Americana & the U.S.

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You’re Out!

Gil Hodges made a miraculous catch in the 1949 World Series. Or did he?

In 1969, a man brought to my house this framed copy of photo, telling me it’s from the third game of 1949 World Series between Yankees and Dodgers. It shows Gil Hodges diving into stands after Gene Woodling’s foul ball. He pointed out his dad in dark suit reaching for ball, which Hodges made miraculous catch of. Then he had pulled from his pocket this incident’s ball pictured in lower right of frame. After I had read what was on ball, he told me to read ball’s other side; as seen on the back of this frame

I turned the ball over and read “OUT NEVER CAUGHT!” I asked what this meant, and he explained, “In that photo, it was my dad who caught this ball, and being fanatic Bums fan, he stuck it secretly in Hodges’ glove. As he climbed out of seats, he was holding his glove on high with this ball in it and the ump yelled “OUT!” I asked how his dad had gotten the ball? “Out had ended inning, Hodges came over and gave my dad the ball, saying “Nice catch!”

In 1972, I went to see Gene Woodling, who was at Wapak IGA market as promotion for Kahn wieners. I asked him if he recalled Hodges great World Series catch of ball he had fouled off. “Well Jim, it’s nearly 25 years ago, but I remember it like yesterday.. cause I had feeling I was due to hit one off Ralph (Branca) and I can’t believe Hodges caught my foul ball!” I said, “Hodges didn’t catch it. Fan caught it, and stuck it in his glove!” “That son-of-a-bitch!”