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Gil Plus 50

G-Fafif Mar 27 2022 08:43 AM

Anthony McCarron talks to Gil Hodges's daughter Irene as the 50th anniversary of her Hall of Fame dad's passing approaches. Still a revered figure in the Brooklyn neighborhood where the family lived (and her mom Joan still lives). When Irene Hodges and her siblings were growing up in Brooklyn, her renowned father played first base for the Dodgers and later managed the Mets. Gil Hodges was first a powerful slugger and a deft first baseman for a beloved team and then a master strategist and motivator of the Miracle Mets. But to the folks in the Midwood section of the borough, Hodges was even more than that. A faithful man who said a Hail Mary before big-league games, he was a regular presence in the pews at Our Lady Help of Christians, his local parish, even before Sunday afternoon games at Ebbets Field. He was such a part of the fabric of the neighborhood that sometimes he'd sit out on a stoop and schmooze the folks fascinated that a baseball man of his stature lived around the block. “He'd walk to all the stores, walk to get pizza on Fridays,” Irene Hodges says. “My friends all knew him. He'd be Santa Claus on Christmas, go to my friends' houses. He was just our dad at the time. As I got a little older, you realize that he's more famous than you ever knew.” Years later, his church and his neighborhood still cherish one of their own. On the upcoming 50th anniversary of his death — Hodges died on April 2, 1972 — he will be remembered in a Memorial Mass at Our Lady Help of Christians, the same church that held his funeral. The Mass is set for next Saturday at noon and two of Hodges' great-grandchildren, Emma Savelli and Layla Ojeda, will do readings. The church will also dedicate its statue of St. Joseph to Hodges. “He is one of our heroes in the parish,” says Fr. Dwayne Davis, the parish administrator. “Our parishioners still remember him. Some of them were children when he died. Some of them can remember where they were the day of his funeral. “Even being a star, he never forgot his faith. He was a very faithful Catholic. It was important to him in raising his family. That's a connection that will live on for us. No matter how big he was, faith was important to him, that honorable gentleman.” https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-gil-hodges-memorial-mass-hall-of-fame-20220326-sl4qzk7c6ngnfewaw4nhfnlpxm-story.html The family will throw out a first ball when the Mets play their second home game April 16.

86dreamer Mar 28 2022 11:40 AM Re: Gil Plus 50

Thanks for posting that! OLHC was my home parish until we moved away when I was in 5th grade. Mrs. Hodges lived one block over from us and everyone had a connection to or fond story about Gil. He signed a hand drawn picture of Mr. Met made out to my brother in me in November 1969 - hangs in my home now as my most prized Metly possession.

Edgy MD Mar 28 2022 11:51 AM Re: Gil Plus 50

That's a keeper.

G-Fafif Apr 02 2022 10:27 AM Re: Gil Plus 50

Gil Hodges Bobblehead Day at Citi Field July 24, same day Gil will be enshrined in Cooperstown. https://nypost.com/2022/04/02/gil-hodges-getting-honored-with-mets-bobblehead/

stevejrogers Apr 02 2022 01:05 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

The Franchise That Shall Not Be Named is also set to honor Gil. Haven't seen official word that #14 will be officially mothballed yet, and they also have a HOFer commemorative bobble on their SGA slate this year. I really hope the Hall doesn't go the route of no logo on Gil's plaque. He's in as the first baseman for the Boys of Summer era Brooklyn Dodgers. Why WOULDN'T he have a stylized B on his plaque's cap? Mention the Amazin's of 1969 in the plaque text, sure, but from the overall baseball standpoint, he's more known as a Brooklyn Dodger.

Edgy MD Apr 02 2022 01:26 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

That's the virtue of soft retirement. When the time comes around for a hard retirement, there aren't a bunch of Mike Scoscias saying, "Retired for him? What the hell am I?"

G-Fafif May 26 2022 06:01 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

Dodgers get on board, 14wise. https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/dodgers-to-retire-number-14-for-hall-of-famer-gil-hodges

batmagadanleadoff May 26 2022 06:20 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

Dodgers get on board, 14wise. https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/dodgers-to-retire-number-14-for-hall-of-famer-gil-hodges _______________ Hodges now joins the following Dodgers with retired numbers: 1 - Pee Wee Reese 2 - Tommy Lasorda 4 - Duke Snider 19 - Jim Gilliam 20 - Don Sutton 24 - Walter Alston 32 - Sandy Koufax 39 - Roy Campanella 42 - Jackie Robinson 53 - Don Drysdale Nine of those with retired Dodger numbers, including Hodges now (in fact, everybody on that list but Sutton and Drysdale), were all members of the '55 championship Brooklyn Dodgers squad, although Koufax and Lasorda, both rookies in '55, were on the fringes of that team. But still, that's a lot of retired numbers from one season's team.

Edgy MD May 26 2022 09:02 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

Piggie's been something of a voice for Gil Hodges for half a century. It's a shame he won't be around now that such a large amount of folks will be listening. But he lived to hear the HoF news, and that's not nothing.

G-Fafif May 26 2022 09:19 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

I'd like to think word of Gil's election got through to Piggy, but given his dementia, it was no sure thing. Then again, in Joe's mind, I'd bet Gil was a Hall of Famer in every sense. From 2021: THE FIRST TEAM casualty to COVID-19 came in May. Nancy Pignatano was terrified of getting sick. She was living in Florida with her husband Joe, the Amazin' Mets bullpen coach. She was following the precautions. They stayed indoors, had their groceries delivered and limited her outdoor trips to grabbing the paper and the mail. But she caught COVID anyway and died in May at the age of 86. For months, Joe didn't understand that she was gone. He has dementia. His family would tell him that she was out golfing with friends, and he'd smile and be OK. Their younger son, Frank, still lives in Brooklyn. The last words he heard from his mom were over the phone. "Frankie, I love you," she told him. "I can't talk." Frank is the one to pass along the memories now. He was 12 years old that season -- his nickname was "Little Piggy" -- but he speaks as if it was his best year too. The Mets kept a tomato garden in the bullpen during the '69 season. Joe found the wild plant, and instead of ripping it out, he watered and tended to it. "He was a Brooklyn Italian," Frank says. "You give them a patch of dirt and they plant tomatoes." Joe's very best friend, Frank says, was Gil Hodges. They played together for the Brooklyn and L.A. Dodgers and the 1962 expansion Mets, then started coaching together in Washington in 1965. They'd be at the ballpark all day, then meet for cards later with their wives at night, the room a chain-smoking haze of crab claws, mixed nuts and banter. "I tell my kids it was a simpler time," Frank says. "You could have a house and a car in the garage and have kids on one salary. You can't do that today." Hodges was a Marine during World War II, but he always downplayed it. He used to tell his son Gil Jr. that he worked behind a desk. It wasn't until the boy was older that he found out that his father was a gunner in the 16th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, fought in Okinawa and was awarded a Bronze Star. He played with Jackie Robinson in 1947, the year Robinson broke the major league color barrier. Hodges was a straightforward man with little ambiguity, but he was also a dreamer. Just before Game 1, 19-year-old Gil Jr. was sitting in his dad's office, marveling over the Orioles' stat sheet, when he asked him what the Mets were doing on the same field with Baltimore. Hodges got up, closed the door and sat next to him. "Listen, son," he told him, "I have 25 guys out there who think we can win. That's all that matters." The Mets had back-to-back 83-79 seasons after the World Series, and Pignatano kept tending to the tomato plant. They had high hopes heading into '72, a season that was delayed by a players' strike. During spring training -- Easter Sunday -- Hodges and his coaches spent a morning playing 27 holes at a golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. Pignatano was putting his clubs in the trunk, Frank says, when Hodges suffered a heart attack, fell backward and smacked his head on the sidewalk. Pignatano held him as he was dying. Hodges was 47 years old. For years, Pignatano blamed himself. He was right next to him. If he hadn't turned around, he thought, he could've caught him. But Pignatano couldn't have done anything. Hodges' son tried to explain that to him many times. "When you love someone like that ... " Gil Jr. says, "you will always feel like you could've done something. But it was out of his hands." Pignatano has a picture of Hodges in the house, and he'll point to it and always says the same thing. "That's my best friend." https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31317684/friendship-memories-year-1969-new-york-mets

whippoorwill May 27 2022 12:23 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

I never knew that Gil Hodges had a head injury too.

Edgy MD May 27 2022 01:05 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

I whined for years about the Dodgers keeping 14 in circulation, but I have to admit that the restraint they've shown when it comes to number retirement is something I'd like to see more of. Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Orel Hershiser ... even Fernando Valenzuela essentially get told, "Get Cooperstown to stamp your passport, and then come talk to us." Until Clayton Kershaw hangs 'em up, the remaining guy who is most qualified for a Dodger number retirement is probably Zack Wheat, and I'm pretty sure he never wore a number.

nymr83 May 28 2022 03:14 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

If the Dodgers were the Yankees there would be a ton of retired numbers, Mike Piazza chief amongst them.

vtmet7 May 28 2022 03:15 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

=nymr83 post_id=93848 time=1653772460 user_id=54] If the Dodgers were the Yankees there would be a ton of retired numbers, Mike Piazza chief amongst them.

I really don't understand the Yankees retiring Paul O'Neil's number...if I count correctly, the Yankees have retired the numbers of 23 people (22 numbers)...is that really necessary? Phil Rizzuto, Jorge Posada, O'Neil, Pettite, Bernie Williams?

batmagadanleadoff May 28 2022 04:08 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

There are no rules or standards for retiring a baseball uni number. The owner can do whatever he wants to do. When we participate in these debates, framed as should this player or that player's number be retired, there really isnt a right answer. What we're really doing is saying whose number we'd retire if we owned the team and it was up to us. And in that vein, it makes no difference how many or how few numbers some other team retired.

roger_that May 29 2022 06:28 AM Re: Gil Plus 50

It is funny, though, imagining some 22nd century player getting to the Yankees and requesting number after number only to be turned down on each one because it's retired. "Who the fuck was Bernie Williams?" I can picture him asking in frustration.

Willets Point May 29 2022 08:49 AM Re: Gil Plus 50

Eventually the Yankees are going to have to start wearing irrational numbers.

Willets Point May 29 2022 08:53 AM Re: Gil Plus 50

Gil Hodges Bobblehead Day at Citi Field July 24, same day Gil will be enshrined in Cooperstown. https://nypost.com/2022/04/02/gil-hodges-getting-honored-with-mets-bobblehead/ By the way, for some reason this is not listed on the Mets promotional events calendar.

stevejrogers May 29 2022 09:00 AM Re: Gil Plus 50

Dodgers get on board, 14wise. https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/dodgers-to-retire-number-14-for-hall-of-famer-gil-hodges _______________ Hodges now joins the following Dodgers with retired numbers: 1 - Pee Wee Reese 2 - Tommy Lasorda 4 - Duke Snider 19 - Jim Gilliam 20 - Don Sutton 24 - Walter Alston 32 - Sandy Koufax 39 - Roy Campanella 42 - Jackie Robinson 53 - Don Drysdale Nine of those with retired Dodger numbers, including Hodges now (in fact, everybody on that list but Sutton and Drysdale), were all members of the '55 championship Brooklyn Dodgers squad, although Koufax and Lasorda, both rookies in '55, were on the fringes of that team. But still, that's a lot of retired numbers from one season's team. Also shines a light on the tidbit of the 1981 and 1988 World Champions being one of the few teams to date, and through the mid-2000s anyway, to not have a single HOFer on their postseason roster (though technically Sutton did pitch for the Dodgers during the regular season of 1988).

stevejrogers May 29 2022 09:52 AM Re: Gil Plus 50

Edgy MD wrote: even Fernando Valenzuela essentially get told, "Get Cooperstown to stamp your passport, and then come talk to us." Interestingly #34 has been given the unofficial mothballs treatment by the Dodgers since the last time Fernando pitched for them in 1990. Looking through the Dodgers By The Numbers section for some other interesting (YMMV) factoids... Walter Alston #24 and Tommy Lasorda #2, along with Jim Gilliam #19 and Sandy Koufax 32, share distinction of being the last Dodgers to wear their retired numbers. Oddly while Gilliam was an RIP retirement and Lasorda went into the HOF the following year after his last game managed, Alston would have to wait until 1983 for his HOF induction, and passed away in 1984, though his number was retired in the summer of 1977. #32 was kept out of circulation until he, Roy Campanella and Jackie Robinson got their numbers retired en mass following Koufax' election to the HOF. Pee Wee's #1 was decently worn, even during his WWII stint away from the Dodgers it got assigned a couple of times before he returned! Issued 4 times from 1969-1981 The Duke's #4 got issued twice (Tom Hutton 1966, 1969) and Kevin Pasley (1974, 1976-1977) Hodges #14 was hot potatoed between 22 Dodgers. Scioscia easily the most retirement worthy if they went the Yankee route of doing things. Sutton's #20 was issued 9 times since he left, the first time after the 1980 season and again following his brief 1988 stint before retiring, though it was uncirculated just in 1981. It was even issued (to Darren Lewis) a year before it got officially mothballed. Interestingly #31 was not issued from Piazza's trade to the Marlins until after the 2004 season, but since 2005 it has been issued 7 times, most recently to Joc Pederson 2016-2020 Roy Campanella's 39 got issued twice over the years, Ken Rowe in 1963 and Howie Reed from 1964-1966 Jackie Robinson's #42 was worn by a Dodger once between 1957 and whenever MLB decided to let players wear #42 as part of Robinson Day activities, that was by a pitcher named Ray Lamb in 1969, who did it as a salute actually. Tom Paciorek in 1970 was the last Dodger to wear Don Drysdale's #53, which was the year after Drysdale retired. Other seemingly retirement worthy numbers; Orel Hershiser's #55 has been issued 12 times over the years since he first left the Dodgers following the 1994 season Steve Garvey's #6 got the Valenzuela treatment from 1981-2002 but has been issued 14 times since Maury Wills, who joined Garvey, Valenzula and Don Newcombe as "Legends of Dodger Baseball" this spring also had his #30 in unofficial mothballs for a spell, between 1973 and 1979. But since 1980 it has been issued 24 times, and is currently being worn by skipper Dave Roberts since 2016.

Edgy MD May 29 2022 11:08 AM Re: Gil Plus 50

That's some good legwork, Steve J. It seems really awkward to suddenly declare a number officially retired, and forever to be associated with Player X, when it didn't even get the respect of being laid away in the interim between his career and the declaration.

MFS62 May 29 2022 12:15 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

=vtmet7 post_id=93849 time=1653772559 user_id=80] .is that really necessary? Phil Rizzuto, Jorge Posada, O'Neil, Pettite, Bernie Williams?

Well, Rizzuto IS in the Hall of Fame. (whether or not he belongs there is another discussion) The others should have to buy a ticket to get in.

The one on that Brooklyn/ LA list that is a puzzler to me is Junior Gilliam.

I saw him play and don't think he rates it. He was the equivalent of Gil McDougald, but played longer.

Gil was Mr. versatility for the MFYs during many championship seasons, as was Junior.

But Gil, if you're going to immortalize versatile fill-in glove guys, had a higher career dWAR in fewer years and, by the way, OPS+ (by a wide margin).



Later

stevejrogers May 29 2022 01:08 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

=MFS62 post_id=93915 time=1653848149 user_id=60] =vtmet7 post_id=93849 time=1653772559 user_id=80] .is that really necessary? Phil Rizzuto, Jorge Posada, O'Neil, Pettite, Bernie Williams?

Well, Rizzuto IS in the Hall of Fame. (whether or not he belongs there is another discussion) The others should have to buy a ticket to get in.

The one on that Brooklyn/ LA list that is a puzzler to me is Junior Gilliam.

I saw him play and don't think he rates it. He was the equivalent of Gil McDougald, but played longer.

Gil was Mr. versatility for the MFYs during many championship seasons, as was Junior.

But Gil, if you're going to immortalize versatile fill-in glove guys, had a higher career dWAR in fewer years and, by the way, OPS+ (by a wide margin).



Later


It was similar to…maybe not quite us with Hodges, but a memorial tribute to a long serving member of the organization as both a player and coach who passed suddenly while still employed by the team. Probably Elston Howard is a better example, though Howard did have a much better MLB career.

stevejrogers May 29 2022 01:14 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

Edgy MD wrote: That's some good legwork, Steve J. It seems really awkward to suddenly declare a number officially retired, and forever to be associated with Player X, when it didn't even get the respect of being laid away in the interim between his career and the declaration. Piazza being unofficially mothballed is a bit curious. Pretty sure his grudge with the organization started the day he left, so holding it for much of his Met career is interesting. Did they assume there'd be a chance to get him following the 2005 season when his contract finally came up? Wonder if putting it back in circulation added more fuel to Piazza's grudge that still exists to this day. I don't think he's ever stepped foot in Dodger Stadium since he's retired, even when the Dodgers had stadium giveaways in his honor over the years.

stevejrogers May 29 2022 05:32 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

FWIW, the Twins announced in January intentions to retire Jim Kaat's #36 on July 16th, but that was in mid-lockout. Twins still have a home game that day, so I'd imagine it's still set for that day. The rest of Kaat's and Hodges's Hall class of 2022 mates whom are associated with MLB franchises, Tony Olivia, Minnie Minoso and David Ortiz had their numbers retired years ago, in fact Minoso's was done in 1983 and Oliva's in 1991.

Johnny Lunchbucket May 29 2022 07:35 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

=stevejrogers post_id=93927 time=1653867176 user_id=57] FWIW, the Twins announced in January intentions to retire Jim Kaat's #36 on July 16th, but that was in mid-lockout. Twins still have a home game that day, so I'd imagine it's still set for that day. The rest of Kaat's and Hodges's Hall class of 2022 mates whom are associated with MLB franchises, Tony Olivia, Minnie Minoso and David Ortiz had their numbers retired years ago, in fact Minoso's was done in 1983 and Oliva's in 1991.

Hey Rogers, whatever happened to the mofo?

Willets Point May 29 2022 09:59 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

My guess is that most of them are in jail awaiting trial for 1/6/21 crimes.

nymr83 May 29 2022 11:55 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: =stevejrogers post_id=93927 time=1653867176 user_id=57] FWIW, the Twins announced in January intentions to retire Jim Kaat's #36 on July 16th, but that was in mid-lockout. Twins still have a home game that day, so I'd imagine it's still set for that day. The rest of Kaat's and Hodges's Hall class of 2022 mates whom are associated with MLB franchises, Tony Olivia, Minnie Minoso and David Ortiz had their numbers retired years ago, in fact Minoso's was done in 1983 and Oliva's in 1991. Hey Rogers, whatever happened to the mofo?

I thought that board died 20 years ago?

stevejrogers May 31 2022 05:06 AM Re: Gil Plus 50

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: =stevejrogers post_id=93927 time=1653867176 user_id=57] FWIW, the Twins announced in January intentions to retire Jim Kaat's #36 on July 16th, but that was in mid-lockout. Twins still have a home game that day, so I'd imagine it's still set for that day. The rest of Kaat's and Hodges's Hall class of 2022 mates whom are associated with MLB franchises, Tony Olivia, Minnie Minoso and David Ortiz had their numbers retired years ago, in fact Minoso's was done in 1983 and Oliva's in 1991. Hey Rogers, whatever happened to the mofo?

I don't even think Joe even cares at this point!



Probably when spambots greatly outnumber actual posters, it's not worth paying to keep the thing running.



I should lurk on some of the other old school boards like GSS, MetsRefugees, etc to see how they are holding up.

Johnny Lunchbucket May 31 2022 07:34 AM Re: Gil Plus 50

I think it vanished. I think of you Steve J., as the unofficial historian of the Met-a-verse so figured you had the scoop

stevejrogers May 31 2022 08:42 AM Re: Gil Plus 50

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: I think it vanished. I think of you Steve J., as the unofficial historian of the Met-a-verse so figured you had the scoop Once SIMetman stopped hanging around there, it went downhill in terms of spam bot attacks. He usually was the go-to IT guy Joe leaned on. And I guess the lack of traffic and same 4-5 users posting didn't make much sense to upgrade the software. C'est la vie 🤷🏻‍♂️

whippoorwill May 31 2022 09:26 AM Re: Gil Plus 50

Wow I remember the days when to hit "refresh" meant four or five new threads. Ah the good old days.

whippoorwill May 31 2022 09:26 AM Re: Gil Plus 50

Willets Point wrote: My guess is that most of them are in jail awaiting trial for 1/6/21 crimes. lol

Johnny Lunchbucket May 31 2022 09:27 AM Re: Gil Plus 50

SIMetman! Wow there's a blast from the past. I wonder if he ang Gregoty Gwirtz still hang out

Frayed Knot May 31 2022 10:05 AM Re: Gil Plus 50

=stevejrogers post_id=94156 time=1654008154 user_id=57] ... I guess the lack of traffic and same 4-5 users posting didn't make much sense to upgrade the software.

And you didn't invite the remaining refugees here?!?!

Edgy MD May 31 2022 10:55 AM Re: Gil Plus 50

I never felt so proud to be one of the 16-18 remaining regular posters at the Pool.

stevejrogers May 31 2022 11:06 AM Re: Gil Plus 50

Frayed Knot wrote: =stevejrogers post_id=94156 time=1654008154 user_id=57] ... I guess the lack of traffic and same 4-5 users posting didn't make much sense to upgrade the software. And you didn't invite the remaining refugees here?!?!

One did make a Facebook group called Mets Give Me Agita, which isn't quite the mantra around here ;)



The ones I see on Twitter and Facebook most likely have no interest going backwards in terms of social media platforms ;)

Frayed Knot May 31 2022 12:06 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

Wait ... we're backwards here? Why wasn't I informed of this?

Edgy MD May 31 2022 12:12 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

Twitter turns Donald Trump into a president, and we're a step backwards from that.

whippoorwill May 31 2022 03:01 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

Edgy MD wrote: I never felt so proud to be one of the 16-18 remaining regular posters at the Pool. Me too. It's on my resume

Willets Point May 31 2022 03:09 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

Frayed Knot wrote: =stevejrogers post_id=94156 time=1654008154 user_id=57] ... I guess the lack of traffic and same 4-5 users posting didn't make much sense to upgrade the software. And you didn't invite the remaining refugees here?!?!

Do we really need an influx of Q-Anon conspiracy theories and professional wrestling beefs?

Frayed Knot May 31 2022 03:18 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

I was, of course, kidding. I have no idea who the last stragglers even were over there or if they'd be ones to even know/remember about the very existence/history of this place. But if they were, they'd be about as likely to accept an invite as we would be to extend one.

vtmet7 Jun 01 2022 04:07 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: =stevejrogers post_id=93927 time=1653867176 user_id=57] FWIW, the Twins announced in January intentions to retire Jim Kaat's #36 on July 16th, but that was in mid-lockout. Twins still have a home game that day, so I'd imagine it's still set for that day. The rest of Kaat's and Hodges's Hall class of 2022 mates whom are associated with MLB franchises, Tony Olivia, Minnie Minoso and David Ortiz had their numbers retired years ago, in fact Minoso's was done in 1983 and Oliva's in 1991. Hey Rogers, whatever happened to the mofo? I don't even think Joe even cares at this point! Probably when spambots greatly outnumber actual posters, it's not worth paying to keep the thing running. I should lurk on some of the other old school boards like GSS, MetsRefugees, etc to see how they are holding up.

what was the most current name of the MOFO? wasn't it something like nysportsdaily or nysportsday?



also, what is GSS?

stevejrogers Jun 01 2022 09:56 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: Hey Rogers, whatever happened to the mofo? I don't even think Joe even cares at this point! Probably when spambots greatly outnumber actual posters, it's not worth paying to keep the thing running. I should lurk on some of the other old school boards like GSS, MetsRefugees, etc to see how they are holding up. what was the most current name of the MOFO? wasn't it something like nysportsdaily or nysportsday? also, what is GSS? SportsDay. That site is still running GrandSlamSingle

vtmet7 Jun 02 2022 06:34 AM Re: Gil Plus 50

I don't even think Joe even cares at this point! Probably when spambots greatly outnumber actual posters, it's not worth paying to keep the thing running. I should lurk on some of the other old school boards like GSS, MetsRefugees, etc to see how they are holding up. what was the most current name of the MOFO? wasn't it something like nysportsdaily or nysportsday? also, what is GSS? SportsDay. That site is still running GrandSlamSingle forgot about Grand Slam Single, just tried googling "Grand Slam Single forum" and all I got was tennis sites... as far as SportsDay, when I go to NYSportsDay.com, I see stories and betting information but no forum... looks like NYFutureStars still has a forum, haven't posted there in years though

G-Fafif Jun 04 2022 10:48 AM Re: Gil Plus 50

Back to Gil…Vin Scully at 94 contributes to a Times piece on Hodges connecting a pair of franchises. The connective tissues stretch all the way across the country and back again, binding Brooklyn, Los Angeles and Queens. Through the years, through all the true bounces and bad hops and yellowed pages, the contents of this baseball triangle remain snugly bound. Main characters recede and others emerge, and then it repeats all over again. But the strongest and most consistent connection between the Dodgers and the Mets remains Gil Hodges, the late, newly elected Hall of Famer whose No. 14 will be retired by the Dodgers here on Saturday night. The Mets retired the same number for Hodges in 1973. “He was, indeed — I was going to say the thread, but he wasn't the thread, he was the iron steel cable,” Vin Scully, the legendary Dodgers broadcaster, said on Thursday during a rare telephone interview. The Mets franchise and Dodger Stadium both sprang to life in April 1962, and the former is beginning a 10-day western swing this weekend with four games in Chavez Ravine. It is a star-studded matchup of the top two teams in the National League, but the clubs will briefly set the competition aside to honor Hodges, a player who meant so much to both sides. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/04/sports/baseball/gil-hodges-jersey-retired.html

G-Fafif Jun 04 2022 08:24 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

[tweet]https://twitter.com/dodgers/status/1533267539932766209[/tweet]

nymr83 Jun 04 2022 08:42 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: SIMetman! Wow there's a blast from the past. I wonder if he ang Gregoty Gwirtz still hang out I think i know the latter individual and i never posted to mofo, i wonder who the former is in real life?

Johnny Lunchbucket Jun 04 2022 08:47 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

Greg struck me as a totally normal, polite and intelligent poster, it just weirded me out that a guy would use his full name as a sports board handle... sorta like Steve J Rogers! I seem to remember he was buds with SI Metman but I can't be sure. I think they were both from SI

nymr83 Jun 04 2022 09:11 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: Greg struck me as a totally normal, polite and intelligent poster, it just weirded me out that a guy would use his full name as a sports board handle... sorta like Steve J Rogers! I seem to remember he was buds with SI Metman but I can't be sure. I think they were both from SI if its the Greg i'm thinking of then yes, he was from SI

G-Fafif Jun 16 2022 01:11 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

The incomparable Steve Rushin visits with three kids of baseball legends, including Irene Hodges. Irene Hodges was 18 years old when she visited her father at his shop in New York City on a fall day in 1969. A raucous workplace celebration was underway. The firm managed by Irene's dad—the Mets—had just won the World Series. Irene and her 19-year-old brother, Gil Hodges Jr., braved the crossfire of champagne corks to get to their father's office, where the silent phone on Gil Hodges's desk drew the attention of their mother, Joan. “Gil,” Joan told her husband, “you should call your mother.” Gil's mother was at home, watching the celebration on TV in Indiana, where Hodges began his long journey to secular sainthood, first as a Marine in World War II, then as a beloved member of the Brooklyn Dodgers, then as a player for the original Los Angeles Dodgers and the original New York Mets, and finally as manager of those Amazin's. Gil thought for a moment and said: “That's a long-distance call. I think I should make that one at home.” Irene Hodges is now 71 and living again in the house where she grew up, in Flatbush, where she's caring for her 95-year-old mother. It's the same split-level to which Gil Hodges returned in the 1960s after managing the Mets, in the same borough where he played first base at Ebbets Field, 75 feet from Jackie Robinson, once upon a time. “He used to walk to the stores around here,” says Irene. “He was part of the church, part of the community, did the same things anyone else would do. He'd go to the butcher, go to the supermarket. People would shake his hand, put an arm around him and say, ‘Hey, Gil, how are you? Good luck tonight; we're rooting for you.' It was never intrusive, never threatening.” It was a 20-minute drive home from Shea Stadium on that crisp Thursday afternoon 53 years ago, and Irene is now thinking of the lost world it betokened—of long-distance calls, rotary-dial phones, World Series day games and baseball at the center of attention. All of it has long since passed from this world, as has her father, but that day in 1969 keeps his memory alive. “He had just won one of the biggest World Series in New York history,” Irene says of that phone call to her grandmother. “But that didn't change the essence of the man. He was still going to do the right thing.” In his moment of professional triumph, Gil Hodges called his mother from home. Says Irene: “That's the perfect story of who my father was.” https://www.si.com/mlb/2022/06/16/kids-of-summer-daily-cover

batmagadanleadoff Jun 16 2022 01:23 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

=G-Fafif post_id=96159 time=1655406713 user_id=55] It was a 20-minute drive home from Shea Stadium on that crisp Thursday afternoon 53 years ago...

20 minute drive from Shea Stadium to Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn? Either she had a speeding police caravan escort or hardly anybody owned cars in 1969.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 16 2022 01:33 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

Traffic is generally lighter on crisp Thursdays.

Johnny Lunchbucket Jun 16 2022 10:34 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

Great story... to get that is good reportin'

stevejrogers Jul 24 2022 02:16 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

For those scoring at home, and we know you are, a Brooklyn “B” adorns the cap on Gil's plaque. The 1969 Mets do get a mention in the plaque text.

kcmets Jul 24 2022 02:24 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

Somewhere, Ma Carter is smiling.

G-Fafif Jul 24 2022 05:56 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

Irene Hodges gave a wonderful Brooklyn schoolgirl accounting of her father, Hall of Famer Gil Hodges.

Marshmallowmilkshake Jul 25 2022 03:50 PM Re: Gil Plus 50

Finally had a chance to hear Ms. Hodges acceptance speech. She did a wonderful job. Very moving. Was nice to hear that players from the 1969 team and Sarah Seaver were there.