Charlie Hodes

Charles Hodes (c. 1848 – February 14, 1875) was an American professional baseball player who played as a catcher, infielder, and outfielder in the National Association for three seasons from 1871 to 1874. A Brooklyn native, Hodes played one season each for the Chicago White Stockings, Troy Haymakers, and Brooklyn Atlantics. He had a career batting average of .231 in 63 total games before dying from tuberculosis in 1875.

Early life Hodes was born to German immigrants in Manhattan, New York, in about 1848, though the exact date of his birth is unknown. His family lived in Manhattan until about 1853, when they moved to Brooklyn. There, Hodes would eventually play baseball with multiple amateur teams.

Amateur career In 1868, Hodes joined the hometown Brooklyn Eckfords, playing for them in 1869 as well.

Chicago White Stockings (1870–1871) Hodes moved to Chicago before the 1870 season, and joined the city's first professional baseball team, the Chicago White Stockings.

The White Stockings claimed the national championship after defeating the powerful Cincinnati Red Stockings in October, although the rival New York Mutuals disputed that claim. Hodes is listed in an 1870 city directory: he lived at 101 Adams Street and his profession was simply "ball player."

Hodes returned to the White Stockings in 1871, when the team joined the first all-professional league, the National Association. Hodes's first National Association game with Chicago came on May 8, against the Cleveland Forest Citys at the Union Base-Ball Grounds in Chicago. Playing catcher for the team, he had two hits, two runs scored, and two runs batted in (RBI) in Chicago's 14–12 victory. Though Hodes was Chicago's main catcher during the season, manager Jimmy Wood also used him as a third baseman, shortstop, and outfielder. Despite these challenges, the White Stockings remained in contention for the league title until the final day of the season (October 30), when they faced the Philadelphia Athletics in a game that would determine the champion. Catching that day, Hode was hitless in three at bats as Philadelphia won 4–1. In 28 games in 1871, Hodes batted .277 with 32 runs scored, 36 hits, two home runs (the only ones of his career), and 25 RBI.