Gil Hodges - by Tom Clavin & Danny Peary (Paperback)

About the Book

"The son of an Indiana coal miner, Gil grew up playing baseball to forget the woes of the Great Depression. With the important lessons he learned in those years--to always be honest and never to resort to self-pity--he turned his love for baseball into an unforgettable career as the Brooklyn Dodgers first baseman who helped lead the team to six National League pennants, and later as the manager who turned the league underdogs into world champions--the 1969 Miracle Mets. Acclaimed authors Tom Clavin and Danny Peary tell Gil Hodges's incredible life story as never before, vividly tracing his baseball career with rare insight from family and friends, and also delving into his unsung tour of duty as a U.S. Marine. Never one to boast, he spoke little about his brave service in World War II, even with those close to him later in life. Along with Lou Gehrig and Jackie Robinson, Gil Hodges is one of baseball's great role models. As a player who revolutionized the first-base position and drove in 1,274 runs, he may also be the greatest player not inducted into the Hall of Fame"--

Book Synopsis

A legend during the Golden Era of the 1950s, Brooklyn Dodgers baseball player and New York Mets manager Gil Hodges is at the center of this masterful sports biography, which delves into the life, achievements, and sterling character of one of baseball's most overlooked stars.

Gil Hodges was the Brooklyn Dodgers' powerful first baseman who, alongside Jackie Robinson, helped drive his team to six pennants and a thrilling World Series victory in 1955.

Dutifully following the Dodgers to Los Angeles in 1958, Hodges longed to return to New York City, and in 1962, joined the original Mets. He took over the manager's spot on their bench in 1968 and transformed the team from a joke to World Champions in 1969--thus creating the Miracle Mets. Yet behind his stoic demeanor lay a man prone to anxiety and scarred by combat during World War II. His sudden death in 1972 shocked his friends and family and left a void in the hearts of baseball fans everywhere.

Acclaimed authors Tom Clavin and Danny Peary deliver a thoroughly researched and poignant view of one of baseball's hidden treasures, shedding light on a fascinating life and career that even his most ardent fans never knew.

Review Quotes

Praise for Gil Hodges

"It's a perfect fit--a classy book about a classy man."--Tim McCarver

"Memories are kept alive and new ones made in Clavin and Peary's splendid, moving tribute to Hodges...All baseball fans will appreciate this fascinating journey into history."--Larry King

About the Author

Tom Clavin and Danny Peary are the national bestselling coauthors of Roger Maris: Baseball's Reluctant Hero. Tom has also written or co-written ten other books, as well as being a former reporter for the New York Times. He lives in East Hampton, New York. Danny is a writer/researcher for "The Tim McCarver Show," and an author of numerous books and articles. He lives in New York City.