INDIANAPOLIS—When it comes to naming a bridge, there is a lot involved.Legislators don’t just pick a random person, and then a bridge, and name it after them—there’s more to it. And right now, a bridge on State Road 57 over the East Fork of the White River between Petersburg and Washington (southwest of Indianapolis), is in the process of being named after Gil Hodges, an Indiana baseball legend.

So, who is Gil Hodges? What did he do to deserve the honor?  Hodges, an Indiana native, will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in July. Hodges was not only a first baseman for the Dodgers and a manager for the Mets but also a World War II hero.

During Hodges’ time with the Dodgers, he played first base and won three straight Gold Glove Awards. After he left the Dodgers, Hodges led the 1969 Mets to a World Series title as manager, turning the team into what was known as the ‘Miracle Mets.’

In addition to Hodges playing baseball, he was in the Marine Corps during World War II. During the Battle of Okinawa, he earned a Bronze Star. His Bronze Star citation states that he ‘‘was entrusted with the safeguarding and stenographic preparation of highly classified documents” through “extensive periods of enemy aerial alerts and extensive bombing attacks.”

A constituent reached out to Rep. Cindy Ledbetter, R-Chandler, talking about Gil Hodges and his accomplishments. That’s when Ledbetter decided to author House Resolution 26, which would name the bridge the “Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge.”
Kristen Gorski, press secretary and digital communications specialist for Sen. Michael Crider, R-Greenfield, explained the process: “Once heard, it will then be considered for adoption, and if adopted will go to the other chamber for consideration. It will go through the same process again and, if adopted by the other chamber, it will then be sent to INDOT for consideration.”
During the committee hearing, the senators discussed why the bridge should be named after Hodges.
Sen. Mark Messmer, R-Jasper, describes Hodges as a “multi-star athlete, a World War II hero, and one of the best players of the Brooklyn Dodgers.
“I don’t know that any county as small as Pike County is ever going to say they got a Hall of Fame inductee, and it’s a big honor for the community.”

The committee passed the resolution 6-0, and now moves forward to the House floor.

FOOTNOTE: Maddie Alexander is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.