Would The New York Mets Have Retired Gil Hodges #14 Anyway?

As we were sitting up in the Promenade the other night we started talking about the Mets retired numbers..and started discussing #14.

I’m a little young to “get” Gil Hodges.  I understand that 1969 is a big deal.  I understand how shocking it must have been when he died.

I started to wonder if the Mets would have retired #14 anyway.

On September 27th 1969 the Mets ripped up Gil’s contract and signed him through 1972.

In 1970 the World Champions finished 3rd at 83-79, and the same record in 1971.

The Faith & Fear blog was around for ’70 and they wrote this.

We didn’t win, it is well known. Pittsburgh did. They passed us in September. Then the Cubs passed us for second and we finished third with a record of 83-79 — not bad, not great. I think finishing behind the Cubs bothered me more than not winning another championship. The Pirates were classy even if I didn’t use that word then. The Cubs were the Cubs. I never forgave them for getting in our way in 1969. That we stepped over them didn’t matter. I hated the Cubs. They were the first team I ever hated and I kept it up a year later. 

I know nothing about the 1970 and 1971 teams.   With my modern and perhaps clueless eyes, I know that when you blow September leads that ownership gets itchy.

1972 with Yogi at the helm:  83 and 73. (short season because of strike).  13.5 out.  So let’s say Gil is 10 games better than Yogi….93 wins and a likely second place finish to the Pirates (my brain will explode if we wonder if those 10 wins come against the Pirates).   That contract is now expired.   Do they bring him back, or is he  an early “Davey Johnson” who is believed to have an under-performing team?

1973.   Nobody believes.   Gil, with a new deal and again being 10 games better than Yogi is two games under .500 on the 16th of August….

I wonder if ownership would have gotten itchy trigger fingers?   I looked into the demise of Yogi, also before my time.

I found this article which mentions that one of the reasons Berra was fired was over “waves in the Mets performance.”  Although 1974 was an awful year for the Mets, Berra was fired three games over .500 with the 4th best record in the NL.   M. Donald Grant said “we’ve had a peculiar season, like a yo-yo.”   That suggests some frustration in the front office.

This is one of those “who knows” topics – but they never retired #5.   Maybe Gil would have run off the 1972-1975 championships?   Maybe Dan Murphy would be wearing #14 now.   I’d be curious to know what  perspective some of our older Mets fans may have.  No disrespect to Mr. Hodges in intended.  I just wonder about retired numbers some time.

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One Reply to “Would The New York Mets Have Retired Gil Hodges #14 Anyway?”

  1. You have to understand where the Mets were when Gil arrived and where he got them in 1969. It's taken for granted today but the Mets had absolutley no chance in anyones eyes to compete let alone win the World Series in 1969. Ask any player who played for him and watch the gleam in their eye and the respect they have for the man. Every player on the 1969 team will credit Hodges with them winning. Remember in these media drenched times any team who achieves success is still compared with the 1969 Mets.

    Gil is a man who started 5 man pitching rotations, had the first piching coach who was a former catcher, and used a platoon system no matter what or who you were. Most of all he demanded you give 100% and play like a professional. He would not allow any of the errors or base running mistakes the players of today make. No matter how much money they make.

    In 1969 Gil walked out to left field & pulled Cleon Jones out of a game because he didn't hustle after a ball in the rain. The Mets were getting killed in the game and had already lost the 1st game of the double header.Jones was leading the NL htting at the time.

    With Gil at the helm they would have won the 1973 World Series & if he pushed the issue the front office may have aquired another bat & had more success.

    centerfield maz.com

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