Los Angeles Dodgers: Gil Hodges by the Numbers

On Sunday, another Los Angeles Dodgers great was added to the pantheon of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Gil Hodges, the first baseman for the Dodgers in both Brooklyn and Los Angeles for 16 years, was finally elected thanks to the vote of the Golden Days Era Committee. Hodges is the first Dodgers player elected to have spent a majority of his career with the team since Don Sutton’s induction in 1998, and he’s the first Dodgers position player to be elected since Pee Wee Reese was inducted in 1984.

Hodges was a seven time All-Star, won three Gold Gloves, and was two-time World Series champion with the franchise. Hodges was part of the “Boys of Summer” Dodgers that played in Brooklyn during the 1950s and was one of the better players in the league during that decade. He went on to manage after his playing career, winning a World Series with the 1969 New York Mets. Hodges died of a fatal heart attack at the age of 47 while still managing the Mets in 1972.

What makes this all the more notable? He was first eligible to be voted into the Hall of Fame back in 1969, but fell off the ballot in 1983. Over the years, Hodges was considered by various Veterans Committees, but didn’t get the nod until 2021. Truly puzzling stuff.

Hodges was discounted for so long, and maybe it was because of his association to his much more publicized teammates. But make no mistake about it: Hodges was one of the greats, and these numbers highlight his contributions to baseball and Dodgers history.

4

For 52 years, no Dodger had hit four home runs in a single game. That is, until Shawn Green hit four against the Milwaukee Brewers, tying a record held by one other player: Gil Hodges. In 1950 while facing the Boston Braves, Hodges ripped four home runs, drove in nine runs, and hit for 17 total bases.

Hodges was the first player since Lou Gehrig to hit four home runs in nine innings and set a major league record for total bases. Hodges and Green are still the only Dodgers to accomplish the feat.

310/1001

Hodges was often overlooked due to his great teammates as well as his everyman quiet personality. He was discounted many times for not leading his league in any offensive categories, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t a consistent contributor. Hodges hit 310 home runs and drove in 1,001 runs during the 1950s.

Both numbers were second to his teammate Duke Snider. In fact, both players were the only ones to reach both 300 home runs and 1,000 RBI in the decade. While Snider was immortalized in songs and debates, Hodges went about his job in his unassuming way as a model of consistency.

14

There are 10 numbers retired by the Dodgers, and Gil Hodges number 14 will be the eleventh. No date has been set, but the franchise has a rule that a player elected as Dodgers to the Hall of Fame will have their number retired. At some point in 2022, it’s likely we’ll be treated to a ceremony in his honor.

Hodges will be the the seventh member of the 1955 World Series winning Dodgers to have his number retired, a fitting tribute, for it was he who drove in both runs in the 2-0 Game 7 win in that first World Series.

When the organization does raise Hodges’ number, he will get the recognition he duly deserved — a great ballplayer and a legendary Dodger.

3 Dodgers legends who deserve more Hall of Fame consideration

There are a few Los Angeles (and Brooklyn) Dodgers legends who should be discussed more in the Baseball Hall of Fame conversation.