These were fighting words. No doubt!
Featured above is an October 27, 1953 letter written by Dodgers President Walter O'Malley to Collinsville Herald columnist Elmer Hazzard that is currently available at Hunt Auctions (auction link here). The Illinois reporter had sent along a story he had written focusing on Yankees infielder Billy Martin. Below is what O'Malley wrote:
Thank you for sending along a copy of your column on Billy Martin. We here in Brooklyn do not think that the Dodgers are as inept as Martin claims.
Ouch! Billy was slinging some mud.