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:
for sending me the patch.
The Cyclones remember Gil.
*wiki pic ~ Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge
One of my most prized posessions.
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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
