In 1961, Baseball legend Gil Hodges played his last year with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and President John F. Kennedy also delivered these immortal words:
“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”
-John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961
These words of JFK epitomized the earlier life of Gil Hodges who left Dodger baseball after his first game in 1943 for the US Marine Corps. Hodges went on to serve valiantly in battle as a US Navy anti-aircraft gunner who fought in the Tinian and Okinawa battles. Hodges was awarded the Combat V for heroism under fire.
There are two things that really stand out to the Gil Hodges story. First and foremost–Gil Hodges the American citizen, not Gil Hodges the baseball player. In WWII, there were more important things at stake than the major league pennant or even World Series. Hodges represented a generation of the “Greatest Americans” who left everything behind to serve their country and to serve for a better world. When it was time to take one for the team–Hodges left his sport and country to serve abroad in the spirit of “All for one and one for all.”
The second point that stands out to me as a PE historian and a sports medicine professional for over 20 years is Gil Hodges “the athlete.” I did not say Gil Hodges “the baseball player” because he was far more than a baseball player. Hodges came up in the era of quality physical education and well-rounded physical activities. He was one of many who was actually a “four-sport” letterman. It’s shocking how overall athletic many were decades ago before sport specialization took over which removed a well-rounded athleticism and all the injury prevention protection multiple sports and activities provided. Hodges was a four-sport letterman in high school then went on to play three sports in college on scholarship: football, basketball, and baseball. In his baseball career, Hodges did not specialize in one position–he played every single position except pitcher. In 1959, Hodges had his 11th straight year of hitting 20 or more home runs. As a historian of physical education, fitness, and movement, I’m absolutely stunned at stories like Gil Hodges–so much talent for total fitness and movement quality whether it be multiple sports or fighting in combat.
Gil Hodges. Amazing athlete and baseball player? Yes, but even better, he was a Sergeant in the US Marine Corps who served valiantly in battle. He was a great American and global citizen. Thank you, Mr. Hodges.
So beyond your sport and in your life, what can you do for your country? Think it over. Take a swing for America. You might even hit a home run.
–Ron Jones, MS, Historical Kinesiologist, Physical & Health Educator
References:
- “The Los Angeles Dodgers” by Paul Zimmerman (1960)
- www.GilHodges.com
- Gil Hodges (Wikipedia)
- JFK Inaugural Speech, January 20, 1961 (JFK Library)
