Ron Hodges, a beloved catcher who dedicated his entire 12-season major league career to the New York Mets, passed away at the age of 74 on Friday. His death followed a brief illness, as confirmed by Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz.
Hodges, who was chosen by the Mets in the second round of the January 1972 amateur draft, leaves behind a legacy that includes a .240 batting average, 19 home runs, and 147 RBIs during his big league journey from 1973 to 1984. He boasted a .342 on-base percentage, accumulated 224 walks, and faced 217 strikeouts.
Throughout his time with the Mets, Hodges played under the guidance of seven different managers, including Yogi Berra, Roy McMillan, Joe Torre, George Bamberger, Frank Howard, and Davey Johnson.
Born in Rocky Mount, Virginia, Hodges was the seventh of nine children in the Hodges family. He attended Franklin County High School and later Appalachian State.
Hodges’ debut with the Mets occurred on June 13, 1973, just nine days before his 24th birthday. He played a crucial role in catching Tom Seaver’s complete game victory over the San Francisco Giants. In his rookie season, Hodges delivered a .260 batting average, one home run, and 18 RBIs. Notably, he hit a walk-off single in the 13th inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 20, helping the Mets pull within half a game of first place.
One memorable moment from Hodges’ career came during a crucial play known as the “Ball on the wall play.” In a game against the Pirates, he tagged Richie Zisk trying to score from first base, a play that contributed to the Mets’ division lead.
Ron Hodges made one postseason plate appearance, drawing a walk against Rollie Fingers of the Oakland Athletics in Game 1 of the 1973 World Series.
Reflecting on his career, Hodges expressed fondness for the 1973 season, especially the pennant drive in September. He remembered it as his favorite memory in his baseball career.
Hodges, like many players, experienced an interruption in his career due to the 50-day midseason strike in 1981. In response to the labor dispute, he joked that he might return home to Virginia, noting that substitute teaching was an option during the offseason.
In 1983, Hodges was the catcher for Tom Seaver’s return to the Mets on Opening Day, marking a significant moment in both their careers. That year, Hodges played 110 games, his highest in a single season, due to injuries to John Stearns.
Ron Hodges is survived by his wife, Peggy, and their sons Riley, Gray, Nat, and Casey, along with sisters Aubrey, Carmen, Pat, and Donna, and two grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were yet to be announced, as friends, family, and fans remember the dedicated catcher who made an impact on the New York Mets and the world of baseball.