who was a better first baseman Gil Hodges or Tony Perez?

Question

I say Gil Hodges.

Answer 1

Perez had a distinctly longer career and better peak seasons. He also had a much longer "hanging on, league-average (or worse) spare part" phase to end his career.

Hodges tended to create more runs during his peak seasons.

So, l'd take...

for a peak season -- Perez.

for a career peak span of seasons -- probably Hodges, but it's close. He didn't hit Perez' maxima, but stayed a bit higher overall for the duration.

for a full career -- man, it's close. Hodges was a slightly better hitter and didn't use up as much playing time during his decline phase (and when a right-handed slugger can't produce in the LA Coliseum, it's time to call it quits). Hodges' decline was faster. Perez created more runs overall (but he played longer, so he should have), Hodges created runs at a better rate. They both outperformed their leagues by about the same margin. I don't put a lot of stock into defense at first base, but Hodges did win three Gold Gloves, which I guess says a little something about his D. I suppose, on total career value, I'd take Perez, but recognize that his decline phase is a hefty price to pay for his slightly better peak seasons and durability.

None of which is to say that, because Perez is in the Hall, Hodges should be too. I consider Perez to have been a weak selection and therefore a mistake to not be repeated, and not a new level of acceptability that opens the door wider. High standards are a good thing. Hodges is, after Santo, The Best Player Not In The Hall, and while that's a dubious honor, it well-fits his career. TBPNITH has to be someone, and it may as well be someone that good but just not quite good enough.

Perez got in due to years of drumbeating in support of his candidacy, backed by the Most RBIs Of Anyone Not In The Hall card, which, having been played (and cleverly, if meaninglessly), will do no good for the current cardholder, Harold Baines, nor will it help the heir-apparent, Rafael Palmeiro. Baines is not Hall measure, and Palmeiro, though he is, has that nasty smoking gun in his hand that is difficult to evaluate right now (in terms of his eventual Hall candidacy) but certainly won't help him any.

Answer 2

WOW, surprisingly i think they are the same guy LOL
but seriously their stats (both batting and fielding) are so similar that i find it very difficult to say who was better, i suppose Tony is in the Hall basically due to who his teamates were (Rose, Bench, Morgan, Concepcion, Foster) etc. but i guess in turn Gil played with some great teams also (Robinson, Campy, Duke, Pee Wee). So really how to you choose ?? If you were to ask do i feel Gil Hodges Belongs in the Hall of Fame along with his Teamates,and Tony Perez. then my answer would be a resounding YES.

Answer 3

Gil Hodges, and he should be in the Hall of Fame. What he did with the '69 Mets is also of major significance.

Answer 4

Gil hands down

Answer 5

Close call. I go with Hodges.

Answer 6

who cares
DODGERS SUCK