Josh Gibson was one of the greatest baseball players of all time, but he never got the chance to play in the major leagues because of the color barrier. He was a star catcher and a prolific home run hitter in the Negro Leagues, earning the nicknames “the black Babe Ruth” and “the black Superman”. He was also a tragic figure, who died at the age of 35 from a stroke, just a few months before Jackie Robinson broke the racial barrier in baseball. What was the cause of his death, and how did it affect his legacy?
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The Rise of Josh Gibson
Josh Gibson was born on December 21, 1911, in Buena Vista, Georgia. He moved with his family to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, when he was a young boy. He showed a natural talent for baseball, playing for various amateur and semi-professional teams in the city. He was discovered by Cumberland Posey, the owner of the Homestead Grays, one of the most successful teams in the Negro Leagues. Posey signed Gibson as a backup catcher in 1930, when he was only 18 years old.
Gibson quickly proved himself as a valuable player, both behind the plate and at the bat. He had a strong arm, a quick release, and a good rapport with the pitchers. He also had a powerful swing, a keen eye, and a knack for hitting the ball out of the park. He soon became the starting catcher and the cleanup hitter for the Grays, leading them to several championships in the 1930s and 1940s. He also played for other Negro League teams, such as the Pittsburgh Crawfords and the Mexican League’s Veracruz Azules. He was widely regarded as the best hitter and the best catcher in black baseball, and one of the best in the world.
The Mystery of Josh Gibson’s Home Runs
One of the most intriguing aspects of Josh Gibson’s career is the number of home runs he hit. There is no official record of his statistics, as the Negro Leagues did not keep consistent records, and many of the games were not documented. However, various sources have estimated that he hit anywhere from 200 to 800 home runs in his career, with some even claiming that he hit over 900. Some of his home runs were legendary, such as the one he allegedly hit out of Yankee Stadium, or the one he hit with one hand after being fooled by a changeup.
According to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Gibson hit 107 home runs in 1,987 plate appearances, for a rate of one home run every 18.6 at-bats. This is comparable to the rates of Babe Ruth (one every 11.8) and Hank Aaron (one every 16.4), who are the top two home run hitters in major league history. However, this is based on a limited sample of recorded games, and does not include the home runs he hit in exhibition games, barnstorming tours, winter leagues, and other unofficial contests. Some researchers have tried to reconstruct his career statistics using newspaper accounts, eyewitness testimonies, and other sources, but the results vary widely. For example, one study by Larry Lester and Dick Clark found that Gibson hit 238 home runs in 4,374 at-bats, for a rate of one every 18.4. Another study by John Holway found that Gibson hit 384 home runs in 3,769 at-bats, for a rate of one every 9.8. A third study by Robert Peterson found that Gibson hit 563 home runs in 4,578 at-bats, for a rate of one every 8.1.
The truth is, we may never know the exact number of home runs Josh Gibson hit, or how he would have fared against major league pitching. However, we do know that he was a phenomenal hitter, who impressed both his teammates and his opponents with his skill and power. He also faced some of the best pitchers in baseball history, such as Satchel Paige, Dizzy Dean, and Bob Feller, and held his own against them. He was respected and admired by many white players, who wished they could play with him or against him in the majors. He was also a hero and an inspiration to many black players, who looked up to him as a role model and a leader.
The Decline and Death of Josh Gibson
Unfortunately, Josh Gibson’s life was not as glorious as his baseball career. He faced many hardships and challenges, both on and off the field. He suffered from racism and discrimination, which prevented him from playing in the major leagues and earning the recognition and the money he deserved. He also endured personal tragedies, such as the death of his wife Helen, who died while giving birth to their twins in 1930, and the death of his son Josh Jr., who died of meningitis in 1943. He also struggled with alcoholism, drug addiction, and mental health issues, which affected his performance and his behavior.
In 1943, Gibson was diagnosed with a brain tumor after falling into a coma. Once he regained consciousness, he refused surgical removal of the tumor. He survived with recurring headaches. He continued to play baseball, but his health and his skills deteriorated. He became moody, irritable, and erratic. He also gained weight and lost speed and agility. He still hit some home runs, but not as many or as far as before. He also made more errors and passed balls as a catcher. He was no longer the dominant player he once was.
He passed away on January 20, 1947, from a stroke, at just 35 years old. He died in his home in Pittsburgh, where he lived with his sister and his niece. He was buried in Allegheny Cemetery, in an unmarked grave. His death was barely noticed by the mainstream media, and overshadowed by the news of Jackie Robinson signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers, which happened three months earlier. Robinson would go on to break the color barrier in baseball on April 15, 1947, opening the door for many other black players to follow. However, Gibson never got to see that historic moment, or to enjoy the fruits of his own labor and talent.
The Legacy of Josh Gibson
Despite his tragic death, Josh Gibson’s legacy lives on. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time, and one of the most influential figures in the history of the sport. He is also recognized as a pioneer and a trailblazer, who paved the way for the integration of baseball and the advancement of civil rights. He is honored and celebrated by many institutions and organizations, such as:
- The Baseball Hall of Fame, which inducted him in 1972, as the second Negro League player after Satchel Paige. He was elected by a special committee, which reviewed the careers of black players who were excluded from the major leagues. He received 10 out of 12 votes, the highest percentage of any player in that year’s class. His plaque reads: “A tragic and legendary figure, Josh Gibson was the greatest power hitter in black baseball, pounding out home runs with regularity despite playing most of his career in two of baseball’s most cavernous ballparks: Forbes Field and Griffith Stadium. He utilized a fluid, compact swing to hit for both average and power, and tales of his mammoth home runs became legend. In recorded at-bats against big league pitching, Gibson batted .426. He died just three months before the integration of baseball in the Major Leagues.”
- The Josh Gibson Foundation, which was founded in 1994 by his grandson Sean Gibson. The foundation is a non-profit organization that provides academic and athletic programs for children and youth in Pittsburgh and other communities. The foundation’s mission is to “preserve the legacy of Josh Gibson and the Negro Leagues while creating opportunities for future generations to succeed.” The foundation also operates the Josh Gibson Field, a baseball facility that hosts youth leagues, tournaments, and clinics.
- The Josh Gibson MVP Award, which was established in 2016 by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. The award is given annually to the best hitter in each league, as voted by the fans. The award is named after Gibson, who is considered the greatest hitter in Negro Leagues history. The award is designed to “celebrate the rich history of the Negro Leagues and its impact on the game of baseball and the social advancement of America.”
- The Josh Gibson Heritage Park, which is a planned project by the City of Pittsburgh and the Josh Gibson Foundation. The park will be located in the Hill District, near the site of the former Greenlee Field, where Gibson played for the Pittsburgh Crawfords. The park will feature a bronze statue of Gibson, along with plaques and panels that tell the story of his life and career. The park will also include a playground, a picnic area, and a baseball field. The park is expected to be completed by 2023, in time for the 150th anniversary of Gibson’s birth.
Josh Gibson was a remarkable baseball player, who overcame many obstacles and achieved many feats. He was a legend, who left a lasting mark on the game and the society. He was a hero, who inspired generations of players and fans. He was a human, who had flaws and struggles, but also dreams and hopes. He was Josh Gibson, and he deserves to be remembered.
