How the Dodgers Saved Brooklyn—By Leaving

Who killed the Brooklyn Dodgers?  The chief culprit was long considered to be owner Walter O'Malley, while in recent years, revisionists have switched the blame to New York's master builder—and master villain—Robert Moses.  In fact, considering the plan in place to build the Dodgers a new stadium, letting the team leave was the best thing that ever happened to the borough.  Find out why—and how foolish it was for the New York Baseball Giants to leave with them.

Kevin Baker is a novelist, historian, and journalist, who has lived in New York for over forty years.  A 2017 recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, he is the author of the five novels, including Dreamland, Paradise Alley, Strivers Row, and The Big Crowd, and several works of history including, most recently, America the Ingenious, about great American inventions.  He is also the author of a graphic novel—that is to say, a comic book—Luna Park, and has been a contributor to many newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, Harper's, The New Republic, Politico, The Village Voice, American Heritage, and Military  History.  He has just completed a history of New York City baseball for Pantheon, tentatively entitled, The New York Game.  He is a graduate of Columbia University.

6:00-6:30pm reception; 6:30pm lecture, gratis. Advance reservations required. Members and guests are invited to dine at The Club with Mr. Baker following the lecture. The cost is $40 per person, inclusive of tax, gratuity and one glass of wine with dinner. Dinner reservations are required 48 hours prior to the program. Same-day cancellations and no shows will be charged.