Position: second base/ first base/ outfield Bats: left & right Throws: right

Gordon Hopkins grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland. He attended Norbeck Elementary in 1940 and went on to Rockville Lincoln High where he played baseball and was in the school band. He developed a love for the saxophone listening to his favorite sax artists "Illinois Jackhead" and the "Freddy Martin Band". He delivered papers and cut lawns to raise money to purchase a tenor sax that his aunt had placed on layaway at Kitts Music Store in Washington, D.C. The sax was soon his, and before long he had a regular gig... his aunt volunteered him to play at the church's monthly youth services.

He was inspired by his baseball-playing uncle to chase a dream in baseball. In 1949, when Lincoln High won the MD State Championship, Hoppy was on the team. He moved to New York where he graduated from NYC's George Washington High.

After high school, he moved to Sugar Hill, an area in Harlem where his mom lived. He worked with the youth in the CYO program. He took advantage of an opportunity to enter into the Marty's League with a team called the "Crusaders." Marty's was a sporting good store in the area that organized the league. One hitch... all uniforms had to be purchased from Marty's.

A friend visiting from Washington, D.C., whose uncle was the business manager of the Indianapolis Clowns, saw Hoppy's interest in baseball and admired his accomplishments. This contact proved to be Hoppy's opportunity to show his stuff to "Bunny Downs," the manager of the Clowns. He was first sent to the House of David Ball Club and later became the second baseman for the Clowns, with Buster Hayward as the manager. He played for the Clowns from 1952 through 1954.

In 1954, the US Army drafted Hoppy. He had nearly a year before he was due to report, so rather than wait for the draft to become active, he went ahead and enlisted in the Marine Corp. He did basic training at Paris Island where he was trained in Advanced Combat and joined the Eighth Engineer Outfit at Camp Lejeune. In the first part of 1955, he was transferred to the Special Service where he played baseball. After two years he proceeded to Paris Island where he continued to play ball. There he met some racial discrimination. He was forced to ride the bench the entire 1957 season, back up to infielders that previously played behind him.

Bunny Downs' letter to the commanding general got Hoppy an opportunity to show his wares. That was all he needed, just a chance. His 1958 team was crowned the Paris Island All Marine Champions.

He was discharged in November 1958 and moved to Philadelphia to be with his ailing aunt.

Gordon took away from the NLB a great deal of experience that offered wisdom and knowledge that would help him in the years to follow.