This evocative Helmar art card depicts Gil Hodges, the revered Brooklyn Dodgers first baseman, standing poised
at the plate in his crisp white flannels. The image is framed by a bold, stylized ballpark rendered in rich hues of
crimson, violet, and olive green—colors that evoke the warmth of Ebbets Field at dusk. The careful play of light
and shadow across Hodges’ uniform captures his quiet strength, while the geometric composition lends the scene
a timeless mid-century elegance that defines Helmar’s “This Great Game” series.

Hodges was one of the cornerstones of the fabled ‘Boys of Summer’ teams that brought Brooklyn its long-awaited
1955 World Series title. A model of consistency, he drove in over 100 runs seven times and was an eight-time All-
Star, later earning further acclaim as the manager who guided the 1969 ‘Miracle Mets’ to an improbable championship.
Beloved for his sportsmanship and leadership, Hodges remains a symbol of Brooklyn’s golden baseball era.

Helmar’s ‘This Great Game’ cards combine vivid hand-painted imagery with nostalgic design rooted in classic gum
issues of the 1930s–50s. Each card is printed on thick, lightly toned stock to recreate the tactile charm of baseball’s
collecting past. This example, Card No. 3, pays tribute to Gil Hodges’ enduring grace on and off the field, capturing
both his quiet power and the artistic refinement of Helmar’s craft.

Original gouache painting by Sanjay Verma.