GIL HODGES - AUTOGRAPH SENTIMENT SIGNED CIRCA 1968 - HFSID 345732

GIL HODGES
The borderline Baseball Hall of Fame candidate and one-time actor signed this typed letter
Autograph Sentiment Signed: “Thank You/Gil” in blue ink. Letter dated July 26, 1968. 7x10. In Full: “Leona will be out for a few weeks and in her absence I will be doing your mail. If you have any suggestions or thoughts on these letters, please make any notations you care to and I will be pleased to take care of them for you. Thank you”. Hodges (1924-1972) is remembered as the star first baseman of the Brooklyn (and Los Angeles) Dodgers and manager of the world champion "miracle" New York Mets of 1969. After one at bat for the Dodgers in 1943, Hodges joined the Marines, returning to the team in 1947 for a stellar career through 1961. A consistent RBI machine, Hodges moved from catcher to first base when Roy Campanella arrived and soon earned Gold Gloves at his new position. An original member of the New York Mets (1962-1963, hitting that expansion team's first home run), he went on to manage the Washington Senators (1963-1967) and the Mets (1968-1972), leading the Mets to their first World Championship in 1969. Hodges was voted Manager of the Year after the series victory over a powerful Baltimore Orioles team. Despite being named an All-Star eight times, a World Series champion three times (twice as a player, once as a manager), and a Gold Glover three times, Hodges has not been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Separately, neither his playing career or managerial career are great enough, but together he certainly comes close. The major reasons given for this decision over the years includes his poor career batting average, his spotty playoff performance, and his inability to win an MVP award despite being one of the top players in the 1950s. Mailing crease. Lightly toned. Slight creasing at corners. Otherwise, fine condition.