josh gibson
December 21, 1911 – January 20, 1947
josh gibson
The Negro National League II saw few players with the ability to hit for power at the same rate as Josh Gibson. His prolific power at the plate has lead many baseball historians to compare him to slugger Babe Ruth. Gibson was never allowed to play Major League Baseball.
career
Joshua Gibson was an American professional baseball player, playing primarily as a catcher in both the Negro National League I (NNLI) and Negro National League II (NNLII).
However, Gibson saw almost his entire career for the Homestead Grays playing in the Negro National League II (NNLII). He also played for the and the Pittsburgh Crawfords
In terms of pure talent, baseball historians consider Josh Gibson to be among the most prolific power hitters to ever play the game of baseball.
This has lead many baseball historians to compare Josh to Babe Ruth, and that would be accurate comparison, given Josh Gibson was the Babe Ruth of the Negro Leagues as a whole.
In 1972, he became part of the first class of African-American professional baseball players, officially becoming the second player from the Negro Leagues to ever be inducted into Major League Baseball’s National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Gibson made his debut in the Negro Leagues in 1930 at the age of 18 for the Memphis Red Sox of the Negro National League I.
Josh Gibson served as the first manager of Cangrejeros de Santurce, one of the most historic franchises of the Puerto Rican League, before relocating to the United States to play for the Pittsburgh Crawfords from 1932 to 1936.
He would eventually return to the Homestead Grays franchise with the reincarnation of the Negro National League II from 1937 to 1939 and 1942 to 1946.
Known as a spectacular power hitter who, by some accounts, could have hit close to 800 career home runs had he been giving the opportunity.
In fact, some fans who saw both Babe Ruth and Josh Gibson play, in comparison called Babe Ruth "the white Josh Gibson". [3]
However, Gibson never did play Major League Baseball, a fact of reality that weighed heavily on Gibson throughout his life.
This all due to the unwritten "gentleman's agreement" that prevented non-white players from participating.
The power hitting phenom was a presence where ever he went, standing 6 ft 1 in and weighing 210 lb, Gibson was a dominant and intimidating presence at the plate.
At the peak of his career, Josh Gibson was the first player since Oscar Charleston to win consecutive Triple Crowns (leading the league in home runs, runs batted in, batting average).
No player in the Negro Leagues history or Major Leagues Baseball history has ever achieved this feat. [4]
On December 16, 2020, Major League Baseball announced that it will officially recognize the records of the Negro Leagues.
This gives Gibson the second-highest single-season major league batting average at .466, a mark set by Josh in 1943. [5]
Originally born in Buena Vista, Georgia to Mark and Nancy Woodlock Gibson, Josh’s younger brother was also a professional Negro Leaguer, Jerry Gibson. Josh also had a younger sister.
In 1923, the Gibson family moved to Pittsburgh and Josh's father found work at the Carnegie-Illinois Steel Company.
Entering sixth grade in Pittsburgh at the time, Gibson prepared to become an electrician, attending Allegheny Pre-Vocational School and Conroy Pre-Vocational School. [7]
His first experience playing baseball in any organized fashion came at the of age 16, when he played third base for an amateur semi-professional team sponsored by Gimbels Department Store, where he worked as an elevator operator.
Shortly thereafter, he was recruited by the none other than Gus Greenlee's Pittsburgh Crawford.
The Crawford’s at the time in 1928 were still considered to be a semi-professional team.
At the time, the Pittsburgh Crawfords were under the control of respected Pittsburgh area businesses magnate Gus Greenlee.
Gus and his business associates were well known as top talent evaluators, and most importantly for the league, solid financial partners in professional black baseball and in the semi-professional black baseball circuit in the Pittsburgh area at the time. [8]
Coinciding with the early beginnings of successes a professional baseball player, Josh met his future wife Helen, whom he married on March 7, 1929.
While he was not playing baseball, Gibson continued to work his minimum wage job at Gimbels Brother Department Store. He contemplated advancing his career as an electrician.
However, he soon began to see an opportunity opening for him to consider the decision to pursue a career in professional baseball.
In the summer of 1930, an 18-year-old Josh Gibson was signed by the Memphis Red Sox for a game in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
At that time, the Memphis Red Sox were managed by the well known and respected Negro Leagues legend Candy Jim Taylor.
Despite having a terrific game at the plate, going 2-2, Red Sox manager Candy Jim Taylor was not particularly impressed by his performance, reportedly saying after the game that "he would never make it in professional baseball as catcher."
These were strong words from a well tenured and respected figure within the Negro Leagues and Gibson took the criticism to heart.
This criticism fueled Gibson to prove that Candy Jim was wrong about him as a player.
This left a lasting impact on Gibson who played with a constant chip on his shoulder, an extra burden to endure during the unfriendly and often hostile time of segregation. [10]
By this time, Gibson had already begun to develop a reputation as one of the premiere players in all of professional black baseball.
By word of mouth alone his reputation of unmatched raw talent quickly spread through the league.
Those who had been pessimistic on Gibson were soon to be proved wrong.
In 1932, he was approached by Negro Leagues executive Cum Posey, owner of the Homestead Grays, the preeminent franchise in all of black baseball.
Cumberland Posey signed Gibson to a contract, and Josh would make his official debut with the Homestead Grays on July 31, 1937.
On August 11, Gibson's wife, pregnant with twins, went into premature labor, and subsequently passed away while giving birth to twin sons, Josh Gibson Jr., and daughter, Helen Gibson.
This tragedy took a heavy toll on the Gibson family who continued to endure inhospitable racial animous both on and off the field.
This major life set back would come at a time where Gibson was just beginning to display the true nature of his ability on the baseball field.
In the Negro Leagues, teams often found it more profitable to schedule relatively few official league games because this allowed teams the flexibility to earn extra income through barnstorming tours against semi-professional and other non-league ball clubs.
Barnstorming would prove to be a profitable enterprise, a strategy employed and mastered by Posey and the Homestead Grays for much of their existence.
This was a much different strategy employed than the Pittsburgh Crawfords owner, Gus Greenlee, who signed the 21 year old prospect to his second contract in the Negro National League II, in 1933.
In 1933, Gibson had an incredible season for the Crawfords, displaying the true nature of his ability at the plate, hitting .467 with 55 home runs in 137 games.
His lifetime batting average of .373, puts him as the all-time Negro Leagues Leader in batting average. [12]
In 2021, it was announced by Major League Baseball that the Negro Leagues would formally be recognized as a Major League, a major step forward for the Baseball History.
Ongoing research by Baseball Reference postulates that Josh led the Negro National League II 3 times in batting average, most notably hitting .417 in 1937.
Gibson also led the Negro National League I (NNLI) 6 times in on-base percentage and 8 times in slugging percentage. [13]
Josh Gibson's Hall of Fame plaque reads: "he hit almost 800 home runs in league and independent baseball during his 17-year career."
This figure includes games against semi-professional competition and games that were not well recorded and often were classified as undocumented exhibitions (as part of the barnstorming movement).
According to newly released data by Major League Baseball and the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Gibson's lifetime batting average was .373.
Gibson he won 9 home run titles while playing in both the Negro National League I (NNLI) and the Negro National League II (NNLII).
He won 3 Negro National League II batting titles playing for Gus Greenlee’s Pittsburgh Crawfords and Cum Posey’s Homestead Grays in 1936 (.389), 1937 (.417) and 1939 (.402).
As legend has it, Gibson hit a home run in a NNLII game held at Yankee Stadium that struck two feet from the top of the wall circling the center field bleachers, measuring about 580 feet (180 m) from home plate.
Chicago American Giants infielder, Jack Marshall said that Gibson once slugged a home run over the third deck next to the left-field bullpen at Yankee Stadium in 1934.
There is no published record or film to support this claim. However, there are numerous credible accounts that backup these legends, indicating they are closer to truth than fiction.
Washington Senators owner Clark Griffith once said that Gibson hit more home runs into Griffith Stadium's distant left field bleachers than the entire American League. [15]
A 2020 article published by the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) provides the supporting details for the majority of his home runs in major league ball parks.
In early 1943, Gibson suddenly fell into a coma, and was later diagnosed with a brain tumor. He refused surgical removal, and living the next 4 years with unbearable recurring headaches.
Later in 1944, Gibson’s injuries proved to be so debilitating that he was hospitalized at Washington, D.C. at Gallinger Hospital for temporary mental observation. [19]
Just three years later, on January 20, 1947, Gibson died of a stroke at the age of 35 years old in his Pittsburgh home.
He was buried at the Allegheny Cemetery in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, where he lay in an unmarked grave. A small plaque was placed by his resting place in 1975. [20]
Even though Jackie Robinson became the first black player to integrate, Larry Doby, (the second African American to integrate and the first to do so in the American League in July 1945e) felt that Gibson was the best black player in 1945 and 1946.
Doby said in an interview later, "One of the things that was disappointing and disheartening to a lot of the black players at the time was that Jack was not the best player. The best was Josh Gibson. I think that's one of the reasons why Josh died so early — he was heartbroken." [22]
In 1972, Josh Gibson and Buck Leonard became the second and third players inducted into Major League Baseball’s National Hall of Fame.
His acceptance was based singularly on his statistical contributions in the Negro Leagues.
On Josh Gibson's Hall of Fame plaque claims "almost 800 home runs for his career”.
Although validation of statistics throughout the Negro Leagues continues to be an on going concern, various amusing tall tales about players such as Gibson arouse.
An example of such:
"In the bottom of the ninth at Pittsburgh, down a run, with a runner on base and two outs,
Gibson hits one high and deep, so far into the twilight sky that it disappears, apparently winning the game. The next day, the same two teams are playing again, now in Washington. Just as the teams have positioned themselves on the field, a ball falls out of the sky, and a Washington outfielder grabs it. The umpire yells to Gibson, "You're out! In Pittsburgh, yesterday!" [25]
The United States Postal Service issued a 33-cent U.S. commemorative postage stamp which features a painting of Gibson, featuring his name and likeness.
In 2000, he ranked 18th on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, the highest-ranking of five players to have played all or most of their careers in the Negro leagues.
The others were Satchel Paige, Buck Leonard, Cool Papa Bell, Oscar Charleston. He was nominated as a finalist for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team in the same year.
At PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, an exhibit honoring the city's two Negro Leagues Baseball teams was introduced in 2006.
Located by the stadium's left field entrance and named Legacy Square, the display featured statues of seven players who competed for the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords, including Josh Gibson. [27]
In 2009, a statue of Gibson was installed inside the center field gate of Washington Nationals Park along with ones of Frank Howard and Walter Johnson.
He was named to the Washington Nationals Ring of Honor for his "significant contribution to the game of baseball in Washington, D.C" as part of the Homestead Grays on August 10, 2010.
Ammon Field in Pittsburgh was renamed Josh Gibson Field in his honor and is the site of a Pennsylvania State Historical Marker. [31]
An opera based on Josh Gibson's life, The Summer King, by composer Daniel Sonenberg, premiered on April 29, 2017, in Pittsburgh. [36] [37]
players
Oscar Charelston
Oscar Charelston
Oscar Charelston
Oscar Charleston played and managed in the Negro Leagues as an outfielder, first baseman and pitcher. Charleston would later become manager of the Indianapolis Clowns.
Cool Papa Bell
Oscar Charelston
Oscar Charelston
Cool Papa Bell played centerfield in the Negro Leagues from 1922 to 1946. played for the powerhouse Kansas City. Monarchs, Pittsburgh Crawfords, and Homestead Grays.
Buck Leonard
Oscar Charelston
Satchel Paige
Buck Leonard, along side Josh Gibson formed the best three-four, hitting tandem in the History of the Negro Leagues, leading the Homestead Grays to dominance.
Satchel Paige
Cumberland Posey
Satchel Paige
Satchel Paige began his 20 year career in the Negro Leagues pitching for the Chattanooga Lookouts. He would later make his MLB debut at age 42 for the Cleveland Indians.
Cumberland Posey
Cumberland Posey
Cumberland Posey
Cum Posey was a veteran Negro Leagues team owner, player, and league executive. He is the founding member of two leagues, and a Hall of Fame Basketball player.
Jackie Robinson
Cumberland Posey
Cumberland Posey
Jackie Robinson is the first African American to play Major League Baseball. He broke baseball's color barrier in 1945, by signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Roy Campanella
Roy Campanella
Roy Campanella
Roy Campanella played one season in the Negro Leagues, signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers just one season after Jackie Robinson’s debut in Major League Baseball.
Gus Greenlee
Roy Campanella
Roy Campanella
Gus Greenlee was a driving force behind the organization of the Negro National League I. During his time involved with Negro Leagues he owned several profitable side businesses.
Henry AAron
Roy Campanella
Candy Jim Taylor
Major League Baseball’s all-time leader in home runs with 755, few know Aaron began his baseball career in the Negro Leagues as a shortstop for the Indianapolis Clowns.
Candy Jim Taylor
Cristóbal Torriente
Candy Jim Taylor
Candy Jim Taylor was a professional third baseman, manager, and brother of four professional playing Negro Leaguers. His career in baseball spanned over 40 years.
Cristóbal Torriente
Cristóbal Torriente
Cristóbal Torriente
Cristóbal Torriente, often called the Babe Ruth of Cuba, played as an outfielder in the Negro Leagues from 1912-1932. He was most known for his incredible power to all fields.
Rube Foster
Cristóbal Torriente
Cristóbal Torriente
Considered one of the best pitchers of the early 1900s, and perhaps the most influential figure in Negro League history, Rube Foster founded the NNLI and managed the Chicago American Giants.
Larry Doby
Josh Gibson
Josh Gibson
Larry Doby was the second African-American baseball player to break baseball's color barrier and the first black player to play in the American League.
Josh Gibson
Josh Gibson
Josh Gibson
Even at the catchers position, Josh Gibson's display of power in his famed Negro Leagues career is something rarely seen in the history of Major League Baseball.
Sol White
Josh Gibson
Ben Taylor
King Solomon "Sol" White played baseball professionally as an infielder, manager and league executive. White is considered to be one of the pioneers of the Negro Leagues.
Ben Taylor
Ben Taylor
Ben Taylor
Born in July 1888, Ben Taylor was the youngest of 4 professional Negro Leaguers, including Candy Jim Taylor, C.I. Taylor, and Johnny Steel Arm Taylor.
Biz Mackey
Ben Taylor
Biz Mackey
Biz Mackey was regarded as one of the Negro Leagues premier offensive and defensive catchers, playing across several leagues from late 1920s and early 1930s.
Nat Strong
Ben Taylor
Biz Mackey
Nathaniel Strong was a Negro Leagues sports executive, businessman, team owner and founding member of the Negro National League I,
Monte Irvin
Turkey Stearnes
Turkey Stearnes
Monte Irvin flourished as one of the early African-American players in MLB, making 2 World Series appearances for the New York Giants, playing along side Willie Mays.
Turkey Stearnes
Turkey Stearnes
Turkey Stearnes
Norman Turkey Stearnes played professionally in the Negro Leagues, and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000.
Willie Mays
Turkey Stearnes
Steel Arm Taylor
A can’t miss five-tool player, Mays began his professional baseball career with the Black Barons, spending the rest of his career playing MLB for the Giants and Mets.
Steel Arm Taylor
Steel Arm Taylor
Steel Arm Taylor
John Boyce Taylor was the second-oldest of 4 baseball-playing brothers, the others being Charles, Ben and James. For the 1899-1900 seasons, Taylor won 90% of his games starting pitcher for the Giants.
Buck O'Neil
Steel Arm Taylor
Martín Dihigo
Buck signed with the Memphis Red Sox for their first year of play in the newly formed Negro American League (NAL). His contract was sold to the Kansas Monarchs the following year.
Martín Dihigo
Steel Arm Taylor
Martín Dihigo
Martín Magdaleno Dihigo Llanos called The Immortal, was a Cuban professional baseball player. He played in the Negro Leagues and Latin American leagues from 1923 to 1936.