This is an exerpt from the 1969 Chapter "What A METamorphosis" of the book I authored BANNED in the BRONX The Yankee Hater Memoirs 1953-2005 (see http://www.bannedinthebronx.com/).
Gil Hodges pulled off one of the greatest managerial feats in baseball history. Combined with his outstanding playing career, he now looked like a lock to be on his way to Cooperstown. Here it is 2006 and he’s not in. Why? I don’t know. (Since he became election eligible there are 22 players that are now in the Hall that he received more votes than – i.e. Snider, Mathews, Killebrew). But I do know that as a kid in the 1950’s watching Brooklyn play St. Louis I feared Hodges lurking in the on-deck circle more than I did their 3 Famers - Campy, the Duke and Jackie - whenever the Dodgers were rallying against my Red Birds.
Gil was an 8-time All-Star, and had over 100 RBIs in 7 consecutive seasons (quite a feat for this era). When he retired in the beginning of 1963 he had the most career home runs (370) for a right-handed hitter in NL history - only Jimmie Foxx (534) in the AL, at this time, had more than him. His performance on the diamond helped the Dodgers win 7 pennants and 2 World Series. Despite being right-handed, he was considered to be the best defensive first baseman of his time, as evidenced by his 3 Gold Gloves (1957-59). The Gold Glove awards began in 1957. His enshrinement in the Hall is long overdue.
1 comment:
Mack....your right (again) it's LONG Overdue... I remember my Dad bringng me to Ebbets Field on a few occasions in the early 50's and we always sat behind 1st base becasue Gill was our favorite...Gil was the best right handed 1st basemen EVER and in addition he brought our Mets to respectability in 1969...what a loss when he died. He deserves the HALL
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