The Los Angeles Dodgers added another Hall of Famer to their history with the election of longtime Brooklyn and L.A. first baseman Gil Hodges, who was voted in as part of the Golden Days Era Committee.
Hodges being selected for the Hall of Fame brought joy to legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully and former first baseman Steve Garvey.
Although the careers of Hodges and Garvey didn’t overlap, Garvey served as Brooklyn’s batboy when he was a child while Hodges was on the team. Hodges also became a mentor for Garvey after he was drafted by the Dodgers in the 1966 MLB Draft.
Now that Hodges is in the Hall of Fame, Garvey is hoping he can one day join his role model in Cooperstown, via Bill Ladson of MLB.com:
“It would be the ultimate honor for me, with Gil being my idol. You never know,” Garvey said.
Garvey was featured on the traditional Baseball Writers’ Hall of Fame ballot for 15 years, receiving a personal-best 42.6% of the vote in 1995. Players are only permitted induction should they reach the required 75%.
He was eventually removed from the ballot, but those in his position are granted a second chance of getting into the Baseball Hall of Fame via the Modern Era ballot.
Garvey was included on the 2017 and 2019 Modern Era Ballot but fell short of receiving the required voted for election.
The first baseman played 14 of his 19 Major League seasons with the Dodgers. He ranks among the all-time L.A. franchise leaders in hits (1,968; second), doubles (333; first), home runs (211; third), RBI (992; first) and games played (1,727; third).
Garvey was named MVP of the 1978 NL Championship Series and received recognition for his work in the community as the 1981 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award. He additionally holds the NL record with 1,207 consecutive games played.
Dodgers will honor Hodges during 2022 season
With the induction of Hodges into the Hall of Fame,the Dodgers will honor him during the 2022 season, which could include retiring his No. 14.
The team has an unofficial policy of only doing so for players in the Hall of Fame, though Jim Gilliam was an exception after his sudden death in 1978.
“When you mention all-time greats in Dodger history, Gil Hodges is among the finest to ever don Dodger Blue,” president and CEO Stan Kasten said in a statement. “We are thrilled that he will finally take his place in Cooperstown alongside the games greats and look forward to honoring him next year.”
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