Dodgers: Gil Hodges and Maury Wills Included on Golden Days Hall Of Fame Ballot
Three former Dodgers are on the Golden Days Era ballot for a chance to make the Baseball Hall of Fame. Dick Allen, Maury Wills, and Gil Hodges are part of the 10-man ballot that will be voted on by the Golden Days Committee. Results will be announced December 5th.
The Golden Days Era is defined as players whose “primary contributions” came between 1950-1969. In order to make the Hall of Fame, at least 12 of the 16 committee members must vote for a candidate.
Dick Allen
Granted, Allen was only a Dodger for one year (1971), but it was a good year. Allen led the 1971 Dodgers in: home runs, walks, RBI, OPS, and WAR.
The 1964 Rookie of the Year was traded by the Dodgers to the White Sox that offseason in exchange for a pitcher named Tommy John and shortstop Steve Huntz. Allen won the AL MVP the very next year (1972). On top of his MVP and ROY awards, Allen was a seven time All-Star in his 15 year career.
Maury Wills
A true Dodgers legend, Wills is most famous for his prolific base stealing. He led the majors in stolen bases three times and led the National League for six consecutive seasons.
His 104 stolen base campaign, combined with Gold Glove defense and .299 average, earned him the 1962 NL MVP award. He beat out the likes of Willie Mays, Frank Robinson, Henry Aaron, and teammates Tommy Davis, Don Drysdale, and Frank Howard. Wills finished in the top ten for MVP voting two more times (1965 and 1971).
As a Dodger, Wills was a three-time World Series champion. Wills was a key cog for the Dodgers and started all 21 games across four World Series. 12 of his 15 major league years were spent with Los Angeles. Willis was a seven time All-Star, two time Gold Glover, and still is, an absolute Dodgers legend.
Gil Hodges
Hodges was big part of the epic Boys of Summer Dodgers era. The first baseman and briefly outfielder held his own alongside Duke Snider, Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Jim Gilliam and Carl Furillo. From 1948-1959, Hodges slashed .279/.364/.862 and clubbed 344 home runs.
The three time Gold Glover earned MVP votes in nine of his 16 seasons with the Dodgers. Hodges recorded seven consecutive seasons with 100 or more RBI. He won two championships with the Dodgers including the triumphant 1955 conquest of the hated New York Yankees.
Hodges won a third championship as the manager of the 1969 Miracle Mets.
A number retirement ceremony will be in order if either Hodges or Wills make the Hall-of-Fame.
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Never been able to understand how the Dodgers have not already retired Hodges Number. His number is retired by the Mets.
Hodges should have been in long before he died. Wills is a closer case, but still dominated during his time, which meets my criteria. Allen is borderline but the fact that writers thought he was “difficult” (like Frank Robinson) cost him. Unfortunately – to answer Harry’s question – your number does not get retired on the Dodgers unless you make the HOF with the exception of Jim Gilliam. I think the Dodgers need to let go of that. Wills, Garvey, Valenzuela, and Hershiser need to have their numbers retired by the team.
Ring of Honor.
Not Hall of Fame but next lower tier.
A great question that deserves an answer! Hodges was one of my heroes along with Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snyder, Carl Furillo, Jackie Robinson, and Roy Campenella.
I was pretty young when Robinson played and don’t remember much about him, but the others clearly. Remember the others well and nice to respond and have a response from a fan who remembers Brooklyn. On a much sadder note I remember reading an article from either Life or Look magazine, not too sure which one, about Camp’s accident. Full page picture of his car after, even as a young kid it was like a bad dream. Back in the day listening to games on a transistor radio, they guys were heroes to me as well. I have a print on my bedroom wall of Ebbetts Field with the images of the Duke, Hodges, Campy, Erskine, Pee Wee, and of course Jackie. Thanks for stirring up memories.
That has always bothered me, too. Hopefully the voters will finally get it right.
You refer to Hodges as a first baseman and OUTFIEDER! He played 4 percent of his games in the outfield, 3 percent behind the plate and 93 percent at first base. Jeez, who writes this crap?
OUTFIELDER*, Dave. There’s an L in there. Cheers!
Yep– really have kind of wondered why Gil has never been enshrined in the HOF. Lesser players are in. He does have a lower WAR figure than many HOF members; but his body of work for his career, his 9 year stretch from ’49 to ’57 plus his 7 year 100 RBI stretch should raise a few eyebrows. Throw in 8 All Star selections and 3 Gold Gloves; and I would think he should be over the top.
What about Willie Davis? I’m a little surprised he doesn’t come up in this conversation.
I’m not. I liked him, he had a good long career with good lifetime totals because of it, but he was never even a star. Competent, good, but not a star, let alone a HOF’er.
What a shame that Gil Hodges and Maury Wills are not in the Hall of Fame and that the Dodgers have not retired their uniform numbers !
I wholeheartedly agree. Today’s sportswriters need a history lesson and it’s a shame both Wills and Hodges not enshrined years ago.
Sherry Fisher 11/08/2021 at 6:51 AM
I remember begging my mother to let me stay home from school to watch the Dodger-Giant games so I could watch Maury steal bases…he was magic.
Hodges was before my time but I remember Wills. Wills was a star, he was a game changer. His career numbers weren’t all that good but he was in the minors 9 years. He was an impact player. Does he deserve HOF? Maybe. IMO I think he’s borderline but certainly wouldn’t be out of place if he was in.
Hodges probably should be in. Overshadowed a bit by Snider, Mays and Mantle all in the same town, but he was an all star every year, and productive, but with a shortish career, as was more common then. But how can you not take into account leading the Miracle Mets to the WS title in ’69 as the manager.