Dodgers and Giants approved to move to California on May 28, 1957

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - On May 28, 1957, the National Baseball League owners met and voted unanimously to allow the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers to move to California.

The Dodgers wanted to move to Los Angeles. While they had won five pennants and one World Series in the last eight years, they were splitting New York radio and television revenues with the Giants and Yankees. Their owner Walter O’Malley wanted a new stadium with more parking. Los Angeles agreed to build him one.

The Giants had won a World Series in 1954, but they still couldn’t pull a loyal fan base to the stadium. Their owner thought a move west would revitalize the team and ticket sales.

The owners had one caveat to their decision. They required both teams to announce the move before the following October. If one team backed out, neither could move.

October came, and both teams announced the move west. The change still rankles some long-time baseball fans in the Big Apple.