Gilbert Ray Hodges, or Gil, was signed by the Dodgers in 1943 and played that year, but in 1944 he served for the US in World War II. He came back in 1947 and played with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers until 1961. He was the major Leagues best first basemen in the 50’s and he was admired by everyone he touched. As a player, he won the Series in 1955 and 1959, and as a head coach he led the 1969 Miracle Mets to the most improbable World Series victory in the history of Baseball.
On the afternoon of April 2, 1972, Hodges suffered a fatal heart attack after playing a round of golf. The great player was dead at the age of 47. To show you the shock on some players will illustrate what the baseball world thought of Hodges. Duke Snider said, “Gil was a great player but an even greater man.” Johnny Podres said “I’m sick.” Don Drysdale wrote in his autobiography that “his death absolutely shattered me. I just flew apart. I didn’t leave my apartment in Texas for three days. I didn’t want to see anybody. I couldn’t get myself to go the funeral. It was like I lost a part of my family.” At Hodges’ wake, Howard Cosell took Gil’s son into the back seat of his car where Jackie Robinson was crying hysterically. Cosell then held Gil’s son in his arms and said, “next to my son’s death, this is the worst day of my life.”
The other 14 I was going to pick was the great Dodger catcher and current Angels manager, Mike Scioscia, a player I remember better because I was a grown man when he was playing. He as a great player, too, and he won a couple rings with the Dodgers. However, even though I was only 9 when he died, I still remember Hodges as a young boy, and after reading the tributes about him and a suggestion from my good friend, Rolla, I had to go with Gil. Another great man we lost far too early. Like I said about Dandy Don, rest in peace #14.
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