman Stadium for the last time,
leaving Vero Beach after 60 years.
2009: Dodgers to make Arizona their spring training home.
Compiled from walteromalley.com and dodgertownverobeach.com
O’Malley
/walteromalley.com
/dodgertownverobeach.com