Former Los Angeles Dodgers great Gil Hodges is regularly mentioned as one of the best players not in the MLB Hall of Fame. Does he deserve to be inducted?
During the 1950s, Gil Hodges developed into one of the great stars for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was beloved during their time in Brooklyn, a former catcher that was moved from behind the plate due to the signing of Roy Campanella. That signing pushed Hodges to first base, where he would become a star.
Playing at the offensive haven known as Ebbetts Field, Hodges became a star. He was an eight time All Star, finishing in the top ten of the MVP vote three times. He also took to first well, a three time Gold Glove winner who led the league in putouts and assists three times each. Hodges had eleven consecutive seasons of 20 or more homers, with a career high of 42 homers in 1954. Over the course of his 18 year career, Hodges produced a solid .273/.359/.487 batting line, hitting 370 homers and driving in 1274 runs.
He achieved greater fame after his career as a manager. Initially traded to the Senators in 1963 to manage the team, he was brought back to the New York Mets in another trade following the 1967 season. Hodges led the Miracle Mets to the 1969 World Series, and held the position until his untimely passing in 1972 due to a heart attack.
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After his playing career, and particularly after his passing, Hodges had strong support for the Hall of Fame. He came close to being enshrined, reaching 63.4% of the vote in 1983, his final year on the ballot. Despite that support, and his inclusion on the Veteran’s Committee ballots, Hodges is still on the outside of the Hall, the player to receive the highest vote total and not eventually be inducted.
He is also generally considered to be one of the best players to be on the outside of the Hall of Fame. His resume certainly would seem worthy of induction, and yet, Hodges still cannot find his way to immortality. He has been passed by over and over again, with forgotten players from the 1800s and other similar players being enshrined.
Yet, this may not be the travesty it is made out to be. Hodges was a solid player, but was more in that Don Mattingly/Joe Torre Hall of Very Good as a player. Based on his Hall of Fame Monitor and Hall of Fame standard scores, Hodges falls short. His 44.8 bWAR is 39th all time, trailing players such as Keith Hernandez, Mark Grace, and Jason Giambi. No one is clamoring for that trio to be enshrined.
Hodges’ success as a manager, particularly in New York, is a part of his consideration as well. Sadly, his early passing cut short what could have been a promising managerial career, especially given the talent that the Mets possessed in those days. Yet, the Hall of Fame is not a place for what if – it is a place players and managers are judged by what they accomplished on the diamond, and on the bench.
Based on that standard, former Los Angeles Dodgers star Gil Hodges falls just short of the Hall of Fame. He may eventually get in, but the numbers say he is a better fit in the Hall of Very Good.