Gil Hodeges (1924-1972): A Roman Catholic "ALL-STAR"

Gilbert Ray Hodges+ was a Roman Catholic Gentleman, Husband, Father and Family Man, a Combat Decorated U.S. Marine Veteran of WWII (At the Battle of Okinawa, serving with the 16th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion), a Brooklyn Baseball Legend and the Manager of the 1969 World Series Winning "AMAZIN'" New York Mets! Throughout the year and especially on the opening day of the Baseball season, I think back fondly on the "old days" and remember this great and humble gentleman who I had the privilege of knowing in my younger days and today, have the benefit of remembering, as "Mr. Hodges". For I had both the privilege of watching him manage my favorite Baseball team and of also getting to know a least a little bit of the “Off the Field” side of one of my greatest heroes. In my “mind’s eye” I can still see him humbly, reverently and prayerfully standing in one of the pews at the back of our parish Church, knowing that he knew that was in the Presence of his “Manager”, while I, as a young Altar boy, served early morning Mass at Our Lady Help of Christians Church located in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York. Mr. Hodges obviously had no doubt as to where his “power” came from.

I remember him waving a quiet "Hello" in return to my star struck child's greetings to him as he walked along our neighborhood sidewalks carrying packages of groceries back home from the Supermarket for his family; I remember looking up at him on that still clearly memorable evening “not so many years ago”, at the Holy Name Society meeting, when I stood waiting, as he signed the copy of his book "The Game of Baseball" that I had won in the raffle. Now, years later, I can still recall and somehow feel the physical and moral strength contained within the pressure of the great man's handshake and the steady, kind look in his eyes, as he smilingly congratulated me on my win. Mr. Hodges inscribed and autographed the first page of my copy of his book in his usual unassuming style, writing "Dear Frank, Hope you will enjoy this book." To this day, I still get a thrill and experience the joy of that “AMAZIN” day back in ’69, when “We all BELIEVED” and the Mets beat the highly favored Orioles in the World Series, despite overwhelming odds, with Mr. Hodges their Manager at their helm. It still hurts my heart when I remember the day, 42 years ago, that I served as an Acolyte at his funeral, after Our Dear Lord called him home suddenly, back in 1972.

One of the many things which I admire most about Mr. Hodges was his seemingly deep and profound sense of humility. In his book, “The Game of Baseball”, he writes of his gratitude to the good people who wrote him to express their support, during the 1952 World Series, which was undoubtedly one of the low points of his outstanding baseball career, when he went to the Plate twenty-one times without getting a hit. “I know I’ll never forget that”, he writes, “but I also won’t forget the hundreds of people who sent me letters, telegrams and post cards during that World Series. There wasn’t a single nasty message. Everybody tried to say something nice. It had a tremendous effect on my morale, if not on my batting average” (1).

Today, when I hear people say that our children lack “powers of example" and “heroes” in our society, the words, “Well, let me tell you about Gil Hodges…” spring almost automatically and instinctively to my lips. As we remember this great Roman Catholic and “American Legend’s” contributions, not only to the betterment of Baseball, but to the “betterment of Life” itself, let’s all sincerely hope that this great man will, at last, be properly recognized by the Game of Baseball that he loved so much and played so well and be, at last, inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. For it is long overdue. Although, I’m as certain as a one can be that this great man occupies a truly honored place in Our Blessed Lord’s “Hall of Fame” and has been cheering on those of us who are still here “on the field” battling our own way Home.

Gil Hodges truly belongs among those honored in that earthly but still "sacred” place, where Major League Baseball's greatest heroes are formally honored and remembered. His memory should be enshrined there, just as he has for many years now, been inducted into, enshrined in, and lives on in the hearts of baseball fans and the “fans of Life” who know and love him, the world over.

References-

(1) Gil Hodges with Frank Slocum, (1969), “The Game of Baseball: Recollections and Advice for Fans and Players from Little Leaguers to Major Leaguers”, pg. 16, General Publishing Company Limited, Second Printing