Gil Hodges

[G1911]

Personally, I don’t see a good argument World War II shortened his playing career.

In 1943 he had 3 plate appearances in the majors.

He misses 1944-1946.

In 1947, he plays in 28 games and bats under .200 with a 44 OPS+

In 1948, he’s the starting first baseman and plays a full season. He hits .249 and has an OPS+ of 82, which is truly absolutely horrific for a starting first baseman.


I suppose we could say if he’d spent more time in the minors he would have developed faster, but this is making a lot of assumptions, all of them extremely generous to Hodges. WWII hurt a lot of guys careers, but Hodges isn’t a great case of them.

[ClementeFanOh]

"We only care about the HOF because election typically affects card value",
comment by Exhibitman.

Uh, no, "we" don't- I actually care that it be based on merit and don't give a
rip how it affects card value. Not in that "we" group at all.

Trent King

[Kutcher55]

He will get in soon I think. And a lot of New Yorkers and others will attend. It will be a popular election.

[Yoda]

The NYC press loved Gil for his performance on the field and his behavior off. He was the epitome of the gentleman/ballplayer, far different than, say, the relationship between Ted Williams and the Boston press. I vaguely recall that when Gil went hitless in the first 4 games of the WS of 1952 against the Yanks (of course), his parish priest called the congregation to pray that he would get a hit. And when he returned to manage the Mets, it was like the 2nd coming and the '69 WS was proof of Gil's divinity.
He definitely had an impact on baseball far greater than his mere stats.

[jingram058]

Results of the Early Days and Golden Era Days committees to be posted on MLB Channel with simulcast on mlb.com at 6pm today. Each committee comprised of 16 members. Anyone with 12 votes out of 16 (75%) will be enshrined with the 2022 inductee class. Each committee voted on 10 candidates.

[egri]

I'm glad he's in, and that his wife lived long enough to see it.

[vthobby]

Originally Posted by egri

I'm glad he's in, and that his wife lived long enough to see it.

Amen!

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by egri

I'm glad he's in, and that his wife lived long enough to see it.

+1!!!

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by egri

I'm glad he's in, and that his wife lived long enough to see it.

Glad for Oliva and Kaat too, and both of them alive to enjoy it. Great day for Minnesota baseball fans.

Lousy day for Minnesota football fans.