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The ascent of slugging Outfielder Cleon Jones was less dramatic, but perhaps even more satisfying. A native of Mobile, Ala.—home town of a raft of stars, including Agee, Hank Aaron and Willie McCovey—he starred in high school football and track. Always lacking in self-confidence, he lost what little he had when he joined the defeatist Mets of 1963. Although Jones is a natural line-drive hitter, Manager Westrum made him swing for the fences. Later, Hodges decided to "platoon" him by playing him only against lefthanded pitchers. Cleon's batting average sagged, along with his self-assurance. Last year Hodges wisely decided to play Cleon regularly, and his average soared to .297. Now everyone is trying to keep up with Jones in the race for the league batting crown.
Cooperation and Pride
That was not the only sagacious move that Manager Hodges has made. He brought a calm, contemplative, commanding presence to the exuberant, undisciplined youngsters who poured into the Mets' 1968 spring training camp. There are those, in fact, who feel that Hodges is a bit too commanding. Says Cleveland's flamboyant outfielder, Ken ("The Hawk") Harrelson, who played for Washington during Hodges' five-year stewardship of the Senators: "He was unfair, unreasonable, unfeeling, incapable of handling men, stubborn, holier-than-thou and ice-cold." But the Mets seem to hold an altogether different view. Koosman sums up the team's attitude: "Hodges is one hell of a leader. He always has time to talk to you, he has a good sense of humor, and if he's distant, it's because he never wants to embarrass himself or the team. I wouldn't trade Hodges for any two other managers."
However opinions of Hodges may vary, everyone knows he means business. Within hours after the Mets arrived at camp last year, Hodges had them standing tall: curfews were enforced, jackets and ties were worn on road trips. Then he settled down to the arduous business of teaching them the fundamentals of baseball. That herculean undertaking soon exacted its toll. Hodges suffered a heart attack and was ordered to give up the two packs of cigarettes a day he was smoking. But he pressed on.
Mindful of the Mets' conspicuous weaknesses, Hodges stressed basics—pick-offs, cutoffs, double plays—until the players had them down pat. "In the old days," says St. Louis Manager Red Schoendienst, "you could always expect the Mets to give you a few runs by doing dumb things. Now they make the plays in the field like professionals. The Mets have grown up." Perhaps most significant, they have developed a large measure of team cooperation and team pride. Says Hodges: "My main goal was to change the notion that everything the Mets did was wrong. I wanted them to do things right."
A Real Good Shot