Opening Day Auction Closing May 9th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/10/2015
While Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider and Roy Campanella took all the headlines in Brooklyn, it was the team's first baseman Gil Hodges who was called "The heart and soul of the team". In a career that went from Brooklyn to LA and back to New York, Hodges banged out 370 home runs, was awarded 3 Gold Gloves Award for his fielding and the fans voted him an All-Star 8 times. When his career ended his natural leadership abilities made him the perfect man to take the New York Mets from the National League cellar all the way to an improbable World Championship. Though Hodges was unanimously respected by his peers, his quiet and gentle nature worked against him whenever his name was put on a Hall of Fame ballot. Gil has signed this baseball in strong black ballpoint, grading out at a resilient 10/10. The ball is an "Official League" ball made in Haiti and remains in a creamy white condition letting Hodges perfect signature pop off the horsehide. Gil's untimely death in 1972 makes any single-signed ball scarce, but this one is exceptional for its exemplary appearance. Letter of Authenticity from JSA.