A Valued Draft Pick: Gil Hodges

The Mets selected Dodgers star Gil Hodges with the 14th pick of the 1961 expansion draft. When he signed his new deal Hodges said, “I hope by a lot of hard work in spring training and regular play during the coming season that I can get back in the groove. I think I can and I think Mr. [Rogers] Hornsby (Mets hitting coach) can help me find the groove again.” The veteran first baseman hit the first home run in franchise history and posted a strong .803 OPS over the season.