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Gil Hodges Photo Gallery
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Does Gil Hodges Belong in the Hall of Fame? Let’s Take a Good Look!
[Ed. Note: This letter will be sent to the Golden Era committee in support of Gil Hodges’ candidacy for the Hall of Fame prior to their vote in 2020. If you can think of any other information that should be included in this article, please let me know -GL]
I’m going to examine the case for and against Gil Hodges’ induction into the Hall of Fame. I’ll try to look at Gil’s career in its totality, both offensive and defense, and post-season play. I’ll also address some of the usual objections. Is Gil Hodges Hall-of-Fame worthy or just a very good player? I’ll try to answer that question.
Gil Hodges’ Major League Record
Gil Hodges played 18 seasons in the major leagues (1943, 1947-1963) for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers (1943, 1948-1961), and the New York Mets (1962-1963). After retiring, he later managed the Washington Senators (1963-1967) and the Mets (1968-1971).
Over his career, the Princeton, Indiana native hit .273, with 370 home runs, 1274 RBIs, 1105 runs, 1921 hits, .359 on-base percentage, .487 slugging average, 44.9 WAR, .846 OPS and 120 OPS+ (100 being the major league average). At the time he retired, Gil’s 370 home runs ranked 11th in history (3rd for right-handed batters and 3rd for first basemen). Some of his cumulative statistical totals, like hits, RBIs, and home runs, are undoubtedly diminished by nearly three prime years lost to military service during World War II.
Please sign the petition in support of Gil Hodges’ candidacy for the Hall of Fame
Other notable offensive accomplishments: An eight-time All-Star, he drove in 100-or-more runs in seven straight seasons, and had 11 straight seasons with at least 20 home runs. In one span from 1949-’59, he averaged 30 home runs and 101 RBIs. His 361 home runs with the Dodgers remain second in team history to Duke Snider’s 389. He set a National League record for career grand slams, breaking the mark of 12 shared by Rogers Hornsby and Ralph Kiner. On August 31, 1950, he joined Lou Gehrig as the second post-1900 player to hit four home runs in a nine inning game, and one of only 18 players in major league history to accomplish the feat. He hit for the cycle on June 25, 1949, a game in which he actually had two home runs. His number 14 has been retired by the New York Mets and he has been elected to the New York Mets Hall of Fame.
How Does Gil Stack Up Offensively Against the First Basemen Already In the Hall?
There are currently 24 players who were primarily first basemen enshrined, so if he were elected, he’d be one of 25.
Probably the most important offensive category for Hall of Fame consideration is home runs. Here Gil does very well. His 370 home runs would place him a very respectable 12th out of 25. In all the other important offensive categories, he’d be in the bottom third tier (Average, Hits, Runs, RBI, OBP, and Slugging). Overall, his offensive statistics are a bit low by Hall-of-Fame standards, although they are certainly “in the ball park.” And again, it must be remembered that he lost nearly three prime seasons to military service.
Gil Hodges and Defense
Many baseball historians consider Gil Hodges the best first baseman of his era and possibly the best ever.
In important defensive categories for first basemen (putouts, assists, double plays, and fielding percentage), Gil excelled. He led the National league three times in putouts with 10 top-10 finishes; led the league three times in assists with 10 top-ten finishes; led the league four times in double plays with 12 top-10 finishes; and led the league three times in fielding percentage with 11 top-ten finishes. He also did well in numerous range factor categories; and he won three Gold Glove awards (the award wasn’t created until the last years of Gil’s career. Had it existed earlier, he would have won many more).
Other notable defensive achievements: His 1,614 career double plays places him behind only Charlie Grimm (1733) in National League history. His 1,281 career assists rank second in National League history to Fred Tenney’s 1,363, and trail only Ed Konetchy’s 1,292 among all right-handed first basemen. Only a handful of the first basemen already in the Hall of Fame have a higher career fielding average than Gil’s .9925.
Gil Hodges’ Post-Season Play
Over his career, Gil played on seven pennant winners and managed another. He was a member of three World Series championships, two as a player and one as a manger. He posted very respectable numbers in post-season play: In 39 games, he hit .267, with 35 hits, five home runs, 21 RBIs, .349 on-base percentage, .412 slugging average and homered in each of his last four World Series games.To be the starting first baseman on this many pennant winners and championships is extremely noteworthy. It says a lot about his value to his team and how he performed when the pressure and the spotlight were really turned on. There are very few Hall-of-Famers with this level of significant post-season experience, and many who have none at all. This has to be taken into consideration.
He had a bad series in 1952 (0-21), but he made up for it in subsequent years. In 1953 he hit .364 and led all Dodger hitters; in 1955 he hit .292 and drove in both runs in the Dodgers’ decisive 2-0 victory in the seventh game of the Series; in 1956 he hit .304 and tied with Duke Snider for top Dodger hitting honors; in 1959 he hit .391 and again led all Dodger hitters.
Objections to His Hall-of-Fame Election
1. He never led the National League in any important offensive category.
True, but the same can be said about recent inductees Tony Perez, Barry Larkin, Alan Trammell, and Harold Baines, and I’m sure there are many others. By any fair measurement, he was unquestionably the dominant first basemen during the Golden Era of baseball, the 1950s. Plus he did lead in many defensive categories.
2. He never won an MVP award.
True, but neither did Eddie Mathews, Al Kaline, Billy Williams, Eddie Murray, Tony Perez, and Harold Baines among many others. He received MVP votes in nine different seasons. Part of the reason he never won an MVP is that he had some of his best seasons in years the Dodgers didn’t win the pennant. Although maybe not quite MVP worthy, he was still a very significant contributor in the seasons in which they did win pennants, particularly 1949, 1953, 1955 and 1959.
3. He went 0-21 in the 1952 World Series
True but numerous other Hall of Famers endured severe batting slumps in World Series play, including Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Stan Musial, and Ted Williams. And, as mentioned above, he more than made up for this slump with stellar, clutch performances in other World Series.
4. His home run total is not high enough
As mentioned above, his 370 home runs place him 12th among the 24 primarily first basemen already in the Hall of Fame. I wonder how many current Hall-of-Famers can match his 11-year span of averaging 30 homers and 101 RBIs? And he remains the only one of the 21 players who had 300 or more home runs by the time of retirement who has not yet been elected.
Another way to look at it is that Gil Hodges’ 370 home runs is currently 80th all-time in major league history. Were he elected to the Hall of Fame, his 370 home runs would rank a very respectable 39th among elected members, behind Carlton Fisk in 38th place with 376, and ahead of Ralph Kiner in 40th place with 369.
Also, his career home runs-to-at-bats ratio (19) is virtually the same as Joe DiMaggio’s (18.97); and higher than Hall-of-Fame sluggers such as Stan Musial, Carl Yastrzemski, Al Kaline, Billy Williams, Johnny Bench, Orlando Cepeda, Yogi Berra, Tony Perez, Chuck Klein, Rogers Hornsby, Hack Wilson, Al Simmons, and more recent inductees Dave Winfield, Frank Thomas, Chipper Jones, and Harold Baines.
5. His career batting average of .273 is low by Hall-of-Fame standards.
True, but again, he was not just an outstanding offensive player. He was also an excellent defensive player, as was Brooks Robinson whose average was lower than Gil’s. Another defensive player, Rabbit Maranville also had a career average lower than Gil’s; and there are many others, including such notables as Luis Aparicio, Bill Mazeroski, Joe Morgan, and Johnny Bench. I’ve attached an addendum listing the names of position players in the Hall of Fame who have batting averages below Gil Hodges’ .273. (see enclosure). There is at least 20. Granted many of them have qualifications other than batting average that make them Hall-of-Fame worthy. The same can be said for Gil Hodges.
[Ed. note: Complete list of position players with career batting averages below Gil Hodges’ .273: Bid McPhee, .272; Joe Morgan, .271; Johnny Evers, .270; Willie McCovey, .270 Carlton Fisk, .269, PeeWee Reese, .269; Joe Gordon, .268; Bobby Wallace, .268; Johnny Bench, .267; Brooks Robinson, .267; Mike Schmidt, .267; Luis Aparicio, .262; Gary Carter, .262; Reggie Jackson, .262; Ozzie Smith, .262; Joe Tinker, .262; Bill Mazeroski, .260; Rabbit Maranville, .258; Harmon Killebrew, .256; Ray Schalk, .253]
6. His managerial record is below .500.
True, but should he be penalized for taking on the thankless job of managing lowly expansion teams? The expansion Washington Senators improved every year Gil was at the helm. And what about the Mets, in only their seventh year of existence when he arrived? He took a position at which even a great manager like Casey Stengel had little to no success. And what did he do with this difficult task? Within two years, he turned the team into the “Miracle Mets” and led them to an amazing 100-62 record (.617), and to a truly historic upset World Series championship over the heavily-favored Baltimore Orioles. In doing so, the Mets under Gil Hodges’ leadership became the first World Series winner to have finished 15 games under .500 the previous year. Gil was named the Sporting News Manager of the Year for 1969.
7. There are too many Dodgers from that team already in the Hall of Fame
That’s true, but should Gil Hodges be snubbed just because he was on a good team with a lot of stars? Looking at the 1955 Dodger roster, the year that represents the pinnacle of their success, we find four regulars who were later enshrined in the Hall of Fame: PeeWee Reese, Duke Snider, Roy Campanella, and Jackie Robinson. Sandy Koufax played a minor role, and Don Drysdale didn’t start contributing until 1957. Two others, Tom Lasorda and Walter Alston, gained entry as managers. This is a team that won five pennants and two World championships during the Fifties. If you go back three years in the 1940s, add in another two. If elected, Gil Hodges would be the fifth regular selected from the Dodgers of this era.
By contrast, the Chicago Cubs of the Leo Durocher era never won anything, and also have four regulars in the Hall: Ron Santo, Ernie, Banks, Billy Williams, and Fergie Jenkins. I think a team with as many accomplishments as the Brooklyn Dodgers could stand to be rewarded with one more deserving Hall-of-Famer. Of those Dodgers already enshrined, Gill rates very well.
In Summary: Is It Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?
In judging Gil Hodges’ qualifications for the Hall of Fame, I think it’s important to judge his career in its totality. True, some, not all, of his offensive numbers, while very good, are low by HOF standards; but he was more than just a fine offensive player. He excelled in defensive, one of the best first basemen of his generation, maybe of all time. A mainstay of many Dodger championship teams in the Golden Era of baseball, his post-season play with seven pennants and three World Series championships is very notable and, in my opinion, significantly enhances his HOF qualifications.
Consider this: Gil has also received more votes for the Hall of Fame than any other player not selected. He appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot the maximum 15 times, and got 63.4% of the vote in 1983, his highest total in his final year of eligibility. Amazingly, seven players who finished behind him in voting that season eventually made it into the Hall of Fame: Nellie Fox, Billy Williams, Red Schoendienst, Jim Bunning, Orlando Cepeda, Bill Mazeroski and Joe Torre (who was pushed over the top by his managing career).
And there’s more: During his regular 15-year period of eligibility, with voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, Gill appeared on the same ballot numerous times with 13 players who were later enshrined. In head-to-head voting, Gil almost always received more votes than these 13 players. One of my readers, Mark Moreno, elaborated upon this point:
“What if I told you that 13 future Hall of Fame members regularly received less support from the baseball writers than Gil Hodges. Yes, the actual writers – the ones who saw them all play every day – each year routinely voted Gil ahead of all 13.” (The numbers below indicate how many times Gil was on the same ballot with the named player – and how many times Gil received more votes):
“Gil was 3 for 3 vs. Bobby Doerr; 4 for 4 vs. Orlando Cepeda; 4 for 5 vs. Johnny Mize; 6 for 6 vs. Bill Mazeroski; 6 for 6 (plus 1 tie) vs. Hal Newhouser; 7 for 7 vs. Jim Bunning; 8 for 8 vs. Phil Rizzuto; 8 for 11 vs. Enos Slaughter; 9 for 9 vs. George Kell; 9 for 10 vs. Pee Wee Reese; 13 for 13 vs. Nellie Fox; 14 for 14 vs. Richie Ashburn; 15 for 15 vs. Red Schoendienst. Eventually, all these players were elected into the Hall of Fame. Gil Hodges, who out-voted every one of them, has not.”
Mark further commented:
“Please point out to the Veterans’ Golden Era committee voters that this is why there is a Veterans Committee in the first place. Their one and only job is to enshrine the most HOF worthy player who has somehow slipped through the cracks up to now. The most deserving player without a doubt is and always has been Gil Hodges!!!”
As far as intangibles like character, leadership, and integrity, there were few better than Gil Hodges. A deeply religious man, he was devoted to his family and played an active role in his community, especially with youth sports. And how was he viewed by his teammates? To say he was admired and respected would be a gross understatement:
Jackie Robinson: “Gil was the heart and soul of the Brooklyn Dodgers.”
Duke Snider: “He was a great player but an even greater man.”
Johnny Podres: “I’ve never met a finer man.”
Pee Wee Reese: “If you had a son, you’d want him to grow to be just like Gil Hodges.”
Roy Campanella: “Gil Hodges is a Hall-of-Fame man.”
Clem Labine: “Brooklyn fans knew their baseball and Gil was the only player I can remember whom the fans never, I mean never, booed.”
Other comments:
Joe Garagiola: “Gil was the best fielder I ever saw.”
HOF’er Joe Morgan: “Gil should have been in the Hall of Fame a long time ago.”
New York Times sportswriter, Arthur Daley: “Gil Hodges was such a noble character in so many respects that I believe him to have been one of the finest men I met in sports or out of it.”
Not many are aware that Gil lost almost three years in his prime to military service as a decorated Marine during World War II, earning the Bronze Star with combat “V” for heroism under fire in Okinawa. I feel this is a salient point that is often overlooked and that members of the committee should be made aware of it. There is certainly a strong case to be made that Gil belongs in the Hall of Fame, but I often wonder what Gil’s statistics would look like if he had not lost these three years in his prime. When considering the careers of many other star players (DiMaggio, Williams, Musial come to mind), their military service is always mentioned and taken into consideration. Not so with Gil. This is a point that I would like to stress to the committee.
Unfortunately, Gil’s passing at the young age of 48 removed him from the public eye and certainly diminished his exposure in baseball circles. Who knows what he might have done with another 20 years as a manager?
This paragraph from his SABR biography by John Saccoman provides perhaps the best summary of Gil’s career achievements:
“Gil Hodges led all major-league first basemen of the 1950s in home runs (310), games (1,477), at-bats (5,313), runs (890), hits (1,491), runs batted in (1,001), total bases (2,733), strikeouts (882), and extra-base hits (585). He made the All-Star team eight times, every year from 1949-55 and again in 1957, the most of any first baseman of the time. In addition, Hodges was considered the finest defensive first baseman of the era, winning Gold Gloves the first three years they were given out (1957-59, and there were no separate AL and NL awards). Also, he was second among all players in the 1950s in home runs and RBIs, third in total bases and eighth in runs. Not to mention the managerial feat of 1969. Did his premature death cause people to forget about his greatness?”
I ask you, what other reason can there be?
Considering all factors, I feel Gil Hodges is more than qualified and would be an outstanding addition to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. On behalf of my readers, the Hodges family, and Gil Hodges’ legacy, I pledge to do my part to help correct a baseball injustice that has gone on too long.
In this paper, I have put Gil Hodges’ credentials for selection to the Hall of Fame before the committee. It is my hope that the members will seriously consider bestowing upon Gil Hodges the posthumous honor of which he is so well-deserving: Enshrinement in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Gary Livacari
Information: Excerpts edited from the Gil Hodges Wikipedia page; Statistics from Baseball-Reference.com
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Yes. Hodges got over 50% of the BBWAA 11 times so he was at least a “majority” pick. At the time he retired, Hodges’ 370 HR were the 11th most in history (3rd most for RH batters and 3rd most for 1B). Throw in the ’69 WS win and you have Cooperstown credentials.
There’s more to it than this but I ask two questions to get me started when it comes to borderline candidates:
1. Was he an important figure in the history of the game?
If “Yes,” then the next question:
2. Was he as good as or better than multiple players at his position who are already in the Hall of Fame?
The answer is Yes for both.
Hodges is borderline and the arguments against are understandable. I think there are other players outside the Hall that are probably more worthy. For me though he makes it.
Thanks Chris…I agree with all that.
Also Ted Williams snubbed Gil election in 1992 when Gil needed one vote to get in via Vet committee but Teddy ball refused Campy vote
For Gil from LA hospital saying Teddy Ball rules say you must.be present to vote
A Hall of Fame player and HOF person. Put him and other deserving players such as Minnie Minnoso in HOF without further delay. Never too late to correct a wrong!
Thanks…I agree.
Ted williams was a vindictive SOB.He was fire a s the MGR of the SENATORS,and he felt Gill went be hind his back,Gil was not that kind of person.He put BILL MAZEROSKI in HOF as a vavor to someone. Maz was a good ballplayer,not HOF material. Tony Perez is in the HOF,and GILS stats are practicaly the same. SOME WHERE IS THE JUSTICE.
IT about time they correct this.
I am a former BROOKLYNITE,and loved the DODGERS.
Thank you for the reply, You are right on all counts. I cannot take anything away from Ted Williams as a ball player or as a patriot for his bravery as a pilot. However his actions as far as keeping Campanella’s vote out of the HOF voting lowers my respect for him as a person. Gil Hodges was a great person and a great ball player and very deserving of the HOF.
John,
I think your memory is a little fuzzy on Williams and Hodges.
Williams was not fired as manager of the Senators. He went with the franchise as it moved to Texas and managed them through 1972.
Gil Hodges died before the beginning of the 1972 season and was still managing the Mets at the time. Thus, Gil would have had to come back from the dead for that scenario to be true.
Not disputing his disallowing Campanella’s vote that would have elevated Hodges, but there was no vindication because Williams thought Hodges went behind his back to have him fired as manager.
Gil set the bar for honesty and integrity and these are the HOF standards in addition to stats Gil is perhaps the best fielding first baseman ever. What first baseman did you ever see field a sac bunt , tag the butter and throw to second for a double play.
If it were not for Teddyball Gil would have been in hall in I believe 1992. Even Buck Oneil in his hall speech re Negro players being entered to hall noted Gil should be in the HOF.
https://dyn1.heritagestatic.com/lf?set=path%5B2%2F1%2F1%2F3%2F1%2F21131139%5D&call=url%5Bfile%3Aproduct.chain%5D
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Gil and Ted in a magazine ad together. Don’t understand where animosity toward Gil from Ted would be genuine. I’ve read that Earl Weaver was more vindictive toward Gil when he was part of Veteran’s Committee because of the shoe polish incident in the ‘69 WS.
Yes!
Barry Larkin won the MVP in 1995. Total head scratcher that Tony Perez is in the Hall. I believe in the “big hall” argument, but if Hodges is in, a lot of other guys need to be first. Whitaker, Grich, Simmons, etc etc. I’d let them all in, but on his merits, when compared to the players in the hall currently, it’s a definite no.
I understand what you’re saying and you make good points. I guess my objection is that you’re just looking at his offensive numbers. Good, but certainly low my HOF standards. If you just looked at Brooks Robinson’s offensive stats, he’d never be in. You have to look at his complete package. I’m trying to look at Gil Hodges the same way, in totality, taking defensive and post-season play into account. To me he looks a lot better when you do that.
Yes! Gil should have been elected to the hall of fame a long time ago. You have noted all of the reasons why he is more than deserving of election.
Yes!
The totality of what was the Brooklyn Dodgers would not exist in the 1950’s had it not been for Gull Hodges. His exclusion from the museum honoring greatness in baseball is inexcusable. It matters little to me where you find players to compare him with, the point is as a player/manager/advocate for the game, who unfortunately passed away too early, Gil Hodges was incomparable. He not only deserves to be in the hall, but he deserves a posthumous apology for the delay in getting him there.
Great points!
It may not make much difference at this late date, but I have long considered Gil’s exclusion from The Hall one of the great injustices of the modern era. Anyone reading your commentary who is not yet quite persuaded need only review the published standards for enshrinement to see that it’s true: “Record, ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character and contribution to the game.” If those criteria do not describe The Great Gil to a tee, then nothing does.
Every time I look at a shot of Brooklyn’s thunder from the ‘fifties, what do I see? Campy, The Duke, Jackie, Pee Wee — and Gil Hodges. Then I ask myself, “What’s wrong with this picture?” But the fault isn’t in the picture; it’s with the Veterans Committee!
You may be right that Gil’s batting achievements were not stellar, but he did happen to have an eleven-year run, 1949-59, when he averaged 30 homers and 101 RBIs per season, and his career home runs-to-at-bats ratio was higher than such sluggers as Stan Musial, Yaz, Al Kaline, Billy Williams, Johnny Bench, Orlando Cepeda, Yogi Berra, Tony Perez, Chuck Klein, Rogers Hornsby and Al Simmons, all HOFers remembered and honored for their power, along with other traits. It is way past time for the voters to give this amazing and unsung baseball hero his rightful due by electing him to the Hall of Fame.
Many thanks for a most interesting article.
Thanks so much Mike…You make some great points. I want to do everything and anything I can to help overturn this injustice. If my article helps just a little bit, than I’ll be pleased…
If Pee Wee Reese and Phil Rizzutto are HOF, then Hodges is HOF.
Over the last 25 years,I think the standards have been more inclusive of overall stats, whereas I think offensive stats were the only benchmark in the first 50 years.
During the 1950’s what other 1st baseman would any of the other 15 teams want on their team?
I became a Dodger fan in the early 50’s in no small part because of Gil Hodges. He is etched in my memory forever. He also guided the Mets to a title, no small feat. I think he belongs in the HOF and should have been enshrined there many years ago. If you are a Dodger fan of long standing you love Gil Hodges.
Thanks Dennis…many others share your sentiments, Dodger fans or not.
Hi Gary, one more time:
I happened to catch an old interview with Yankee fan Billy Crystal last night in which he lamented the Dodgers’ departure from New York many years back. He mentioned Brooklyn’s greatest, as follows: “Jackie, The Duke, Gil, Campy and Pee Wee,” and told how he missed all those icons when Walter O’Malley blew town, even though Crystal was a Mantle booster first, last and always.
Nobody ever lists the Dodger icons of the 1950s without including that “monument of power and agility,” a.k.a. The Great Gil Hodges. Why, oh why, is he still waiting for his rightful place on the wall of The Hall?
Many thanks again,
Michael
I watched Gil play from 1951-57 as a Brooklyn Dodger. He was, with little doubt, the best firstbaseman of his time. That stands for a lot. His RBI total suffered because the Dodger lineup was so strong, there were many times that Jackie Robinson, or one of the other p[layers knocked in men on base leaving Gil with either one runner or none when he came to bat.
Gil, because of his incredible footwork at first base vcreated the “around the base” out. He was so quick that it was hard to determine if he actually touched the base or not.
It should be noted that he came up as a catcher and converted to first base.
One of the reasons the “Old Timers ” Committee voted him down was the strong lobby against him by Ted Williams, who felt that Gil showed him up as manager of the lowly Washington Senators.
Then, again, some players felt that there were too many Brooklyn Dodgers from that decade (Reese, Robinson, Snider, Campanella, Koufax, Drysdale, Alston – Durocher?
But he is an HOFer whether elected or not.
I think it is criminal that he has not been enshrined.
Great points…I agree with them all!
That was well written and I might add Gil was a great guy.
GIL IS MY HERO AND LONG OVERLOOKED BY COOPERSTOMN. THX TO TED WILLIAMS HE IS NOT IN HALL AS ABOUT 1990 GIL WAS ONE VOTE SHY AND CAMPY WAS ON COMMITTEE AND SICK IN CAL. SO CALLED IN VOTE WHICH WOULD PUT GIL IN HALL BUT TED REFUSED SAYING COULD ONLY VOTE IF PRESENT–TEDDY BALL–AND KNOW FACT THAT TED DISLIKED GIL.
BUT GARY YOU DID GREAT JOB—ON 1/8/19 TOM VERDUCCI, GILS UNCLE, PUT IN PLEA FOR GIL ON MAD DOG SHOW—GUESS WE MUST WAIT TIL VET COMMITTEE VOTES ON GIL AGAIN WHICH I THINK IS IN DEC 2019
BEST REGARDS
JOE D’AGOSTIN , BROOKLYN BUM NOW IN NORWALK ,CT
Thanks Joe! I agree with everything you said. Let’s organize a movement for Gil to the Hall. I’ll be glad to help anyway I can.
Hi Gary,
Please include me in any such project. For me, “See Naples and die” has given ground to “see Gil Hodges enshrined and die.”
And Joe is exactly right about the rejected Campanella vote and the small-mindedness of Teddy Ballgame leading to it. Justice, anyone?
Thank you,
Michael
Thanks Michael…I’ll keep you posted if anything comes of this. I replied to Joe and I’m hoping we can reach Tom Verducci. Hopefully, that could lead to the start of something.
Hi Gary,
Even though I am very much a Yankee fan Gil Hodges belongs in the HOF!!!
Without Gil’s 2 RBI’s in game 7 of the 1955 series Brooklyn would still be waiting for next year. Those 2 RBI’s in the most important pressure packed game in Brooklyn Dodger history more than makes up for any past post season slump. Jackie, Duke, Campy, Pee Wee etc. didn’t drive anyone home that day. It was Gil and Gil alone that came through in what became the most important game in Brooklyn Dodger history. He didn’t crumble under the pressure he excelled just the way a Hall Of Famer should. As a Yankee fan if we had to lose to the Dodgers, history should note that no man was more beloved, deserving and honorable.Thus making it a little easier to stomach the ruin of our 1955 season. Solely due to the clutch batting of Gil Hodges in the 7th and deciding game of the 1955 World Series.
Everyone also forgets that Gil lost what would have been his 1st 3 full years of MLB to fight as a marine for our country in WW2. Think of what his career stats would have been with at least 1500 more at bats while he was in his prime. Possibly 500 home runs and 1500 RBI’s as a righty batter before expansion and band box stadiums. Not to mention that in typical Gil style he never brought up his exploits during the war. This major loss of prime career playing time to fight for our country needs to be emphasized to all HOF voters. Gil was a hero on and off the field and needs to be recognized as such! As a country we need Gil in the baseball HOF!!!
Please keep me informed if there is any way that a very die hard Yankee and Gil Hodges fan could some how bring all these facts to light. Putting them all squarely in front of every HOF voter to finally right this wrong. Thus getting him into the HOF where he should have been so very long ago.
Thanks Mark for your great post and for filling me in on his years lost to WWII. I somehow was not aware of that. You’re absolutely right…add 1500 at-bats in his prime to his career, and he’d be with the all-time greats. I’ll definitely keep you in mind if I’m able to get some kind of movement in his behalf organized. Thanks again for all the heartfelt info. Gary
Hi Gary,
FYI: There is an error in this post and the sign the Gil Hodges HOF petition post.
Both incorrectly have Gil’s lifetime slugging % as .467 when it actually is .487. If possible you may want to correct this, especially on the HOF petition post. Who knows the difference between .467 and .487 may even get him more HOF support.
Also you asked if anyone had any further info to add onto what you had already gathered to further make Gil’s HOF case, to please contact you, see below.
What if I told you that 13 future veterans elected HOF members regularly received LESS support from the baseball writers than Gil Hodges. Yes, the actual writers who saw them ALL play every day each year routinely voted Gil ahead of ALL 13.
Gil was 3 for 3 vs. Bobby Doerr HOF Vet. Com. 1986 Died 2017
4/4 vs. Orlando Cepeda HOF Vet. Com.1999 Still Alive
4/5 vs. Johnny Mize HOF Vet. Com. 1981 Died 1993
6/6 vs. Bill Mazeroski HOF Vet. Com. 2001 Still Alive
6/6 + 1 tie Hal Newhouser HOF Vet. Com. 1992 Died 1998
7/7 vs. Jim Bunning HOF Vet. Com. 1996 Died 2017
8/8 vs. Phil Rizzuto HOF Vet. Com. 1994 Died 2007
8/11 vs. Enos Slaughter HOF Vet. Com. 1985 Died 2002
9/9 vs. George Kell HOF Vet. Com. 1983 Died 2009
9/10 vs. Pee Wee Reese HOF Vet. Com. 1984 Died 1999
13/13 vs. Nellie Fox HOF Vet. Com. 1997 Died 1975
14/14 vs. Richie Ashburn HOF Vet. Com. 1995 Died 1997
15/15 vs. Red Schoendienst HOF Vet. Com. 1989 Died 2018
For every player that Gil did actually lose or tie a vote with, his 1st year on the ballot was responsible for at least one of those losses or tie.
All but one of the 13 were STILL alive when the Vet. Com. elected them.
Leading one to believe that yes Gil’s early death has unfortunately led to an out of sight out of mind, void to the Vet. Com. How else could one explain the numbers of still living but ALL lesser vote getting players leap frogging over Gil into the HOF.
Please point out to the Vet. golden era voters that this is why there is a Vet. Com. in the 1st place. Their one and only job is to enshrine the most HOF worthy player who has somehow slipped through the cracks up to now. Whether that player is dead or alive at the time of the Vet. Com. vote should not be swaying the voters.
The most deserving player without a doubt is and always has been Gil Hodges!!!
Thank you for your HOF support for Gil Hodges.
Thanks Mark, corrected. I’d like to include that info you sent. I was having a little bit of trouble understanding it at first, but I think I’ve got it after reading a couple times through. I think it’s valuable information, so I’d like to find a way to word it so that people grasp the meaning right away. Then I’ll add it in a paragraph. Let me see if I have this right, using a couple examples: In the four times Gil was on the same ballot with Orlando Cepeda, the writers gave Gil more votes than Cepeda all four times. In the six times Gil was on the ballot with Bill Mazeroski, Gil received more votes from the writers than Maz all six times. In the nine times Gil was on the same ballot with George Kell, Gil received more votes from the writers than Kell all nine times, etc. Am I reading this correctly? Also, I’ll probably add in a couple direct quotes from you, probably some of what you said in the last couple paragraphs above (and I’ll cite you). Thanks, Gary
Hello Gary
The other day (Feb 5, 2019), I was feeling lucky and so I bought a Florida Lotto ticket while I was in Publix.
I am a collector of Brooklyn Dodger and New York Yankee baseballs, photos and lithographs.
The Lotto computer picked my numbers for me.
The computer picked Yogi Berra (#8), Gil Hodges (#14), Whitey Ford (#16), Willie Mays (#24), Jackie Robinson (#42), and Don Drysdale (#53).
In 1956 all of these men played in New York City at the same time .
As you know, in 1956 the Dodgers played the Yanks in the World Series.
Five out of the six players that the Lotto computer picked are in the Hall of Fame.
As a side note, I delivered the newspaper daily to Gil’s home on Bedford Avenue when I was a kid and coincidentally, Gil’s Farragut Pool locker was next to mine at the same time.
I hope the lottery ticket coincidence foreshadows good luck for a 2020 induction.
Is 2020 Gil’s last chance?
Thanks Jack, very interesting information. Not sure if this is his last chance or not. Let’s hope he gets in and then we won’t have to worry about it anymore!
Gil would fall into the Golden years committee.
Next vote is 2020. No rule that would disqualify, but if unsuccessful, next vote would be in 2025.
Remember, Deacon White made it in 2013 and his heyday was in the 1890’s.
Golden Era
Thanks. I myself am seeking admission to the Hall via the Dotage Era committee, but they told me the best they could do is give me a senior discount at the ticket desk.🤪
As I said before Gil overlooked. Has most sport writer votes of anyone not in hall. Great defense, power hitter, 14 grand slams, hit 4 HR in one game, and hit for cycle not to mention Mets World Series mgr 50 years ago..1969
Honest personality which also counts.
Yes batting average fair but played with great team and a reason they won so many pennants and several World Series so let him join Reese, Duke, Robby, Koufax, Campy sand complete that great infield 4-6-3
Thanks Joe…well said!
Gil Hodges epitomized everything that a hero should be. In addition to his outstanding baseball skills, he was a great family man and war hero. His quiet leadership helped the Dodgers win pennants and brought the miracle Mets the 1969 championship. The HOF is too focused on statistics and not enough on character and integrity. Hodges is definitely deserving of induction in my opinion. I think Tony Oliva, Rocky Colavito, Roger Maris and Jim Kaat are all also overdue for induction.
Thanks…I agree with all that. And on top of it, his stats are good enough too!
Just found your site and this article on Gil Hodges. I am in the pro Hodges group sometimes and the con group sometimes. I read nothing here to flip me pro permanently. He is a very borderline player.
My problem with your article and other comments is (1) when your argument is so and so is in, then you have no argument for Gil Hodges himself. (2) He did NOT lose 3 years to WWII. He had only 3 plates appearance before being drafted at 19. You can’t assume like with a Feller or Williams that he would have put up prodigious numbers. In 1946 he was in the minors, which is probably where he would have been in 1944.
He lost maybe 1 season for sure. His career numbers would have been more, but not significantly enough to sway.
Yes, he also won a World Series as the manager of the Mets, but his overall managerial record is just average at the least. He brought nothing extra to the Senators and had he lived, he would have watched as the Mets traded there best players.
Thanks, you certainly make some valid points. I’ll address them over the next few days.
Qualities for HOF election include honesty and integrity both of which Hodges has no peers. His stats may be borderline but these other qualities included warrant his election to the Hall.
Very good points!
I agree. Plus his stats fit in nicely with first basemen already in the Hall, a point I tried to make in my article.
Hi Gary,
Please use the link below to further demonstrate Gil Hodges HOF case.
This list shows just how great of a HR hitter Gil was compared to EVERYONE else that ever played the game up to his year of retirement. A time when there were only 8 teams in each league up to 1960, then 9 in 1961 and 10 in 1962 and 1963( When Only The Elite’s, Elite Made A MLB Roster).With many cavernous ball parks, too making it not so easy to hit HR’s either.
Note that for 51 consecutive seasons 1948 – 1998 EVERY player that made the MLB top 10 All Time HR leader list became a HOF’er. In fact if it weren’t for the steroid users cracking the top 10, it would still be an ongoing streak to this day, 1948 – 2019. That is 72 consecutive seasons where EVERY non-steroid user that ever made the MLB top 10 all time HR list was inducted into the MLB HOF.
How’s that for the ONLY consecutive streak that even tops Gehrig / Ripken ?
Everyone EXCEPT GIL HODGES of course, with 370 HR at the end of 1962.
Also he was number 11 all time by 1960 with 353 HR, by 1961 with 361 HR so please don’t let anyone try to tell you he was only among the ALL TIME HR ELITE for just one year. That’s three consecutive years even though he lost all that time due to WW2. Without that lost time he would be closer to 500 HR’s!
Speaking of his lost time to the war it wasn’t just the time actually served but the interruption of his MLB service. Plus, the ongoing mental distress that happens to anyone who sees their buddies being blown to bits up close and personal. Anyone that doesn’t believe this would have a very detrimental effect on a very young man, only needs to watch, 1917 or They Shall Not Grow Old etc. and think, what would having those experiences do to my mental psyche?
The emotional horrors of war are brutal and have very long term side effects. So his total loss of MLB playing time 1944 -1946 should not be understated.
It doesn’t matter if some of that playing time might have been in the minors in early 1944. That still would very likely allow for some 1944 MLB playing time and ALL of the 1945, 1946 and 1947 seasons etc. which would have greatly enhanced his MLB career numbers. Everyone needs to remember that Gil only played 28 MLB games in 1947, making his 1st full season 1948. So being very conservative with no war,Gil plays in 28 MLB games in 1944 and starts being a full time MLB player in 1945. That gives him full seasons for 1945 – 1947 or 1500+ additional MLB at bats to enhance his career stats. Without having to try and block out any of his very recent horrific memories of serving in WW 2. Bottom line being in the war not only makes one lose the time actually served it disrupts ones natural progression to the big leagues. Then one must take extra time to try if possible, to put the horrors of war behind you so that you could actually start concentrating on transitioning from the war to playing baseball at the MLB level. Not exactly an easy task even if one wasn’t just coming off of VOLUNTEERING (at 19) for World War 2. Don’t you think that just might exceptionally qualify Gil for satisfying the MLB HOF stated character clause?
This ALL TIME INJUSTICE HAS TO END NOW IN THE CLASS OF 2021!!!
As we reflect upon the July 2020 MLB HOF class today
WE ALL NEED GIL HODGES AS PART OF THE JULY 2021 MLB HOF CLASS
There is NO BETTER ADDITION TO THAT 2021 CLASS THAN GIL HODGES!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Major_League_Baseball_progressive_career_home_runs_leaders
Thanks For Helping To Make This A Reality,
Mark Moreno
Could not have said it better
Gil Hodges belongs in HOF Now
It is a terrible injustice that Gil Hodges is not in the HOF, all of the statistics above show it and without WWII it would have been even better. Further I cannot think of a player that was more of a gentleman and had higher character. What are these so called expert voters waiting for??????
Great points…thanks!
To Jason Hanson: I’m posting your great commentary here on this thread so all can see it. Sorry you had problem posting it yourself. Not sure why that happened.
Gary, I just became aware of this excellent site today while thinking about Gil Hodges!
Here is some additional info on Hodges that I have not seen posted here that further speaks to his greatness during the era he played:
At one time he was the all-time career right-handed home run leader in the N.L. and second in the major leagues to Jimmie Foxx (both eventually surpassed by Willie Mays).
At one time he was the all-time career grand slam leader in the N.L. (until eventually surpassed by Hank Aaron).
Of the 21 players with at least 300 home runs at the time of his retirement as a player, he is the only one not in the HOF.
It was mentioned above (in a quote from SABR) that “Gil Hodges led all major-league first basemen of the 1950s in home runs (310) …. [and] runs batted in (1,001)…” I believe he led all players — no matter what their position — except Duke Snider in those two statistics during the 1950s, not just first basemen.
I appreciate your support of Gil’s long overdue selection to the Hall of Fame. Vin Scully was long said that he can’t understand why Gil hasn’t made it.
When is the next committee meeting that could finally change Gil’s status?
Thank you.
Jason Hanson
Gil is also the best right handed fielding first baseman of ALL time . Ever see a first baseman field a bunt tag the batter and throw to second to complete double play. Gil did it numerous times.
Gary, great analysis and good comments, too. I’m a Mets fan in his 50’s whose father was Brooklyn born and bred and a Dodger fan as a kid in the 1940’s, 20 years old when they won it all in 1955, and crushed and angry when they departed after 1957. So naturally he became a Mets fan in 1962 and that is how I became one, too.
My father always said that Gil Hodges was a clutch player, never padding stats in meaningless games. You wonder how his reputation would be enhanced in today’s environment with all the advanced stats and “late game clutch” statistics to hang your hat on. The downplaying of his defense — a situation not unlike that shared by Keith Hernandez, BTW — is also an oversight. And to ignore him missing 2 1/2 years of prime baseball activity (and stats, too) in defending his country in World War II…again, you wonder if too many baseball people never took a history lesson.
But the one thing that makes Gil Hodges’ entry into the HOF a must is his steering of the 1969 Mets to the World Series. Even if you want to believe that Hodges the player comes up just short of HOF material (we can debate that until we use all the bytes in cyberspace), his managerial success in turning a laughinstock team like the Mets into a World Series winner should have put him over the top. Joe Torre got into the HOF and it wasn’t because of his playing career, it is winning 4 World Series titles in 5 years with the Yankees. I urge readers to get a copy of Maury Allen’s THE INCREDIBLE METS (1969) for the best, funniest, but also most accurate portrayal of how amazing it was to take the Mets from laughinstock to World Champsions in less than 7 years.
People forget that the Mets beat a damn good Braves team (with a sizzling Hank Aaron who crushed the ball in that NL Division matchup) before meeting and beating a powerhouse Orioles lineup that also had a pitching staff that matched up with the Mets and would later field four 20-game winners in the same season. The Mets didn’t even pitch well in the Braves series but emerged victorious.
The only saving grace of Hodges NOT being in the HOF is that it keeps his memory alive even stronger and he is probably more fondly remembered now than if he had gotten into the HOF sometime over the years.
But it would be nice for his family and friends to finally see this injustice rectified. It’s one thing if he came up short when the HOF was still the HOF for truly outstanding players. But to be coming up short when they let in clearly marginal players (with good political connections among the owners, players, and writers) as well as steroid cheaters….well, that’s a bit much.
God Bless Gil Hodges and the memories of the 1950’s Brooklym Dodgers.
Thanks Frankie, that’s great info, very well stated and I agree with everything you said. Please keep in touch.
Gary
One more thing…sorry for the typos. LOL
Haha!…no problem!
Gil belongs in HOF Now
Thanks Joe…agree!
I don’t understand how some of the guys — like Harold Baines (6% of the writers support at his peak) — can get 75% of the Veterans Committee to support them, especially when a guy like that played during the era of cable TV and ESPN. The Veterans Committee was intended for Negro and oldtime players, not somebody who didn’t even crack 10% and played in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Baines had plenty of exposure, he didn’t “fall between the cracks” years or decades after playing, particularly for those whose careers ended before 1960 when TV exposure would have been minimal or nil.
When Gil was up for HOF candidacy, there was still a surplus of players from pre-1936 (the year the HOF started) plus all the great players through the 1960’s. It was EASY for someone to get lost in the mix. THAT was what the VC was created for, not someone like Harold Baines.
I can’t believe that the Veterans Committee wasn’t convinced by stellar personalities like Tom Seaver (R.I.P.), and NY Daily News columnist Bill Madden (A HOF’er himself).
Very discouraging. I generally prefer ballots to be kept secret (especially in an age of social media, with all the vitriol) but I really would like to know what some of the VC were thinking. Would be fascinating to hear what some of them say in favor of guys like Baines and against Hodges.
Amateur hour, indeed !
Thanks Frankie, you raise some very interesting and important points that somehow have been overlooked. I agree with all of them, especially about the real purpose of the VC. What were they thinking?