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October 8, 1957. As Walter O’Malley prepares to make an announcement later in the day that the Brooklyn Dodgers will be headed west to a new home in Los Angeles, there is a knock at his door. His personal assistant announces that someone has come to see him. O’Malley opens the door to see Chadwick Harrelson III, an eccentric multi-millionaire from Brooklyn known to have an interest in baseball, though he had never owned a team. Behind Harrelson is Ethan Kurtz, Harrelson’s most trusted attorney.

“Hello, Chadwick,” says O’Malley. “What an unexpected surprise. What can I do for you today?”

“I’ve come to talk business,” says Harrelson. “I know you want to move the Dodgers. I want to make you a better offer.”

“I’m sorry, Chadwick, but the deal is done. It is to be announced today.” O’Malley is visibly nervous. Harrelson is not a man who likes to be refused, and is known to exert great power, both political and monetary, to get what he wants.

“The deal is off,” says Harrelson, “pending your agreement to call it off. I have discussed the situation with our mutual friends in Los Angeles.”

O’Malley is caught off guard and is speechless.

“I am not here to ruin your day, Walter,” says Harrelson. “I know you are a businessman. So am I. We both know that money does the talking, so I’m going to offer you a lot more than you could possibly have made by moving the Dodgers to that dreadful place.” Kurtz produced a small slip of paper – a personal check – from his briefcase and handed it to O’Malley. “I suspect that this will help you change your mind.”

O’Malley’s eyes bulge at the figure on the check. He knows he cannot turn down a deal like this. No sane businessman would. This would make him richer than he had ever dreamed. He nods assent. Kurtz steps forward and produces a contract. O’Malley signs ownership of the Dodgers over to Harrelson.

“What about the Giants?” O’Malley asks.

“I don’t care about the Giants,” says Harrelson. “Let them go. More fans to divide between us and the Yankees. Let them have San Francisco.”

O’Malley shrugs. They shake hands, and Harrelson and Kurtz leave. The former owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers stares at the check for twenty minutes, laughing giddily.