12-year major league veteran Ron Hodges passed away today at the age of 74, per an announcement from the Mets. Hodges spent his entire career as a member of the Mets.
Before ultimately landing with the Mets, several other teams attempted to draft Hodges. The Orioles selected him in the sixth round of the 1970 draft, though he did not sign with them. 1971 saw Hodges drafted in both January and June by the Royals and Braves, respectively, though he did not sign with a team until New York selected him in the second round of the secondary phase in the 1972 January draft. After signing, Hodges reached the big leagues fairly quickly, debuting with the major league club in June of 1973.
Hodges took to the role he spent much of his career in during his 1973 rookie campaign, acting as the club’s backup catcher and a pinch-hitter off the bench. After catching Hall of Fame right-hander Tom Seaver in his first career big league game, Hodges went on to make the club’s postseason roster in 1973. Though he did not appear during the NLCS against the Reds, Hodges appeared in Game 1 of the World Series against the A’s as a pinch hitter, drawing a walk in his lone appearance during the series as the Mets went on to lose to Oakland in seven games.
For the first eight season of his career, Hodges was used largely in his aforementioned role as a backup and pinch-hitter. He performed acceptably in that role, slashing .233/.320/.314 in 377 games across those seasons. Hodges broke out somewhat with the bat in 1981, however. Though he only appeared in 35 games, he impressed with a .302/.375/.419 slash line across his 48 trips to the plate that season. That offensive showing earned him some additional playing time during the 1982 season; he split time behind the plate with John Stearns, appearing in 80 games and slashing an above-average .246/.358/.373 in 276 plate appearances.
Hodges’s solid showing in a larger role in 1982 allowed him an even bigger opportunity the following year. He was the Mets’ Opening Day starter behind the plate in 1983, when he caught Seaver in the first start of his return to Queens for his age-38 season. Hodges went on to appear in 110 games with the Mets that season, slashing .260/.383/.308 in 305 trips to the plate that season. It proved to be the penultimate season of his career, as Hodges retired after the 1984 season with 666 career games and 1,683 plate appearances under his belt. A career .240/.342/.322 hitter, Hodges collected 342 hits during his career. Those of us at MLBTR extend our condolences to Hodges’s family, friends, loved ones and teammates.
Oh, this hits hard. Ron Hodges was more than just a ballplayer; he was a Mets legend. The guy spent his entire 12-year career with the team, and that’s saying something. From pinch-hitter to backup catcher, he gave it his all, and that 1983 season – what a way to cap it off as the Opening Day starter. I can still imagine him catching Seaver’s return to Queens. That’s a moment etched in Mets history.
And let’s talk about that breakout in ’81 and the follow-up in ’82 – the man could play. It’s those glimpses of brilliance that make you appreciate the unsung heroes. It’s not just about the superstars; it’s about guys like Hodges, who quietly contribute and then step up when you least expect it.
But you know what really gets me? That final season in ’84. 666 career games – that’s more than just a number. A career .240 hitter, but stats only tell part of the story. The dude was a Met through and through.
Condolences to Hodges’s family and friends. We’ve lost a piece of Mets history, and that stings a bit extra today. Here’s to remembering the guy who wore the orange and blue with pride. Rest in peace, Ron Hodges.
Not sure if you regularly watch Mets games on SNY but he was at a game in the stands this past year and they interviewed him. Was very cool to see him at the ballpark. One of the longest tenured Mets ever. RIP.
Thats a lot praise for a guy who averaged 1 HR a year.. But He was a MET so you know what means..
I do remember him. Shows my age, HOF is safe … but a true professional … I don’t know what I don’t know .. but best to the family
Funny part is 40 years ago and his abilities made him a back up. Today, he’d be starting for half the league. Prayers to his family.
I remember when Ron visited our elementary school to come and talk to the kids about his career in baseball. We were all in awe to meet a real live baseball player. Rip Ron.
Cool, 12 years, all with the Mets. That is rare for a backup. There is also Tim Flannery who was a utility infielder for SD from 1979-1989.
Bob Montgomery was the Sox back up for nine years and had a career .250+ average. He did nothing great but was a superb back up catcher as was Hodges.
Saw plenty of him on TV baseball games born in Queens 14 years younger .
Saw him hit his first of only 19 MLB homers in Mets 3, Padres 1 on 6/17/73 just four days after his debut.
Only Met to play for both Yogi Berra and Davey Johnson.
Okay…lol
I remember Ron Hodges well, former Mets catcher for a spell.
74 seems too young these days. RIP.
RIP. He was a fixture thru club down period late 70s – early 80s.
Actually 1973-84.
I’m sure he didn’t mean exclusively…..
He did. Hodges played exclusively for the Mets for those 12 years and his entire career.
It’s not important – but I was referring only to my recollection as someone who began watching MLB games with passion in late 70s. Not the entire length of his career. This is where the internet and making assumptions disappoints
Final year his teammates were 19 year old Dwight Gooden and 22 year old Darryl Strawberry – 2 years shy of going to another World Series with 86 Mets
Was he with the organization at all for the 86 team? Seems like it would have been appropriate for a guy like to him to have received a ring after being a part of the organization for so many years.
No
Ron was also the only major leaguer to be a teammate of both Willie Mays and Darryl Strawberry.
RIP Ron…..
86 was the first year of baseball I can remember so I missed seeing him play unfortunately. Though my grandfather took me to Shea a few times when I was little before that so I may have been there… either way condolences to the family. LGM from wherever you are!
RIP
You rarely see guys like Hodges any more – a guy that wasn’t a star or even a true starting player, but was able to stay with one team and be part of their identity.
Condolences to his family, his Mets franchise and the older members of the fan base that can appreciate who he was.
Its crazy to think how we’re shocked when players come up to the majors so quickly after being signed. Hodges was officially drafted by the Mets in 72 and was up in 73.
Because all three catchers ahead of him on the depth chart – Jerry Grote, Duffy Dyer, and Jerry May – got hurt at the same time.
I don’t remember Mets’ Manager Yogi Berra as having catching rotations.. I don’t have much detail why Ron Hodges was called up so soon. The Mets’ regular catcher Jerry Grote had arm surgery in 1972 then was hit by pitch in 1973. The primary backup Duffy Dyer couldn’t perform offensively as the number one so Ron Hodges was called up. Grote returned and took over full time. The left handed hitting Hodges replaced Dyer as Grote’s primary backup.
According to Nick, Ron played in 666 games AND
had a .666 OPS. LOL
You can’t make this stuff up!
I guess you can make it up, since your math is wrong for the OPS.
Hodges was the epitome of a professional.. Never a star. Mainly a back-up. But never rocked the boat. Never belly-ached about playing time or (as far as I know) money. Played for the love of the game. The game sees very little of his kind these days. RIP, Mr. Hodges.
Very sad news. He is just a few years older than I am and was one of the nicest players I ever met. RIP Ron.
Unfortunately I don’t know who he is but sounds like he had a pretty good career/life r.i.p
He was solid. And as someone above mentioned, in today’s market he would have been a starter.
As a life long Mets fan it was like he was just always there in the 70s and early 80s, and he suffered along with those bad teams from 77-83. He did get to experience being part of a winning team at both the beginning and end of his career. For a couple of years he overlapped with Duffy Dyer as a solid, dependable backup, first with Grote, and then Stearns. In his last year, he shared the backup job with some guy named John Gibbons who was just in the news this week. While he was never a power threat or a great hitter, if you look up his numbers you’ll see that he actually walked a few times more than he struck out, so he had a good eye at the plate, which was useful for a pinch hitter. RIP Ron!
RIP Ron. Why did you not sign with either of the two teams who drafted you in the first round?
Passing of Mets history, shocking news as didnt know he’d taken ill. RIP, thanks for many good memories.
Thoughts and prayers. One of the best to ever do it.
Sweet dreams, Prince of Queens.
Here’s to the backup Cs RIP