This Day In Dodgers History: Famed Clown Emmett Kelly Not Re-Signed As Mascot

"Kelly originally created the Weary Willie character as a cartoon figure. He worked various jobs in the circus, most notably with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey before being announced by the Dodgers on January 28, 1957. Kelly additionally had appeared in television and film roles."

"For the Dodgers, Kelly provided in-game entertainment during Spring Training and regular season games. Having created the "Weary Willie" character based on depression-era hobos, Kelly was credited for bringing smiles to fans' faces at Vero Beach and Ebbets Field. Kelly also would poke fun at umpires over disagreements with balls and strikes."

"His arrival was partly due to dwindling attendance amid speculation the Dodgers were going to leave Brooklyn. Their move to Los Angeles wasn't announced until October 8, 1957, during which Kelly's sad-clown persona still remained part of the organization. But that changed on March 18, 1958, as the Dodgers neared their first game in L.A. and didn't renew Kelly's contract."

Emmett Kelly, the famous clown who created the Weary Willie character, was hired by Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley in January 1957 to serve as the team's mascot. Kelly brought entertainment to fans at Vero Beach and Ebbets Field during spring training and regular season games, performing his sad-clown persona and poking fun at umpires. His hiring coincided with declining attendance as the team faced relocation speculation. When the Dodgers' move to Los Angeles was announced in October 1957, Kelly remained with the organization. However, as the team prepared for their first Los Angeles game in March 1958, the Dodgers chose not to renew his contract. The team currently does not maintain an official mascot, though performance characters have appeared at Dodger Stadium.

Read at Dodger Blue