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Gil Hodges: A Hall of Fame Life
In descriptions of athletes, the word “hero” is bandied about and liberally attached to players with outstanding statistics and championship rings. Gil Hodges: A Hall of Fame Life is the story of a man who epitomized heroism in its truest meaning, holding values and personal interactions to be of utmost importance throughout his life—on the diamond, as a marine in World War II, and in his personal and civic life. A New York City icon and, with the Brooklyn Dodgers, one of the finest first basemen of all time, Gil Hodges (1924–72) managed the Washington Senators and later the New York Mets, leading the 1969 “Miracle Mets” to a World Series championship. A beloved baseball star, Hodges was also an ethical figure whose sturdy values both on and off the field once prompted a Brooklyn priest to tell his congregation to “go home, and say a prayer for Gil Hodges” in order to snap him out of the worst batting slump of his career.
Mort Zachter examines Hodges’s playing and managing days, but perhaps more important, he unearths his true heroism by emphasizing the impact that Hodges’s humanity had on those around him on a daily basis. Hodges was a witty man with a dry sense of humor, and his dignity and humble sacrifice sometimes masked a temper that made Joe Torre refer to him as the “Quiet Inferno.” The honesty and integrity that made him so popular to so many remained his defining elements. Firsthand interviews of the many soldiers, friends, family, former teammates, players, and managers who knew and respected Hodges bring the totality of his life into full view, providing a rounded appreciation for this great man and ballplayer.
Mort Zachter examines Hodges’s playing and managing days, but perhaps more important, he unearths his true heroism by emphasizing the impact that Hodges’s humanity had on those around him on a daily basis. Hodges was a witty man with a dry sense of humor, and his dignity and humble sacrifice sometimes masked a temper that made Joe Torre refer to him as the “Quiet Inferno.” The honesty and integrity that made him so popular to so many remained his defining elements. Firsthand interviews of the many soldiers, friends, family, former teammates, players, and managers who knew and respected Hodges bring the totality of his life into full view, providing a rounded appreciation for this great man and ballplayer.
496 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 4, 2015
What a great book about a great life.
Gilbert Ray Hodges (1924-1972) only spent 48 years on this earth, but he accomplished much in that short term: thirty months of service in the United States Marines during World War II, service that earned him the Bronze Star; a loving marriage of almost a quarter-century that produced four children; and a Hall of Fame career as a major league baseball player and manager. The fact that the institution in Cooperstown hasn’t recognized this man’s true stature yet does nothing to diminish the continuing affection and respect for Hodges that spans generations of fans.
Hodges is best remembered as the power-hitting, graceful fielding first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers of the Boys of Summer era; and as the manager of the Miracle Mets of 1969, among the most improbable champions ever. He also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Mets and managed the Washington Senators before coming home.
I’ve read just about every book that’s been published about the Dodgers of this era and Hodges, and while each has its merits, Mort Zachter’s splendid book is distinguished by fluid writing and deep research. He tracked down people who knew Hodges in his youth in Indiana; who served with him in the Marines; and who played with, for and against him. The result is a portrait of great richness, and a thematic unity that focuses on the impact Hodges had on the lives of others. Zachter also provides just enough game action to tell the story of pivotal moments in his playing and managing careers without burying the reader in an avalanche of detail.
This book gave me a deeper appreciation of Hodges’ gifts as a manager. Not only was a far-seeing strategist, he was also a great psychologist and teacher. No wonder every player on those Miracle Mets, even those who didn’t get along with him very well, ultimately credited him with their success. Yet Hodges himself discounted his own contributions; not surprising for a man of high integrity and great modesty. He always preferred for others to be in the spotlight; that probably goes a long way to explain his absence from Cooperstown. Hopefully, the leadership there will see the error of their ways at some point and give him his due. Until then, fans who remember his glory days with the Dodgers and Mets have their memories, and younger generations can learn more about this underappreciated man whose time with us was too short, but whose presence abides.
Gilbert Ray Hodges (1924-1972) only spent 48 years on this earth, but he accomplished much in that short term: thirty months of service in the United States Marines during World War II, service that earned him the Bronze Star; a loving marriage of almost a quarter-century that produced four children; and a Hall of Fame career as a major league baseball player and manager. The fact that the institution in Cooperstown hasn’t recognized this man’s true stature yet does nothing to diminish the continuing affection and respect for Hodges that spans generations of fans.
Hodges is best remembered as the power-hitting, graceful fielding first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers of the Boys of Summer era; and as the manager of the Miracle Mets of 1969, among the most improbable champions ever. He also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Mets and managed the Washington Senators before coming home.
I’ve read just about every book that’s been published about the Dodgers of this era and Hodges, and while each has its merits, Mort Zachter’s splendid book is distinguished by fluid writing and deep research. He tracked down people who knew Hodges in his youth in Indiana; who served with him in the Marines; and who played with, for and against him. The result is a portrait of great richness, and a thematic unity that focuses on the impact Hodges had on the lives of others. Zachter also provides just enough game action to tell the story of pivotal moments in his playing and managing careers without burying the reader in an avalanche of detail.
This book gave me a deeper appreciation of Hodges’ gifts as a manager. Not only was a far-seeing strategist, he was also a great psychologist and teacher. No wonder every player on those Miracle Mets, even those who didn’t get along with him very well, ultimately credited him with their success. Yet Hodges himself discounted his own contributions; not surprising for a man of high integrity and great modesty. He always preferred for others to be in the spotlight; that probably goes a long way to explain his absence from Cooperstown. Hopefully, the leadership there will see the error of their ways at some point and give him his due. Until then, fans who remember his glory days with the Dodgers and Mets have their memories, and younger generations can learn more about this underappreciated man whose time with us was too short, but whose presence abides.
February 24, 2015
Mort Zachter is a man on a mission with his book "Gil Hodges: A Hall of Fame Life." Zachter pulls no punches in arguing that the Baseball Hall of Fame is incomplete without Hodges and then methodically structures a complete argument supporting Hodges' HOF stature. Somewhere along the way a really good book breaks out as well.
Zachter traces Hodges' early, humble days that set the tone for the rest of Hodges' life. From his combat service in World War II through the early years of his baseball career, Zachter makes masterful strokes in painting a portrait of Hodges while he struggles to find his place in the scheme of things. Season by season, Zachter highlights the mile posts along Hodges' journey to becoming a leader for the Dodgers' organization, and a diplomat of major league baseball. As a manager, Hodges sometimes lost his icy facade, and Zachter seems to address those episodes head-on. As a narrative, Zachter triumphs in communicating the story of a gentleman athlete of a bygone era.
Without being shrill or an apologist, Zachter deftly makes the argument that Gil Hodges' legacy may be the victim of his own humility. As more time passes, and the collective memory of Hodges dims, a generation raised on show boating and scandal may miss the benefit of a sportsman such as Hodges. Here is to hoping that Hodges is on the next ballot, and that Zachter's labor of love is in the hands of the selection committee.
This review is based on a free advance readers copy provided by the publisher.
Zachter traces Hodges' early, humble days that set the tone for the rest of Hodges' life. From his combat service in World War II through the early years of his baseball career, Zachter makes masterful strokes in painting a portrait of Hodges while he struggles to find his place in the scheme of things. Season by season, Zachter highlights the mile posts along Hodges' journey to becoming a leader for the Dodgers' organization, and a diplomat of major league baseball. As a manager, Hodges sometimes lost his icy facade, and Zachter seems to address those episodes head-on. As a narrative, Zachter triumphs in communicating the story of a gentleman athlete of a bygone era.
Without being shrill or an apologist, Zachter deftly makes the argument that Gil Hodges' legacy may be the victim of his own humility. As more time passes, and the collective memory of Hodges dims, a generation raised on show boating and scandal may miss the benefit of a sportsman such as Hodges. Here is to hoping that Hodges is on the next ballot, and that Zachter's labor of love is in the hands of the selection committee.
This review is based on a free advance readers copy provided by the publisher.
August 1, 2015
It's OK. It's very thorough and the author knows a lot about Hodges. But it's also dry. The main problem is that I felt like I could see Zachter goes through his notes as I read this. Too often it was just "and then this happened and then this happened and then this happened."
There's a phrase I like to apply to a lot of books (or other things in life) - you can't see the forest through the trees. Well, this book is "here's a tree. Here's a tree. Here's a tree." And there often isn't any sense of a bigger picture. For example, Chapter 19 begins by telling us how union head Marvin Miller wanted to meet w/ the Mets players before a game. Hodges asked if it could take place after the game so the Mets could take extra batting practice. Miller agreed. OK -- so what? I dunno what the point of that story was, but it's in Zachter's notes so it's in the book. Stuff like that is common in this book.
There's a phrase I like to apply to a lot of books (or other things in life) - you can't see the forest through the trees. Well, this book is "here's a tree. Here's a tree. Here's a tree." And there often isn't any sense of a bigger picture. For example, Chapter 19 begins by telling us how union head Marvin Miller wanted to meet w/ the Mets players before a game. Hodges asked if it could take place after the game so the Mets could take extra batting practice. Miller agreed. OK -- so what? I dunno what the point of that story was, but it's in Zachter's notes so it's in the book. Stuff like that is common in this book.
February 23, 2015
The best biography of Hodges to date. Very well researched. Sympathetic but not uncritical.
August 3, 2024
Gil Hodges : a hall of fame life. What a man! What a life! I can see why he was a favorite of The Brooklyn Dodgers’ fans. It’s a shame that the world and his family lost him so soon. Rest in peace, Mr. Hodges.
September 16, 2015
A fine biography of Gil Hodges, one the most beloved players in baseball history. A power hitting first baseman and fine fielder and later the manager of the Washington Senators who improved each year under his guidance and turned the Amazing Mets into the Miracle Mets who won the World Series in 1969
September 9, 2015
Got this free as a goodreads first read -- let my dad read it first, I just finally finished it yesterday.... it was a good book and makes me really see this guy should have been in the Hall of Fame but I think he was just too good
August 17, 2016
A nice read about a great baseball player and manager. I remember him from when I was a kid in Washington. He managed the Senators, but moved onto the Mets and won a World Series. Sadly, he died young of lung cancer.
April 7, 2015
I received this as a first reads GIVEAWAY! Well done! Poor Gil Hodges was given a raw deal, may be one of my new baseball heroes.
September 3, 2025
A solid biography from 10 years ago which makes a strong, if more emotional than statistical, case for Gil Hodges being worthy of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Whether or not the book had a direct influence, Hodges was finally inducted into the Hall about six years later.
I was born 18 months after Hodges died, but grew up hearing all about his exploits, as the Dodgers' rock-solid first baseman, and then as the manager who led the "Miracle" Mets from 9th place to the World Series in 1969. I live in Hodges' adopted home borough of Brooklyn, and while many of the places originally named for him (a bowling alley, a baseball field) have since faded away, you can still drive over the Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge.
Zachter's book, although lacking the cooperation of Hodges' then-surviving widow, is impeccably researched with dozens of pages' worth of footnotes, featuring interviews with friends, players, peers, colleagues, and other baseball dignitaries, conducted over a period of years. Zachter goes year by year through Hodges' childhood, education, military service, baseball playing and managerial careers, and the last month of Hodges' life before his shocking untimely death by heart attack towards the end of spring training in April 1972. The book covers all the important anecdotes, though lacks a detailed statistical appendix.
I've not read many other books on Hodges, but this is a strong summary of his life and analysis of his career. I was thrilled when Gil finally made the Hall, and I'm glad that this book made the case first.
I was born 18 months after Hodges died, but grew up hearing all about his exploits, as the Dodgers' rock-solid first baseman, and then as the manager who led the "Miracle" Mets from 9th place to the World Series in 1969. I live in Hodges' adopted home borough of Brooklyn, and while many of the places originally named for him (a bowling alley, a baseball field) have since faded away, you can still drive over the Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge.
Zachter's book, although lacking the cooperation of Hodges' then-surviving widow, is impeccably researched with dozens of pages' worth of footnotes, featuring interviews with friends, players, peers, colleagues, and other baseball dignitaries, conducted over a period of years. Zachter goes year by year through Hodges' childhood, education, military service, baseball playing and managerial careers, and the last month of Hodges' life before his shocking untimely death by heart attack towards the end of spring training in April 1972. The book covers all the important anecdotes, though lacks a detailed statistical appendix.
I've not read many other books on Hodges, but this is a strong summary of his life and analysis of his career. I was thrilled when Gil finally made the Hall, and I'm glad that this book made the case first.
August 16, 2022
Gil Hodges is one of baseball's most under-appreciated players. Much of that has to do with (1) he is best remembered by so many for managing the 1969 Miracle Mets, and (2) he played on a team loaded with stars and Hall of Famers, the Brooklyn/LA Dodgers. Only in 2022 did Hodges take his rightful place, albeit posthumously, alongside them in the Hall of Fame.
Mort Zachter does an excellent job of giving us insight not just into a great baseball player, manager, and overall baseball mind, but also into what made Gil Hodges tick in terms of character, leadership, and effectiveness. The lessons one can take from those insights are applicable to any profession.
I am a voracious reader of baseball biographies, the best of which are those from a bygone era that give us more than on-the-field exploits. Hodges, Zacter shows us, knew who he was, where he came from, what motivates people, the importance of humility, and how it's the details and decisions we make that determine the trajectory and success we achieve.
This is an excellent book not just about a baseball player, but of a gentleman and 'man's man.' Cannot recommend highly enough.
Mort Zachter does an excellent job of giving us insight not just into a great baseball player, manager, and overall baseball mind, but also into what made Gil Hodges tick in terms of character, leadership, and effectiveness. The lessons one can take from those insights are applicable to any profession.
I am a voracious reader of baseball biographies, the best of which are those from a bygone era that give us more than on-the-field exploits. Hodges, Zacter shows us, knew who he was, where he came from, what motivates people, the importance of humility, and how it's the details and decisions we make that determine the trajectory and success we achieve.
This is an excellent book not just about a baseball player, but of a gentleman and 'man's man.' Cannot recommend highly enough.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews