Gil Hodges: The Quiet Man

Hodges, who died in 1972, has a double claim to fame: he played for the Brooklyn/L.A. Dodgers in the late '40s and '50s, thus qualifying as one of the ``Boys of Summer,'' and he managed the ``Miracle Mets'' of 1969 to their first world championship. A taciturn and calm person from Indiana farm country, he was deeply religious and gave his first loyalty to his family. In the world of baseball he was respected and loved. Brooklyn-born Amoruso, a longtime Hodges fan who has produced, written and directed for television, here offers a so-called biography that is little more than a compilation of encomiums from former teammates, players whom Hodges managed and residents of his home town. The book hardly discusses Hodges's minor league years, nor traces his major league career chronologically. One senses that the purpose here is primarily to make a plea for Hodges to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Photos. 25,000 first printing. (Sept.)