Does Bostonian or Former Los Angeles Mayor Deserve Credit for Dodgers' Logo?

Does Bostonian or Former Los Angeles Mayor Deserve Credit for Dodgers’ Logo?

by Daniel Popko on Sat, Apr 17, 2010 at 5:33PM

Sometimes inspiration comes from the strangest places.

According to LA Observed, the Los Angeles Dodgers' interlocking LA logo may not have been created by a Boston designer, Tim McAuliffe, as originally thought. In fact, the design could have come from the city's former mayor.

James Hahn, the 40th mayor of Los Angeles (2001-05), didn't channel his artistic talent while running the city. However, he apparently pitched the idea as a mere 7-year-old baseball fan.

Over five decades ago, the young Hahn sent a letter to Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley that had a drawing of a baseball cap that seems to mimic the logo very well.

O'Malley replied to the letter on Nov. 6, 1957 — predating the Bostonian design by over a month.

The baseball fan turned politician isn't quick to accept responsibility for his iconic creation, claiming that he may have merely borrowed the logo from the Pacific Coast League's L.A. Angels as a young child.

When a 7-year-old can have that much of an impact on the city, everyone should have known he was destined for big things.