Gil Hodges Mural

Before becoming one of major league baseball's all-time greats, Gil "Bud" Hodges grew up on Main Street in Petersburg. Gil was a four-sport, stand-out athlete at Petersburg High School and later attended St. Joseph's College.  Gil played first base for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers (1943, 1947-1961) and New York Mets (1962-1963). He served in the United State Marine Corps 16th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion stationed at Pearl Harbor and was the recipient of the Bronze Star. Gil's storied career as a manager started with the Washington Senators from 1963 to 1967. From 1968 until his death in 1971, Gil managed the New York Mets. Most notably, he led the 1969 "Miracle Mets" to the World Series Championship. This 52’x16’mural, painted by artist Randy Hedden, was dedicated in 2009. The mural includes pictures of Gil as a Brooklyn Dodger, manager of the New York Mets, and batting at Ebbets Field.