Former Brooklyn — and, as no New York baseball fan can forget — Los Angeles Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley was inducted into the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame today.

The induction of O’Malley marks the first time he has been honored in New York City since moving the team from Brooklyn to L.A. more than 50 years ago.  His son Peter accepted the plaque honoring his father’s accomplishments, which include 11 pennant winners and four World Series Championshops.

Sluggers Steve Garvey and Paul O’Neill, longtime umpire Jim Joyce, veteran sportscaster Vin Scully and Ed Lucas, a blind reporter who has covered the Yankees and Mets for more than 40 years, were also inducted into the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame with O'Malley.

"My father was most proud of his Irish heritage and would have loved this honor, particularly since it is in New York, where he was born,” said O’Malley, a former president and owner of the L.A. Dodgers.
 
Created in 2008 with a blessing from Cooperstown, the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame recognizes current and former players, managers, executives, umpires, journalists and entertainers of Irish descent.  Five of this year’s six honorees were selected by a panel of baseball experts and former players, while  O’Neill won the fan vote over four other players.

Shaun Clancy, owner of Foley’s NY Pub & Restaurant, founded the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame.