Remembering Gil Hodges

When my team (NYM) fades in the standings, I usually go running for the shelter of the Past to feed my baseball fix.  Yesterday I was in the neighborhood of Ebbets Field (I usually always speak of her in the present *sigh*).  I also visited Holy Cross Cemetery later that afternoon.  Gil Hodges and Edward McKeever rest there.

Back in the early and mid-70's I lived on a block (a dead-end block as we call it ~ GREAT For StickBall!!  I digress) that bordered the cemetery; East 45 Street.  I don't remember, but my neighbors in the years since 1972 told me of the incredible sight which was the procession bringing Gil to Holy Cross.  It passed our block.  I was 5 yrs old when he left us.

Growing up in Brooklyn, I played games at Gil Hodges Little League Field on Shell Road.  I used to hang out as a teenager and actually bowled (just because it was close to the house I suppose) in Gil Hodges Lanes, when it was still located on Ralph Avenue.  Upon entering the Bowling Alley and immediately on the left was a display case with some memorabilia including one of Gil's GOLD GLOVE awards.  Gil Hodges Lanes is in a different part of the neighborhood now, over on Mill Lane.  I plan on checking to see if they brought the display case over to the new place.  When I speak the old lanes of Ralph Ave, I'm speaking 25+ years ago.  So I'm going to look into that.

I used to and still go to Jacob Riis Park/beach in the Rockaways.  It's just on the other side of the Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge.  That bridge connects Brooklyn with the Rockaways/Queens.

Gil Hodges still remains a real part of our lives in Brooklyn.  OldBrooklynFan ~ Don't you agree?

A drive down Bedford Avenue towards SheepsHead Bay to get some clams or fried Calamari? -  Are you kiddin me?  Fugheddaboudit!  Every time I drive on Bedford Avenue my mind wanders to another time and place; back to Bedford and Sullivan.  The grip is strong on this Grasshopper. 

Bedford Avenue is named Gil Hodges Way.

Joan Hodges, his beloved wife, still manages to attend a Brooklyn Cyclones (NYM-class A) in Coney Island every once in a while.  Gil Hodges' number 14 is also proudly retired and displayed over the lux boxes at MCU Park along with a few other fellow Bums.

Yeah...he managed my Miracle Mets to a championship, and of course that just adds to his Legend around here.

It's easy to tell Gil Hodges still continues to enrich our lives on a daily basis throughout Brooklyn.

As a 5 year old and a 6,7,8 and 9 year old I couldn't have been any closer to him, or him to me, literally.  He remained a part of my life as I previously explained.   And I feel every drive down Bedford Ave is an opportunity for me to express my unyielding and never ending respect for the person they called,

The Quiet Man.

I've been feeling a little 55 Since 55 ' ish lately.

This is also another opportunity to thank Emma over at:

http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/

for sending me the patch.

The Cyclones remember Gil.

*wiki pic ~ Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge

One of my most prized posessions.

*****************************************************

Here Rests Edward J. McKeever;

Dodgers Baseball Club of Brooklyn

Born 1859; Brooklyn ~ Passed 1925; Brooklyn

For OldBrooklynFan, Emma

and Everyone blogging over on

"Inside the Dodgers"

...for your eyes only (kinda).

Mike.BTB