Gil Hodges: The Mets Knew What They Were Doing on Friday the 13th

It started in 1967, although the consequences wouldn't be seen immediately. The Washington Senators, an expansion team created in 1961 to replace the team that moved to Minnesota, won 76 games.

Gil Hodges had taken over the managerial reins in late May of 1963. The Senators finished the previous season in last place. They finished Hodges' first season as their manager once again in last place, winning 56 games.

The next three seasons, they won 62, 70 and 71 games respectively under Hodges. A few people were taking notice. Then they won 76 in 1967.

Hodges, who starred for the great Brooklyn Dodgers teams of the 1950s, was a baseball man. He knew the game inside out, but of greater importance, he knew how to treat people. He was an excellent communicator, he remained calm when situations called for coolness, but was as tough as anyone that ever played the game.

Hodges was a member of the ROTC at St. Joseph's College of Indiana. He soon was serving his country in the defense of the freedoms that still must be defended today. Hodges was in battle zones at Tinian and Okinawa. There are rumors that he killed more than one Japanese soldier with his bare hands.

While managing the Senators, there was an incident that characterized Gil Hodges' toughness and sensitivity.

Ryne Duren was a hard-throwing pitcher that helped the New York Yankees win the 1958 World Series. In August 1965, a washed-up Duren, whose career had been marred by alcohol problems, was a member of the Senators.

A hungover Duren had just been blasted by the Yankees. He decided to forget his troubles by having a few more drinks after the game.

Duren left the ballpark, got into his car and headed for home. On the way, as he drove on the bridge that was part of the triple, he stopped his car and climbed the bridge. He started shouting and jumping around.

The police, who knew Duren, were at a loss until they called Hodges, who talked him down.

During the winter of 1967, there were rumors that the New York Mets, an expansion team that, since its inception in 1962, had lost at least 100 games in five of its first six seasons, including an incredible 120 games their first season, were interested in having Hodges as their manager.

I have been a Yankees fan since 1951. By 1967, the haughty Yankees were competing with the Mets to see which team could lose more games. That year, the Yankees lost 90 games while the Mets lost 101.

When I heard that Hodges was going to manage the Mets in 1968, I was concerned that it wouldn't be long before they improved. Maybe they wouldn't become pennant contenders, but considering how CBS was running the Yankees, the Mets would certainly become the dominant New York team.

On Friday the 13th in 1967, Gil Hodges became the Mets manager . He was taking over a last-place team once again.

This time, he wouldn't help create an improvement. This time, he would help create a miracle.