Thank you to Lenny Salapare for the following: Ive yet to gather myself to digitally emote anything constructive these past 48 hours. Perhaps it wasnt enough. Perhaps it just wasnt enough that in the time of Mantle, Mays, and Duke that Gil Hodges was only one of two to crack 1000 ribbies in the 50s. Perhaps it wasnt enough that he hit 370 HRs, the most in the National League for a right-handed hitter at the time of his retirement. Perhaps it wasnt enough to be the only player to drive in 100 runs in seven straight seasons. Perhaps it wasnt enough that he won two championships, one as a Brooklyn Dodger and one as the manager for the Miracle Mets. Perhaps, it wasnt enough that at the peak of his athletic prowess, he proudly served his country and was left physically-scarred from battles in Okinawa and Tinian. Perhaps it just isnt enough to be the only player to never be booed at old Ebbets Field. Perhaps, being an American hero just isnt enough to get into Hall of Fame these days. My heart breaks for Joan, Gil Jr., and Irene. My heart breaks every time I gaze out at the pavilions at Dodger Stadium and not see Gillys number retired along with Duke, Jackie, Pee Wee, and Alston. Even the Mets retried #14. The apathy shown towards Hodges by Dodger brass not named Vincent Scully is a tragedy in itself. Simply put? My heart is just broken for baseball, knowing that the man who hit the only two runs in that brought the Brooklyn Dodgers their first and only World Series title in 55 is essentially better off being some ubiquitous, late 1800s ball player with only two existing articles written about them. Chances are, that person is already in. 14 in 14, hes already a Hall of Famer in my heart. #GilHodges #14In14 #Dodgers #Brooklyn #Mets #Queens
Posted on: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 16:28:14 +0000
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