Gil Hodges Jr. On WFAN: Support Overkill Hurt Dad's Chances At Hall
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Gil Hodges Jr. says his family is dealing with "another major disappointment" after his famous father was once again denied entry to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Gil Hodges, an eight-time All-Star who won two World Series titles as a player with the Dodgers and one managing the 1969 Miracle Mets, fell far short of the 12 votes needed for election by the Golden Era committee on Monday. All 10 candidates whose contributions were primarily from 1947-72 were shut out.
Hodges Jr. believes the support for his dad's candidacy got "to a point of overkill," taking the focus away from his stats and hurting his chances at Cooperstown.
"Unfortunately, I think too many people got behind it," Hodges Jr. told WFAN's Sweeny Murti on Monday. "Too many fans, there were so many petitions, there was a Facebook petition of over 3,000 signees across the country -- a lot of notable people, columnists: George Vecsey and Dave Anderson and Tom Verducci and Peter Gammons. I mean, numerous people signed the petition. And I think, unfortunately, that downplays his raw credentials and just brings into the aspect of a fan-base scenario, and I don't think that's taken well."
"I've always tried to stay away from that," he added. "I know that's something that he would never have wanted. I don't sign (the petitions). I don't join them, as much as I would love to -- and don't get me wrong -- because statistically, I think, regardless of being my dad that he belongs in there."
Gil Hodges Jr.
Hodges Sr. retired after the 1963 season as one of the game's top sluggers with 370 career home runs. He had 100 RBIs or more in seven straight seasons from 1949-55 and was also regarded as one of the game's best fielders.
And then there was his run as manager of the Mets, who went from expansion laughingstocks to World Champs in his second year at the helm.
"You can't compare them to people that are playing today," Hodges Jr. said of the Golden Era candidates. "It's not fair. It's apples to oranges."
Hodges Sr. died during spring training in 1972. He was 47.
"I try to impress to my mom that he's treated like he's in the Hall of Fame," Hodges Jr. said. "And that's what she's gotta remember."
Hodges Sr. is a member of the Mets Hall of Fame. His No. 14 was retired by the franchise in 1973.
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