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Gil Hodges: The Brooklyn Bums, the Miracle Mets, and the Extraordinary Life of a Baseball Legend
A legend during the Golden Era of the 1950s, Brooklyn Dodgers baseball player and New York Mets manager Gil Hodges is at the center of this masterful sports biography, which delves into the life, achievements, and sterling character of one of baseball’s most overlooked stars.Gil Hodges was the Brooklyn Dodgers’ powerful first baseman who, alongside Jackie Robinson, helped drive his team to six pennants and a thrilling World Series victory in 1955.Dutifully following the Dodgers to Los Angeles in 1958, Hodges longed to return to New York City, and in 1962, joined the original Mets. He took over the manager’s spot on their bench in 1968 and transformed the team from a joke to World Champions in 1969—thus creating the Miracle Mets. Yet behind his stoic demeanor lay a man prone to anxiety and scarred by combat during World War II. His sudden death in 1972 shocked his friends and family and left a void in the hearts of baseball fans everywhere.Acclaimed authors Tom Clavin and Danny Peary deliver a thoroughly researched and poignant view of one of baseball’s hidden treasures, shedding light on a fascinating life and career that even his most ardent fans never knew.
415 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 7, 2012
13 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Tom Clavin
44 books515 followersTom Clavin is the author/coauthor of eleven books. His most recent is That Old Black Magic: Louis Prima, Keely Smith, and the Golden Age of Las Vegas.
His articles have appeared in Cosmopolitan, Family Circle, Men's Journal, Parade, Reader's Digest, and others.
He was a contributing reporter for the New York Times for fifteen years.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 11, 2021
4.5 stars
"[He] was a symbol of quiet strength and reliability. He said nothing and was modest, but he had self-confidence and always seemed to come through in a clutch. He exuded an almost John Wayne[-like] aura . . . you had this feeling that he was approachable although he was reserved. There was a notable friendliness and dignity about him. He was also memorable because he could hit the ball into the upper deck!" -- author / journalist (and Dodgers fan) Robert Caro, on page 108
When some folks think of the fabled Brooklyn Dodgers roster of the 1950's the big names that usually come to mind are second-baseman Jackie Robinson (a legendary trailblazer - 'nuff said) and/or center fielder Duke Snider (who is compared to Mickey Mantle or Willie Mays in terms of talent and career stats). Operating at a somewhat lower profile was a tight-lipped young man from a devout Catholic family who hailed from a small-town mining community in rural Indiana. Like his teammate Robinson, he did not necessarily think baseball was his favorite sport OR the one at which he was best at, but he found himself signing a major league contract, and the rest is sports history.
Clavin's Gil Hodges was a wonderful and comprehensive bio of the first baseman. In these more cynical days - when some professional athletes either don't want to be role models or inadvertently become them with their questionable behavior - it was refreshing to read that the humble Hodges was instilled with a strong work ethic by his parents, remained observant in his faith, honorably served his country as a Marine in the Pacific Theater during WWII, was deeply devoted to his wife and four children, and steadfastly gave 100% when he was on the baseball field. After almost twenty years as a player - including two World Series championships with the Dodgers - he switched to a managerial position with the new but perennially losing New York Mets. Just one season later with that underdog team and he was leading them to their very first World Series championship. The widely-respected Hodges died of a heart attack days before his 48th birthday - Jackie Robinson was inconsolable at the funeral service, remarking "next to my son's death, this is the worst day of my life" - and readers will likely concur that this planet was robbed of a good and decent guy.
"[He] was a symbol of quiet strength and reliability. He said nothing and was modest, but he had self-confidence and always seemed to come through in a clutch. He exuded an almost John Wayne[-like] aura . . . you had this feeling that he was approachable although he was reserved. There was a notable friendliness and dignity about him. He was also memorable because he could hit the ball into the upper deck!" -- author / journalist (and Dodgers fan) Robert Caro, on page 108
When some folks think of the fabled Brooklyn Dodgers roster of the 1950's the big names that usually come to mind are second-baseman Jackie Robinson (a legendary trailblazer - 'nuff said) and/or center fielder Duke Snider (who is compared to Mickey Mantle or Willie Mays in terms of talent and career stats). Operating at a somewhat lower profile was a tight-lipped young man from a devout Catholic family who hailed from a small-town mining community in rural Indiana. Like his teammate Robinson, he did not necessarily think baseball was his favorite sport OR the one at which he was best at, but he found himself signing a major league contract, and the rest is sports history.
Clavin's Gil Hodges was a wonderful and comprehensive bio of the first baseman. In these more cynical days - when some professional athletes either don't want to be role models or inadvertently become them with their questionable behavior - it was refreshing to read that the humble Hodges was instilled with a strong work ethic by his parents, remained observant in his faith, honorably served his country as a Marine in the Pacific Theater during WWII, was deeply devoted to his wife and four children, and steadfastly gave 100% when he was on the baseball field. After almost twenty years as a player - including two World Series championships with the Dodgers - he switched to a managerial position with the new but perennially losing New York Mets. Just one season later with that underdog team and he was leading them to their very first World Series championship. The widely-respected Hodges died of a heart attack days before his 48th birthday - Jackie Robinson was inconsolable at the funeral service, remarking "next to my son's death, this is the worst day of my life" - and readers will likely concur that this planet was robbed of a good and decent guy.
March 5, 2021
A great biography about a great baseball player and a great man.
August 25, 2017
Baseball writing or writing about baseball history is at times some of the best historical writing there is. Much of it is drawn from first hand recollections, good and bad. And some of it is supported by what we heard, read and saw during our own lives. Baseball, part of the fabric of my life
I never saw Gil Hodges play and I vaguely remember him managing the Mets. I remember the Maypo commercial with Tom Seaver! Unfortunately I remember the report of his death on Easter Sunday 1972. This book places his life and career in focus and questions why such an extraordinary player has never received his proper due with induction into Baseball's Hall of Fame.
I like the Brooklyn stories best. Ebbets Field, Pee Wee, The Duke, Skoonj, Hilda Chester, Red Barber, Vin Scully, Jackie Robinson, et. al. Oh, it must have been wonderful to have 3 teams in NYC competing for the love of the fans.
And the Mets stories. I do remember Hodges walking out to left field and removing Cleon Jones during a game with the Astros. The excitement of the 1969 pennant and Curt Gowdy's call of the final out of the 1969 World Series, fly ball to left by Orioles 2nd baseman Davey Johnson and caught by Jones.
Those Miracle Mets!
Terrific baseball book about a great baseball character.
I never saw Gil Hodges play and I vaguely remember him managing the Mets. I remember the Maypo commercial with Tom Seaver! Unfortunately I remember the report of his death on Easter Sunday 1972. This book places his life and career in focus and questions why such an extraordinary player has never received his proper due with induction into Baseball's Hall of Fame.
I like the Brooklyn stories best. Ebbets Field, Pee Wee, The Duke, Skoonj, Hilda Chester, Red Barber, Vin Scully, Jackie Robinson, et. al. Oh, it must have been wonderful to have 3 teams in NYC competing for the love of the fans.
And the Mets stories. I do remember Hodges walking out to left field and removing Cleon Jones during a game with the Astros. The excitement of the 1969 pennant and Curt Gowdy's call of the final out of the 1969 World Series, fly ball to left by Orioles 2nd baseman Davey Johnson and caught by Jones.
Those Miracle Mets!
Terrific baseball book about a great baseball character.
March 29, 2021
After reading this book the big question I have is: W.T.H. isn't Gil Hodges in the Hall Of Fame? There's plenty of theories about this shocking omission including the Ted Williams jealousy theory, the idea that there's enough Dodgers in the H.O.F. already, the fact that Gil Hodges passed on at the early age of 47 and many more spurious reasons to deny this great ballplayer his rightful due. Hopefully this injustice will be corrected by the time of the next inductions.
April 21, 2019
This is one of many books on the life of Gil Hodges and how a small town Indiana man was taken to
the heart of New York City particularly the borough of Brooklyn. Being a clubhouse leader does not
quantify in the baseball box scores or in the statistics so many are fond of. But it's there all right.
The fire of Jackie Robinson together with the steadiness of Gil Hodges led the post war Brooklyn
Dodgers to 6 pennants and a World Series victory and then add another for the Dodgers in 1959 after
they had moved to Los Angeles.
Hodges was born in Indiana and the family resided in Petersburg there. He was always an athletic
kid and excelled in many sports. Particularly baseball and basketball and chose baseball as his living.
He was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers under their new regime headed by Branch Rickey. His minor
league baseball career was interrupted by war service and he did a hitch in the Marines and saw lots
of action in the Pacific theater.
Hodges came up to the Dodgers as a catcher in 1947. But there was a more heralded rookie in
Jackie Robinson the first black man to play Major League baseball since the 1880s. Robinson that
year broke in at first base because second base had Eddie Stanky playing. Robinson made history
as we know and was Rookie of the Year. Hodges had in the way the Dodgers regular catcher Bruce
Edwards who was injured. But there was also a most promising rookie named Roy Campanella who
was called up later that year.
The following year Stanky was traded and Robinson was moved to second base. Hodges was
retrained as a first baseman and soon was the best in the National League. He won 4 Gold Gloves
in that position and would have won more had the award been inaugurated earlier. He was an
all star 10 times for the National League. He has a lifetime home run total of 371 like so many who
were in the service would have had more. His biggest night was at Ebbets Field in 1950 when he
4 homeruns in a single game against the Braves joining a very select few in baseball history. His
worst time was the 1952 World Series against the Yankees when he ran into a slump and went 0
for 21 in seven games against the Yankees. Part of his legend was the story of the priest during the
World Series who urged his congregation to pray for Gil Hodges to get a hit.
The Dodgers were Brooklyn's identity and the players like friends. When they left in 1958 for
Los Angeles after finally bringing home a World Series title it was trauma beyond belief. A lot of
the players including Hodges lived in Brooklyn. The rest relocated with the team. But Gil had
married a Brooklyn girl Joan Lombardi and his roots were in Brooklyn now, not Indiana. No one
was happier than he when the Dodgers let him go to the expansion Mets in 1962. Gil was over the
hill and played injured on a bad knee and gave it all up in 1963. Still he was box office.
No one was nicer or more accessible to fans especially kids than Gil Hodges. After games he stayed
till every last kid got autographs. He sponsored his own Little League in the Borough of Brooklyn
that kept going even after the Dodgers left. He had the most noted bowling alley in the borough
as another business income.
He was quiet, but intense. I think his war experience gave him that, possible post traumatic stress
reading between the lines. He kept a lot inside and that may have been part of what caused his
early death.
Gil after ending his playing days went to manage the expansion Washington Senators for a few
years. Then he returned to New York to maybe his biggest triumph as manger of the New York
Mets miracle team of 1969. In baseball's first divisional series arrangement the Mets who were
chronic second division dwellers won first the National League East Division, the National League
Pennant and in five games upset the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles. Hodges and the Mets
were at the top of the baseball world.
Right before the 1972 season Hodges died of a sudden heart attack on a golf course in Florida at
the age of 47. It was quite the trauma for New York and Brooklyn. Gil lived in my neighborhood
and I still remember the mobs attending his funeral at the Catholic church around the corner from
my residence.
It'a a pleasure to write a review about and read a book about a genuinely nice man. Shame he's
still not in residence in Cooperstown. Maybe one day.
the heart of New York City particularly the borough of Brooklyn. Being a clubhouse leader does not
quantify in the baseball box scores or in the statistics so many are fond of. But it's there all right.
The fire of Jackie Robinson together with the steadiness of Gil Hodges led the post war Brooklyn
Dodgers to 6 pennants and a World Series victory and then add another for the Dodgers in 1959 after
they had moved to Los Angeles.
Hodges was born in Indiana and the family resided in Petersburg there. He was always an athletic
kid and excelled in many sports. Particularly baseball and basketball and chose baseball as his living.
He was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers under their new regime headed by Branch Rickey. His minor
league baseball career was interrupted by war service and he did a hitch in the Marines and saw lots
of action in the Pacific theater.
Hodges came up to the Dodgers as a catcher in 1947. But there was a more heralded rookie in
Jackie Robinson the first black man to play Major League baseball since the 1880s. Robinson that
year broke in at first base because second base had Eddie Stanky playing. Robinson made history
as we know and was Rookie of the Year. Hodges had in the way the Dodgers regular catcher Bruce
Edwards who was injured. But there was also a most promising rookie named Roy Campanella who
was called up later that year.
The following year Stanky was traded and Robinson was moved to second base. Hodges was
retrained as a first baseman and soon was the best in the National League. He won 4 Gold Gloves
in that position and would have won more had the award been inaugurated earlier. He was an
all star 10 times for the National League. He has a lifetime home run total of 371 like so many who
were in the service would have had more. His biggest night was at Ebbets Field in 1950 when he
4 homeruns in a single game against the Braves joining a very select few in baseball history. His
worst time was the 1952 World Series against the Yankees when he ran into a slump and went 0
for 21 in seven games against the Yankees. Part of his legend was the story of the priest during the
World Series who urged his congregation to pray for Gil Hodges to get a hit.
The Dodgers were Brooklyn's identity and the players like friends. When they left in 1958 for
Los Angeles after finally bringing home a World Series title it was trauma beyond belief. A lot of
the players including Hodges lived in Brooklyn. The rest relocated with the team. But Gil had
married a Brooklyn girl Joan Lombardi and his roots were in Brooklyn now, not Indiana. No one
was happier than he when the Dodgers let him go to the expansion Mets in 1962. Gil was over the
hill and played injured on a bad knee and gave it all up in 1963. Still he was box office.
No one was nicer or more accessible to fans especially kids than Gil Hodges. After games he stayed
till every last kid got autographs. He sponsored his own Little League in the Borough of Brooklyn
that kept going even after the Dodgers left. He had the most noted bowling alley in the borough
as another business income.
He was quiet, but intense. I think his war experience gave him that, possible post traumatic stress
reading between the lines. He kept a lot inside and that may have been part of what caused his
early death.
Gil after ending his playing days went to manage the expansion Washington Senators for a few
years. Then he returned to New York to maybe his biggest triumph as manger of the New York
Mets miracle team of 1969. In baseball's first divisional series arrangement the Mets who were
chronic second division dwellers won first the National League East Division, the National League
Pennant and in five games upset the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles. Hodges and the Mets
were at the top of the baseball world.
Right before the 1972 season Hodges died of a sudden heart attack on a golf course in Florida at
the age of 47. It was quite the trauma for New York and Brooklyn. Gil lived in my neighborhood
and I still remember the mobs attending his funeral at the Catholic church around the corner from
my residence.
It'a a pleasure to write a review about and read a book about a genuinely nice man. Shame he's
still not in residence in Cooperstown. Maybe one day.
July 12, 2015
This was a good look at the life of Gil Hodges. Hodges was a star first baseman for the Dodgers from the late 1940's to 1960. He helped the Brooklyn Dodgers win their first and only world series in 1955 and the Los Angeles Dodgers win their first in 1959. He later became a manager, leading the Mets to their Miracle Series win in 1969. He died suddenly a few years later. The book gives a detailed look at his childhood, his years in World War II (saying he carried with him some dark memories from his war experience but never saying what they were) and his baseball career. It is a good book, though I notice a couple baseball errors (the 1952 Braves were in Boston, not Milwaukee for example) and some overreaching on Hodge's importance (giving him, not current manager Yogi Berra, all the credit for the Met's 1973's N.L. title even though he last managed them in 1971 - and they didn't do all that great in 1970 & 1971). He ends the book complaining about Gil not making the Hall of Fame yet. I agree he should be there, but the author goes a little too far whining about it. Still, overall all it was a very good read.
April 18, 2018
For a baseball fan, this is a good biography to read. I am a fan who started following baseball in 1959, so Gil Hodges was near the end of his playing career. I was first a Chicago White Sox fan in'59 when the Go-Go Sox won the pennant and a Detroit Tiger fan thereafter to this day. So, I did not follow the National League as closely. There was a lot I did not know about Gil Hodges and the NL in general. What I did know, I had forgotten. So, it was good for me to read.
Although you could not tell until the end, the book was largely written to promote Gil Hodges for the Baseball Hall of Fame. For some reason, he has been snubbed in favor of other players who had no better resume. One possible reason I could surmise by reading the book could be his consistency over the years as one of the best players but without the "spectacular" awards like MVP, Home Run Champ, top batting average. Another would be that he was extremely self-controlled and a former Marine who saw combat in WW2 but finished his career during the Vietnam war years where the tight-lipped discipline he portrayed was not well-received by media types who would influence the perception of Hall of Fame voters.
The book emphasized almost ad nauseam the quotes of many praising him for his character, composure, Roman Catholic faith, and as the perfect role model. He respected authority and expected that kind of respect when he became a manager. He was the type who kept his feelings and stress inside almost to an unhealthy level. He was a stickler for doing all things right. He was greatly loved and respected by fans and players as well as the general public. The main complaints were that he was difficult to talk to for some if you had a problem and media types could not get anything out of him to write.
Although he was a great role model in many ways, his keeping things inside may have caught up with him. He smoked profusely. The year before the Mets won it all (1969), he had a heart attack. Afterward, tried to stop smoking, but gradually started back. During the players' strike, he died suddenly after playing 3 rounds of golf in Florida with his coaches. It was claimed to be a heart attack, but a few days before it happened, he had an excruciating headache where he had been hit hard in batting practice years before, so it also could have been a stoke.
The book is very informative not only about his life but about the players and others surrounding him. Since it was so hard to get personal information out of him, even for his family, that aspect is rather scarce. So much is based on research and interviews, the book seems a bit like a patchwork of articles rather than having a smooth flowing narrative. That is not a fault of the author but is the reality of what he had to work with as well as the breadth of the life story of a legend. I do hope the committee does see fit to elect him into the hall of fame.
Although you could not tell until the end, the book was largely written to promote Gil Hodges for the Baseball Hall of Fame. For some reason, he has been snubbed in favor of other players who had no better resume. One possible reason I could surmise by reading the book could be his consistency over the years as one of the best players but without the "spectacular" awards like MVP, Home Run Champ, top batting average. Another would be that he was extremely self-controlled and a former Marine who saw combat in WW2 but finished his career during the Vietnam war years where the tight-lipped discipline he portrayed was not well-received by media types who would influence the perception of Hall of Fame voters.
The book emphasized almost ad nauseam the quotes of many praising him for his character, composure, Roman Catholic faith, and as the perfect role model. He respected authority and expected that kind of respect when he became a manager. He was the type who kept his feelings and stress inside almost to an unhealthy level. He was a stickler for doing all things right. He was greatly loved and respected by fans and players as well as the general public. The main complaints were that he was difficult to talk to for some if you had a problem and media types could not get anything out of him to write.
Although he was a great role model in many ways, his keeping things inside may have caught up with him. He smoked profusely. The year before the Mets won it all (1969), he had a heart attack. Afterward, tried to stop smoking, but gradually started back. During the players' strike, he died suddenly after playing 3 rounds of golf in Florida with his coaches. It was claimed to be a heart attack, but a few days before it happened, he had an excruciating headache where he had been hit hard in batting practice years before, so it also could have been a stoke.
The book is very informative not only about his life but about the players and others surrounding him. Since it was so hard to get personal information out of him, even for his family, that aspect is rather scarce. So much is based on research and interviews, the book seems a bit like a patchwork of articles rather than having a smooth flowing narrative. That is not a fault of the author but is the reality of what he had to work with as well as the breadth of the life story of a legend. I do hope the committee does see fit to elect him into the hall of fame.
July 31, 2019
Before I read this book, this is what I knew about Gil Hodges: he played for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers, he managed one of my all-time favorite teams, the 1969 New York Mets, he died much too soon, and he still hasn't been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. After reading this book, this is what I know about Gil Hodges: he served his country with distinction as a Marine in World War II, he was a devoted and loving family man, he was an outstanding teammate who earned the respect and affection of the people he played with, he was a very selfless, modest ballplayer who put team ahead of his own accomplishments, he stood up for Jackie Robinson when he faced all the racism and cruelties after he joined the Dodgers, he led by example and was always willing to teach, he was a first-rate manager who made a real difference and was perhaps the biggest factor in the Mets' World Series championship in 1969, and who belongs in the Hall of Fame not just for what he did on the field, but for the example he set as a person. The authors certainly make a strong case for his inclusion in the Hall. All told, this is an excellent, inspirational look at a man to be admired and a story of two of the most beloved baseball teams in history: the Brooklyn Dodgers and the 1960s New York Mets.
July 8, 2021
The story of Gil Hodges is worth reading about. He was quite a man. As a whole the book was tolerable - many parts read like a High School book report and a B at that! The author gets mired down in details especially with explaining who the sources of quotes. This was quite annoying and made for a fragmented, difficult read at points. There is a need for a better biography here but if you really want to read about Hodges you may find this book to be ok.
June 14, 2020
I learn from reading this book that Gil Hodges started out as a catcher but was move to first
base where he became a all-star, he also played other position were his team needed him.
He was a team player.
The writers in this book show that Gil Hodges should be in the MLB hall of fame.
base where he became a all-star, he also played other position were his team needed him.
He was a team player.
The writers in this book show that Gil Hodges should be in the MLB hall of fame.
January 30, 2019
Thorough review of the life of a Boy of Summer. Well-researched.
June 25, 2022
Why did it take so long? Gil was class all the way besides his baseball prowess and a Hoosier that led his life on principles and values. A very good read.
June 26, 2023
Gil Hodges
This iS a great book and I am a life time Yankees fan. Gil was a great American, player,manager and more importantly a role model to all
This iS a great book and I am a life time Yankees fan. Gil was a great American, player,manager and more importantly a role model to all
June 28, 2013
For the baseball fan, like me, this is an excellent read about one of the best baseball players in the modern era on one of the most beloved teams of all time - the Brooklyn Dodgers. I really did not know much about Gil Hodges prior to this book, other than he was part of the Brooklyn Dodger infield that won the 1955 World Series. Before this, when I thought of that team, I thought about Duke Snider, Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Roy Campenella and Don Newcombe. This biography showed not only what an integral part that Gil Hodges played in the Brooklyn Dodger success story, but also what a tragedy it is, that he has not been voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He is more deserving than many of the players that have been voted in, in the last 30 years.
The author does a great job of getting into the personal life of Gil Hodges and how he conducted himself as a gentleman both on the field an off the field. So many people looked up to this man and I had no idea until I read the book. And boy could he hit! But the story about his "slump" and how the Catholic preacher told his congregation on a hot Sunday, to go home and "pray for Gil Hodges" was a great story and it seemed to work as he got out of his slump!
I don't always like biographies - sometimes I learn things about the person that I really didn't want to know. But this one kept me engaged and anxious to find out what was going to happen next in Gil Hodges life. I recommend this book to any baseball fan.
The author does a great job of getting into the personal life of Gil Hodges and how he conducted himself as a gentleman both on the field an off the field. So many people looked up to this man and I had no idea until I read the book. And boy could he hit! But the story about his "slump" and how the Catholic preacher told his congregation on a hot Sunday, to go home and "pray for Gil Hodges" was a great story and it seemed to work as he got out of his slump!
I don't always like biographies - sometimes I learn things about the person that I really didn't want to know. But this one kept me engaged and anxious to find out what was going to happen next in Gil Hodges life. I recommend this book to any baseball fan.
August 23, 2012
I grew up knowing the name Gil Hodges; as he came from the same part of Southern Indiana as my family and I; he played sandlot ball with my uncles when he'd come to visit his grandmother; who lived across the street from my Grandmother. This biography takes the reader from Gil's humble Hossier beginnings to his storied professional baseball career with the Brooklyn Dodgers, their move to Los Angelos, and his advancement into the role of manager. Revered and respected by most who met him; and/or played with and for him; his stoic demeanor hid the stress that he felt; and smoking helped him allay some of the tension. Unfortunately, even after a heart attack, improved diet and exercise, Hodges could never kick the habit. Clavin presses the point that this was a likely contributing factor to Gil's early death at the age of 48. The author's main purpose in writing this book seemed to be that Gil Hodges has still to be inducted into the Hall of Fame; an oversight that needs to be corrected. I personally enjoyed this book, because there were so many locations and events that I could relate to. But the broader connection is felt that a man of Hodges character, on and off the field, and athletic prowess; that has been honored by scores of other organizations; deserves to have his place in Cooperstown. A recommended read...
December 1, 2012
This is a very thorough and readable biography of a man whose absence from the Baseball Hall of Fame is a crime. While the opening chapters were a bit too heavy on quotes from people from his hometowns who "knew him when," the story becomes far more interesting from the point in which Hodges enters the Marines. The story of his career track from great player to Miracle Mets Manager is extremely well-told and features exceptional baseball insight. Throughout, the author integrates Hodges' love for family and commitment to community into the story, and makes a strong case that Hodges' habit of internalizing stress led to his relatively early demise. The author deserves considerable credit for balancing his obvious admiration for the man with frank discussion of his weaknesses as a person and as a ball player. The stories of his interactions with ballplayers, both during his playing time and in his managing career, give us a great deal of insight as to the positive impact Hodges had on those who knew him. The end of the book makes such a compelling case for his inclusion into the Hall of Fame that it's almost like your reading the closing arguments of a well-prepared and perceptive defense attorney. Hodges' next opportunity for inclusion is 2014, and I sincerely hope that those making the selection read this excellent book before the vote.
June 28, 2015
Really good book on a great Brooklyn and L.A. Dodger, Gil Hodges. Aside from being one of the premier first basemen and players in the 1950s, he was also a great man, although a little strict at times. He was also a great manager, first for the Washington Senators and then later the New York Mets. He was the manager of the 1969 New York Mets that won the World Series in one of the most shocking things the world of sports has ever seen. He died way too early in 1972. All this is told wonderfully by Tom Clavin, author a great Roger Maris book I read about two years ago. He goes through each of Hodges' years as a Dodger and talks about how the city of Brooklyn really rallied around Hodges, especially when he slumped. The only thing I didn't like about this book is a couple of times there was researching and reporting errors. For example he calls the Boston Braves the Milwaukee Braves prior to when the team moved there. Other than a couple errors with stats though, a great read and I look forward to reading another book by Clavin. Good stuff.
January 1, 2013
When I was 13 years old, a friend of my father's was friends with legendary umpire Nestor Chylak. He took me a friend into the dugout and clubhouse of the Washington Senators and I got to meet one of my heroes, Gil Hodges. As a boy from Brooklyn, he was always the star in our neighborhood. My first major league game was a Ebbitts Field in 1956 when I was 5. So I had a true connection to this book. For those who don't, I think it's a little to heavy on the stats and not as much on the person Hodges was. But I don't think that was possible because, as the book points out time and time again, Hodges didn't speak about himself, his reactions to events or his life in the Marines. I wonder why the author's couldn't have researched military records to see why Hodges won the medals he did, since I did that for my father and got some answers. Overall, a good book, and the authors make a compelling case why it's a travesty that Hodges isn't in the Hall of Fame. Way overdue. Good book too.
June 14, 2013
This book is pretty much a case for getting Gil Hodges inducted into the hall of fame and the author presents a solid case. It is biographical and if you are a baseball fan who wishes to have a firsthand look at the game in the 50's, particularly the Brooklyn Dodgers, then you will enjoy this book. Hodges' managerial career, including leading the Amazing Mets in 1969, is also chronicled. Ultimately, I would rate it a 4.5 book but gave it a 5 because I did really enjoy reading it.
February 16, 2013
A very enjoyable book about an honest and decent man who loved his family, played baseball, and followed the rules. It's hard to understand why he hasn't been elected to the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. This needs to be or corrected before too long so that his family can see their loved one honored.
November 10, 2012
As a fan of the Dodgers, and their classic teams, I was really looking forward to reading this. Gil Hodges was a great player and a great representative for the game. It's a shame he's not in the Hal of Fame. My problem with the book is the writing. Perhaps it's the nature of Hodges's personality and his lack of drama, but Clavin's prose just doesn't grab you. I ended up being bored.
May 26, 2013
This was a very well researched book about a great man who should be in baseball's Hall of Fame. It lacks the historical and cultural background I have enjoyed in books like Opening Day and Game Six. But I enjoyed reading the book to discover more about a great baseball player and a model human being.
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October 11, 2013Terrific book by Tom Clavin, who I interviewed on Yahoo Sports Radio on his book on the DiMaggio brothers. It was my first read on Gil Hodges and was very impressed. Only one questions remains on Mr. Hodges and that is why is he not in the Baseball Hall of Fame? Must read as a fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers era of baseball or as a Mets fan.
October 4, 2014
Enjoyed reading this book. I love reading stories about old-time ball players who lived in the same neighboorhood as their fans. They ate in the same restaurants, hung out in same bars, went to the same bowling alleys, etc. just like every other average joe. He had a great career as a player and did very well as a manager also.
September 1, 2014
Good book, but did the authors really write it as an extended article about their Hall of Fame case for Hodges? I just wanted to learn more about Hodges, which the book did do a good job on presenting; I don't care about the Hall of Fame.
January 24, 2014
Liked how the authors spent chapters delving into his childhood and what made up the foundation of his character. Makes a compelling argument about why he belongs in the Hall of Fame and I enjoyed the account of the 1969 World Series.
November 24, 2015
Sports books are always a very enjoyable read for me.
This book takes you through the life of Gil Hodges, from his youth in Indiana to his days at first base for the Brooklyn/LA Dodgers and his managerial career. It's full of quotes from family members, friends and ex-teammates. Great book.
This book takes you through the life of Gil Hodges, from his youth in Indiana to his days at first base for the Brooklyn/LA Dodgers and his managerial career. It's full of quotes from family members, friends and ex-teammates. Great book.
June 2, 2013
Even with all of the books about the Dodgers and Mets, this is an excellent book. You will be asking as the authors are, "Why isn't Gil Hodges in the Baseball Hall of Fame?".
October 26, 2013
Very good, though a little too reliant on others' already-published works.
August 31, 2015
A very good book about a great person and great baseball player. Can anyone name a better baseball player who is not in the Hall if Fame?
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