Gil Hodges was posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 24, 2022, and for many fans, the first baseman's induction was long overdue. Hodges was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers and appeared in one game in 1943, and then he began a stint in the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II, winning a bronze star. After playing in the minors, Hodges returned to the Dodgers in 1947 and played with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers through 1961. He played in 1962 as an original New York Met, and briefly played for the Mets again in 1963 before moving on to the Washington Senators that season as a manager. During the 1950s, Gil hit more home runs and had more RBIs than any other right-handed hitter in the National League. A marvelous fielder, he won the first Gold Glove Award for first basemen (back when only one MLB award for each position was given, regardless of league), and he won the next two Gold Gloves. Hodges was a beloved player in Brooklyn, and when his hitless string extended from the 1952 season's last four games into the World Series, Dodgers fans, instead of booing him, pulled for him to break the slump, sent him good luck charms, advice, and well-wishes. He eventually went 0-21 in the '52 World Series but regained his batting stroke in '53. Hodges managed for five seasons in Washington and then from 1968-71 with the New York Mets, and he was the manager of the famous Miracle Mets of 1969, the improbable World Champions. The Spalding (Haiti) Official Pro League baseball has Hodges' signature and inscription written on a side panel. Using black ink from a ballpoint pen, Hodges has written and inscribed, in big and bold neat script, "Best Wishes Gil Hodges." The ball shows use, with some scrapes, some dirt marks, a few small stains, and some darkening. The baseball comes with a JSA LOA.