[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4665]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         TRIBUTE TO GIL HODGES

 Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Gil Hodges 
on his 25 year career in Major League Baseball. Gil Hodges served 18 
years as a major league player and 7 years as a manager, during which 
he distinguished himself through exceptional performance, success, 
professionalism and personal achievement.
  At the conclusion of his playing career in 1962, Gil Hodges was the 
leading right handed home run hitter in National League history; 
hitting 20 or more home runs in 11 seasons, surpassing the 30 home run 
mark four times and the 40 mark twice. For the 11-year period between 
1949 and 1959, he averaged more than 30 home runs and 100 RBIs per 
season. Those are some impressive statistics. A vital part of both the 
Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Mets franchises, Gil appeared in 8 World 
Series, winning 1 as a player and 1 as a manager. During his tenure, 
Gil Hodges led the 1969 Miracle Mets to one of the most memorable and 
remarkable World Championships in the history of baseball, bringing 
pride to Mets fans all across the city.
  Beyond being a great major leaguer, Gil Hodges was a great 
humanitarian. He played a major role in the success and acceptance of 
his teammate, Jackie Robinson. Jackie's eventual success was 
facilitated by the leadership and courage of Gil Hodges. A life long 
New Yorker, his memory lives on in the minds of the many Dodgers and 
Mets fans that got to witness his greatness. His number 14 has been 
retired by the Mets assuring that his legacy will be preserved for 
generations. In closing, I would like to say that Gil Hodges was a 
great baseball player, a great manager, and more importantly a great 
man. He was a hero to many and I am taking this time to pay tribute to 
his legacy. Thank you, Gil.

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