#Gil May 16

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For today’s 30-Day Baseball Coach4aday Challenge post I am reporting on GIL Hodges.

Gil Hodges was a beloved American baseball player, manager, and coach. He was born on April 4, 1924, in Princeton, Indiana. Hodges was known for his powerful hitting and outstanding fielding abilities. He played most of his entire career with the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1943 to 1961, where he was a key player in seven National League championships and two World Series championships.

In 1962 and 1963 he played for the NY Mets. 1962 represented the first year for the Mets and Hodges was arguably the best player on the worst team in the MLB. Hodges was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2022.

After retiring as a player, Hodges became a manager, leading the Washington Senators and the New York Mets. He guided the “Amazing Mets” to their first World Series championship in 1969, which is considered one of the greatest upsets in baseball history.

FAQ’s about Gil Hodges

1. Gil Hodges was an outstanding first baseman, winning the Gold Glove Award three times.
2. He was a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers’ legendary “Boys of Summer” team that included Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider.
3. Hodges hit four home runs in a single game on August 31, 1950, becoming the first National League player to accomplish this feat.
4. He served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II.
5. Gil Hodges died on April 2, 1972, at the age of 47, due to a heart attack while playing golf in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was about to begin his 5th season as manager of the NY Mets.