Josh Gibson
| Birthdate | 12/21/1911 |
| Death Date | 1/20/1947 |
| Debut Year | 1930 |
| Year of Induction | 1972 |
| Teams | Negro Leagues |
| Position | Catcher |
Catcher Josh Gibson hit over 800 home runs. Is it better to call Gibson, “The Black Babe Ruth“, or call the Bambino “The White Josh Gibson”?
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Josh Gibson was discovered by Pittsburgh Crawford manager Hooks Tinker
Josh Gibson was discovered by Pittsburgh Crawford manager Hooks Tinker
Hall of Fame catcher Josh Gibson is one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. The four-time Negro League batting champion, Gibson is credited with a .345 career average on Baseball Reference.
Gibson was discovered while playing in an Industrial League All Star game in 1928. Pittsburgh Crawford manager Harold “Hooks” Tinker was in attendance. The rest is history.
According to SABR, Tinker said, “I had two of my Crawford players on that all-star team. … Otherwise I wouldn’t have been there. And that’s when I saw Josh. He was playin’ third base, and he was very mature in his actions; you wouldn’t think he was only 16 years old…I signed (him). I brought Josh Gibson into the semipro picture.”
In the collection is this letter from Hooks Tinker who discovered the great catcher Gibson. Here Tinker writes about Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige.
“One of the sweetest of my playing days we the Pgh. Crawfords defeated the Homestead Grays for the first time. This was the game in which ‘Satchel’ Paige made his debut with the Crawfords as he blanked the Grays for 5 2/3 innings.”
Tinker signed the letter at the bottom.
Many myths surround Hall of Fame Negro League catcher Josh Gibson
Many myths surround Hall of Fame Negro League catcher Josh Gibson
Josh Gibson is credited with over 800 homers and seven Negro League batting championships. His power produced a mythical status with tall tales accompanying it.
One of the funniest of such stories takes place in Pittsburgh. In the bottom of the ninth, 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 from sight, 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 comes falling out of the sky and a Washington outfielder grabs it. The umpire yells to Gibson, “You’re out! In Pittsburgh, yesterday!”
Shown here is a photo of Gibson playing catcher working to apply the tag to the Homestead Grays Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe, so named because of his prowess at the plate and on the mound.
Buck O'Neil lists Josh Gibson on his All Time Negro League team
Buck O'Neil lists Josh Gibson on his All Time Negro League team
The Veterans Committee thought enough of Josh gibson to put him in the Hall of Fame. Thinking along those same lines, the legendary Buck O’Neil rated Gibson his his catcher among O’Neil’s All Time Negro League All Stars.
A quick glance at the rest of the names finds many Hall of Fame players. In fact, the only player O’Neil lists who is not in Cooperstown in second baseman Newt Allen.
Hall of Fame Plaque of Josh Gibson
Hall of Fame Plaque of Josh Gibson
As one of the best players in the history of baseball, Josh Gibson excites historians and autograph collectors alike.
Though he enjoyed a long and productive playing career, Gibson was diagnosed with a brain tumor while an active player. Refusing the option of surgical removal, Gibson continued playing for four more seasons with horrific headaches.
In early 1947 Gibson died of a stroke at age 35. Four months later Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier. Gibson’s autograph is not in the collection at this time.
