On a team known for its fiery and flashy personalities, first baseman Gil Hodges stood out for his quiet show of strength. Throughout the 1950’s, Hodges held down the initial sack for the Dodgers and acted as the team’s voice of reason, keeping his teammate cool and collected during a decade’s worth of hotly contested pennant races.

     Hodges wielded this Hillerich & Bradsby bat during the Dodgers’ last year in Brooklyn and the first two in Los Angeles. During that time Hodges averaged 25 home runs each year and was a key contributor to the Dodgers’ first World Championship on the west coast. These were Gil’s last great seasons as a regular before concentrating on managing, a position he proved to be well suited for when he led the New York Mets to the World Championship in 1969. Looking over his stats and knowing the silent leadership he brought to those Brooklyn teams during the 1950’s, it’s a wonder why he does not have a plaque in Cooperstown.

     Gil’s 1959-60 era Hillerich & Bradsby H178 model bat shows outstanding use with a professionally repaired handle crack. Many ball marks with stitch impressions can be seen on the barrel along with blue bat rack paint streaks. Scuffmarks from contact with the ground and countless cleat imprints add character to this tremendous bat. The handle retains a light coat of pine tar and the model number “H178” has been stamped into the handle. “HODGES” is stamped into the barrel in block letters and Gil’s famed number “14” in faded black marker tops off this museum-ready gamer. This bat comes with a full LOA from PSA/DNA (B45337).

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