As long as I live, when I hear “manager of the New York Mets,” this 1970 Topps card is the image that will stick with me. Gil Hodges is to Mets managers what sky is to earth: he’s what’s up there above everybody else as high as you can see. I loved Davey Johnson, I loved Bobby Valentine, but I revere Gil Hodges.
• Seven consecutive 100+ RBI seasons
• One of the top sluggers of all-time at the time of his retirement
• One of the best fielding first basemen ever
• Key on- and off-field role on one of the great dynasties in National League history
• Universal admiration and esteem while he played and while he managed
• An outstanding leader of a previously pathetic expansion team…in the American League with the mid-’60s Washington Senators.
• And that whole Miracle Mets thing, not incidentally.
I understand there’s an organization of some sort that aspires to be known as a Hall of Fame, that it attempts to bestow baseball immortality on its members. They have long been incomplete in their mission.
And now they’re just insulting.
The great Gil Hodges will never be forgotten. I still remember pulling this card many times out of 1970 packs of Topps cards..
In fact I pulled his 69' in a pack which contained a Mantle- but didn't give a damn about the Mick! Funny how some things just stick in your head.
Rich