Black History Month Profile: Josh Gibson

Considered one of the most amazing home run hitters in the history of the game, Josh Gibson was dubbed the “Babe Ruth of Black Baseball” by those who saw him play. His home runs were stuff of legend, and it said that he once hit a home run out of Yankee Stadium. Throughout his career, he played for the Pittsburgh Crawfords and the Homestead Grays, as well as stops in Latin America and Puerto Rico.

Seen as a decent catcher, it was his powerful bat that got attention and did most of the damage. Although he was known best as a power hitter, he also hit for average, had speed, as well as rifle arm for a catcher. He according to records, he hit 800 plus home runs throughout his baseball career, as well had a lifetime batting average perhaps higher than .350 in the Negro Leagues, although the league did not keep records.

In the world of Negro League Baseball, Josh Gibson was respected by the ballplayers & fans; therefore, he had a stature comparable to Ruth or Gehrig in that era within the black community.

Sadly, he died a few months before Jackie Robinson played his first game in the Major Leagues at 35. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972.