-native Hoosier (coal miner's son)
-Marine who won the Bronze star in WWII combat in the South Pacific
-one of the Brooklyn Dodgers legendary " Boys of Summer "
-Jackie Robinson's one and only roommate for 10 years
-loved and respected by players and fans
-managed the 1969 Miracle Mets
-HOF player/manager
-devout Catholic, husband and father of four
-died way too early of a heart attack at age 47
-10,000 Brooklynites
showed up for his funeral
-Gil Hodges: A great man!