Without a Doubt the BEST Sports Collectible Acquisition I Got at National 2013 - And it was Given to
70ToppsFanatic
Posts: 2,106 ✭✭✭✭
I've seen some incredible items many of you have posted that were acquired at the recently completed show. I also got a few gems,
but somehow even they don't hold a candle to this item (at least for me they don't).
As many of you know, my father was the team doctor for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the late 50s. As a result, my childhood was spent
around many of the Dodger greats of that era, and also as a regular at Shea Stadium (with those kinds of ties to the Dodgers my father
would have disowned me if I had tried to be a Yankee fan).
For me, being a regular at Shea was a lot more than being a ticket-holding attendee. Because of dad's ties I was actually behind-the-scenes
(i.e. pre-game practices, locker room, etc.). It was a pretty cool time to be a Mets fam in the late 60s and early 70s, especially for a kid between
the ages of 6-11 in those years.
Anyway, while many of the players were my heros there was one man with the Mets organization who was extremely special to me. In those days,
he was the Mets Manager Gil Hodges. Gil was one of the kindest and nicest people I ever had the pleasure of knowing. He was a friend of dad's,
so when I was around him I was his friend too. In many ways, it almost seemed like he was my 3rd grandfather. He used to get people to throw
"batting practice" to me or occasionally let me be part of the infield drills or shag fly balls. I still have my Mets "pitching" warm-up jacket from those
days. He was just such a special person. As best I know this is how he was with just about everyone I ever saw him with. A gentleman and a
role model.
During National this year my son struck up a conversation with the guy who was exhibiting next to us. He was a memorabillia dealer from NJ.
And my son knows me well. His eye came upon a small, mostly insignificant and inexpensive item that was sitting on this dealer's table (which I had
not noticed). He asked the dealer about it, and when he confirmed the significance of it he purchased it from his own pocket for me on the spot.
A few hours later here is what my son surprised me with:
I know it's not vintage unopened, or low-pop PSA 9 1970 Topps BB cards that I need, or some whale of a card that I have dreamed of owning. In fact,
I am not much of a memorabillia collector (other than the things I have left from dada's days with the Dodgers). However, this plate set of Gil Hodges
is now the pride and joy of my sports collecting. It reminds me of simpler days and the life lessons I learned from a man who truly belongs in both the
Baseball HoF and the HoF of Humanity.
Trivia Question: Gil Hodges was the second leading HR hitter in the 1950s with 310 dingers (and he is STILL not in the HoF). Who was the only person
to top him in that decade and how many HRs did that man hit?
but somehow even they don't hold a candle to this item (at least for me they don't).
As many of you know, my father was the team doctor for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the late 50s. As a result, my childhood was spent
around many of the Dodger greats of that era, and also as a regular at Shea Stadium (with those kinds of ties to the Dodgers my father
would have disowned me if I had tried to be a Yankee fan).
For me, being a regular at Shea was a lot more than being a ticket-holding attendee. Because of dad's ties I was actually behind-the-scenes
(i.e. pre-game practices, locker room, etc.). It was a pretty cool time to be a Mets fam in the late 60s and early 70s, especially for a kid between
the ages of 6-11 in those years.
Anyway, while many of the players were my heros there was one man with the Mets organization who was extremely special to me. In those days,
he was the Mets Manager Gil Hodges. Gil was one of the kindest and nicest people I ever had the pleasure of knowing. He was a friend of dad's,
so when I was around him I was his friend too. In many ways, it almost seemed like he was my 3rd grandfather. He used to get people to throw
"batting practice" to me or occasionally let me be part of the infield drills or shag fly balls. I still have my Mets "pitching" warm-up jacket from those
days. He was just such a special person. As best I know this is how he was with just about everyone I ever saw him with. A gentleman and a
role model.
During National this year my son struck up a conversation with the guy who was exhibiting next to us. He was a memorabillia dealer from NJ.
And my son knows me well. His eye came upon a small, mostly insignificant and inexpensive item that was sitting on this dealer's table (which I had
not noticed). He asked the dealer about it, and when he confirmed the significance of it he purchased it from his own pocket for me on the spot.
A few hours later here is what my son surprised me with:
I know it's not vintage unopened, or low-pop PSA 9 1970 Topps BB cards that I need, or some whale of a card that I have dreamed of owning. In fact,
I am not much of a memorabillia collector (other than the things I have left from dada's days with the Dodgers). However, this plate set of Gil Hodges
is now the pride and joy of my sports collecting. It reminds me of simpler days and the life lessons I learned from a man who truly belongs in both the
Baseball HoF and the HoF of Humanity.
Trivia Question: Gil Hodges was the second leading HR hitter in the 1950s with 310 dingers (and he is STILL not in the HoF). Who was the only person
to top him in that decade and how many HRs did that man hit?
Dave
0
Comments
Great gift from your son. Gifts don't have to cost a lot to mean a lot!
EDITED TO ADD: 16 more than Mr. Hodges.
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
More importantly, great story, thank you for sharing it.
ebay id Duffs_Dugout
My Ebay Auctions
How about a Rheingold -- here is a Bob Murphy commercial
Rheingold and Bob Murphy
Thanks for sharing
TheClockworkAngelCollection
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
Thank for sharing with us
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
BTW I am a bit embarrassed - I had assumed that Hodges was a HoF'er
That's great! Now just keep Ben away from the unopened stock
Mike
------
stupid print dots
It was great meeting you and your son at the National. I always enjoy when you share your stories with the board. After seeing this post, I looked for more information on Gil Hodges on Wikipedia. I would encourage everyone to take a couple of minutes and read that as I learned a lot and have a new appreciation for him. Thanks again for sharing.
Kevin
Seems like you had the most successful National than any of us. Congrats!!!
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
Collecting:
Any unopened Baseball cello and rack packs and boxes from the 1970's and early 1980s.
Joe
ALL MY PSA SETS
Great story btw
Mark
T206 Set - 300/524
Heading off to Greenland tonight for a week of business and some tourism. Never been there, but it will make country number 93 for me. Hope to post a few pictures here if I get a chance while I am there.
The Hodges plates are kind of like a Seder plate (for those of the persuasion who know about such things). For those who don't, the larger plate (about 12 inches in this case) fits all of the smaller plates on it at one time and acts like a "tray" for carrying them. The smaller plates are probably about 3 inches in diameter. They fit in sort of a hexagon pattern on the larger plate.
All of them are made from metal (some sort of alloy) and then the portraits seem to be painted on.
Cheers
Dave
Dave
Joe