Gil Hodges' Rejection Proves That the Hall of Fame's Integrity Clause Is a Sham

"Voting shall be based upon the player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character and contribution to the team(s) on which the player played."

Many “experts” want to eliminate the Hall of Fame’s integrity clause because so many players eligible for inclusion in the Hall of Fame meet all the criteria but lack integrity.

The only conclusion one can reach is that Hall of Fame voters place great weight on a player’s integrity and character. They are important enough to keep Pete Rose, Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro out of the Hall.

Since integrity and character override the significance of achieving more hits than anybody that ever played the game as well as hitting 70 home runs in a single season, they are critical enough to get Gil Hodges into the Hall of Fame.

Gil Hodges was the dominant first baseman of his era. If he wasn't the greatest right-handed defensive first baseman of all time, he was certainly the greatest fielding first baseman of his era.

Another first baseman who also played the outfield and who received his nickname from Brooklyn Dodgers’ fans, wanted everyone to know about Gil Hodges’ defensive skills.

Stan Musial referred to Hodges as "perhaps the best right-handed-fielding first baseman of his time."

Hodges was an outstanding offensive player. From 1950-54, he never hit less than 31 home runs in a season, with a career-high of 42 in 1954. He averaged 29 home runs and 100 RBI over a 162-game season.

The younger members of the Baseball Writer’s Association of America never met Gil Hodges, but that’s not true of the 2011 Golden Era Veterans Committee that rejected Hodges. 

Hank Aaron, Al Kaline, Ralph Kiner, Tommy Lasorda (a former teammate of Hodges), Juan Marichal, Brooks Robinson and Billy Williams are the Hall of Famers on the Golden Era Veterans Committee. All knew Hodges as either a player or manager.

Gil Hodges was an unassuming, modest man who had as much integrity and character as any individual that ever played baseball. He represented everything that is good about baseball.

PeeWee Reese, the great Brooklyn Dodgers’ shortstop from Kentucky who embraced Jackie Robinson, knew the greatness of Gil Hodges.

"If you had a son, it would be a great thing to have him grow up to be just like Gil Hodges."

The Hall of Fame must take into account players who have not only great skills as players or managers, but also those who represent human dignity. 

Gil Hodges, almost one-half century after he retired as a player, is remembered, loved and respected by so many fans who still champion his election to the Hall of Fame.