On March 4, 1984, Harold Pee Wee Reese was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee. The 10-time All-Star shortstop never received more than 47.9% of the normal vote, but the committee felt he was more than deserving of baseball’s most cherished honor.
Reese broke in with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1940, and by the next year became the club’s everyday shortstop while helping them secure their first National League pennant in 21 years.
Reese went on to play 16 seasons, all with the Dodgers. From 1947 to 1956, he played in no fewer than 140 games and was one of the pillars of the franchise. Reese wasn’t an MVP-level player, but he was what embodied that caliber teammate and role model.
Reese enlisted in the Navy following the 1942 season, and then returned to the team in 1946. He was part of seven pennants and one World Series title in his career, but as impactful as Reese was while in a Dodgers uniform, his actions and relationships with his teammates, namely Jackie Robinson, are what made him so special.
During his career he hit .269/.366/.377 with 330 doubles, 80 triples, 126 home runs, 885 RBI and 232 stolen bases in 9,470 plate appearances (2,166 games).
Reese was a 10-time National League All-Star and received MVP votes in 13 different seasons. His 2,014 games at shortstop are the most in Dodgers history, and he additionally holds other franchise records in runs (1,338) and walks (1,210).
Dodgers legend Gil Hodges elected to HOF
Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers legend Gil Hodges was among the former players elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Golden Days Era Committee for the 2022 class.
Hodges spent all but two of his 18 seasons with the Dodgers franchise, batting .274/.360/.488 with 1,884 hits, 361 home runs, 1,254 RBI and 1,088 runs scored. He earned eight All-Star selections, three Gold Glove Awards and helped the organization win two World Series championships (1955, 1959).
“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.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
