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Gilbert Raymond Hodges, born '''Gilbert Ray Hodges''' ( April 4 1924 - April 2 1972 ), was an American Baseball Player and Manager in Major League Baseball . He was a smooth-fielding first baseman, a feared slugger and a popular teammate. CAREER From 1943 through 1963 , Hodges played for the Brooklyn & Los Angeles Dodgers (1943, 1947-61) and New York Mets (1962-63). He batted and threw right handed. Following his playing career, Hodges managed the Washington Senators (1963-67) and New York Mets (1968-71). A native of Princeton, Indiana , Hodges was originally signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers as a Third Baseman . After serving in the US Marine Corps during World War II , he returned to Brooklyn and was made the backup Catcher . Shortly thereafter he was moved to First and eventually became one of the best defensive first basemen in baseball history. He received three Gold Glove Award s between 1957 and 1959, and his career fielding percentage of .992 is outstanding. A great fan favorite in Brooklyn, Hodges was perhaps the only Dodger regular never booed at the Dodgers home park Ebbets Field . Brooklyn fans were very supportive even when Hodges suffered through one of the most famous slumps in baseball history during the 1952 World Series; he finished the Series 0-21 from the plate. During the series, one Brooklyn priest, Father Herbert Redmond of St. Francis Roman Catholic Church, told his flock "It's too hot for a sermon. Just go home and say a prayer for Gil Hodges." The next year, in the 1953 World Series, Hodges hit an impressive .364. A member of the 1955 World Series champion World Champion 1955 Dodgers, Hodges contributed to that victory by hitting .292 with five runs batted in. Hodges held the National League record for Grand Slam s (14) for several years, and he is a member of the exclusive club of Major Leaguers who have hit four home runs in a single game. When, on August 31, 1950, Hodges hit four home runs in a nine-inning game, he became just the second player in the 20th century to do so. Also, he had the second most RBI during the 1950's (1001), and was an eight-time All-Star , from 1949-55, and in 1957. Hodges was one of the original 1962 Mets. A year later, in May 1963 , he was traded to Washington for Outfielder Jimmy Piersall . Hodges immediately retired from playing and became manager of the Senators. In 1968 he was brought back to manage the Mets and led them to the 1969 World Series championship. Hodges died suddently of a heart attack in West Palm Beach, Florida while managing the Mets during Spring Training in 1972, just two days short of his 48th birthday. WHY NOT THE HALL OF FAME? The fact that Gil Hodges is not a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY is seen by many as a travesty. He was one of the finest players of the 1950's and graduated to managerial success with the New York Mets. However, some say that his premature passing in 1972 caused an "out of sight / out of mind" status whereas other ball players, as well as numerous Dodger greats, were in the public eye years after and the exposure may assist with their induction. He has, however, collected over 3000 votes cast by the BBWAA during his Hall of Fame eligibility period. This is the most amount collected by any player presently not a member of Cooperstown! BATTING AND FIELDING STATISTICS (1943-1963) G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO BA 2071 7030 1105 1921 295 48 370 1274 63 943 1137.273 G PO A E DP TC FP 2084 15722 1365 145 1614 17232 .992 MANAGERIAL CAREER (1963-1971) Years Team G W L WPCT 1963-67 Washington 765 321 444 .420 1968-71 NY Mets 649 339 309 .523 TOTAL 1414 660 753 .467 FACTS
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