In the 1950s, the New York baseball landscape was drastically changed when the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants both left the city. This decision left many fans heartbroken, but the teams had to make a tough choice. There were a number of underlying reasons why the Dodgers and Giants relocated to California, and this article will delve into the reasons why these teams left New York.
The Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers were the first team to leave the city, moving to Los Angeles in 1957. At the time, the team was owned by Walter O’Malley, and the decision to move was largely due to his dissatisfaction with the stadium situation in Brooklyn. The team had been playing at Ebbets Field since 1913, and O’Malley wanted a larger, more modern stadium. The city of New York, however, was unwilling to provide the land and funding for a new stadium.
Attendance
In addition to the stadium issue, the Dodgers were also struggling with attendance. The team had a loyal fan base, but attendance had been declining in recent years. This was partially due to the fact that the team had not had a winning season since 1949. O’Malley believed that the team would be able to draw larger crowds if it was located in a larger city like Los Angeles.
Television
Another factor in the Dodgers’ decision to move was the emergence of television. O’Malley saw the potential for the Dodgers to become a major television franchise if they moved to Los Angeles. He believed that television rights fees and advertising revenue could help the team become one of the most profitable in baseball.
The New York Giants
The New York Giants were the second team to leave the city, moving to San Francisco in 1958. The team was owned by Horace Stoneham, and the decision to move was largely due to the same stadium issues that had plagued the Dodgers. Stoneham wanted a new stadium, but the city of New York was not willing to provide the necessary funding.
Competition
In addition to the stadium issue, Stoneham was also concerned about the competition. The Giants had been the dominant team in the city since the early 1900s, but with the Dodgers now in Los Angeles, they would be competing with the much larger Los Angeles market. Stoneham believed that the Giants could not compete with the Dodgers in Los Angeles, and that the team would have a better chance in a smaller market like San Francisco.
Financial Struggles
The Giants were also struggling financially. The team had been profitable in the past, but attendance had been declining in recent years. Stoneham believed that the team would be able to draw larger crowds if it was located in a smaller market like San Francisco.
Conclusion
The Dodgers and Giants were two of the most beloved teams in the city of New York, and their departure left many fans heartbroken. There were a number of underlying reasons why the teams relocated, but the two main factors were the stadium situation in Brooklyn and the emergence of television. The teams were also facing financial issues and competition from the larger Los Angeles market. Ultimately, the decision to move was a difficult one, but it was necessary in order for the teams to remain competitive.
Key Takeaways
The Dodgers and Giants left New York in the 1950s due to a number of underlying reasons.
- Stadium Situation – The teams were both unhappy with their stadium situation in Brooklyn, and the city was unwilling to provide the land and funding for a new stadium.
- Attendance – The teams had struggled with declining attendance in recent years.
- Television – The emergence of television created an opportunity for the teams to become major television franchises.
- Competition – The Giants were concerned about competing with the much larger Los Angeles market.
- Financial Struggles – The teams were also struggling financially.
The decision to move was a difficult one, but it was necessary in order for the teams to remain competitive. The departure of the Dodgers and Giants left many fans heartbroken, but the teams had to make a tough choice.