Gibson, Josh

in full Joshua Gibson

born Dec. 21, 1911, Buena Vista, Ga., U.S.

died Jan. 20, 1947, Pittsburgh, Pa.

U.S. baseball player.

Gibson played as a catcher in the Negro leagues for the Pittsburgh Crawfords (1927–29, 1932–36) and the Homestead (Pa.) Grays (1930–31, 1937–46). Though precise records do not exist, he is believed to have led the Negro leagues in home runs for 10 consecutive seasons and to have had a career batting average of .347. His catching ability was praised by major-league stars against whom he played in exhibition games. Often called "the black Babe Ruth," he was one of the greatest players kept from the major leagues by the unwritten rule barring black ballplayers. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.

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▪ American baseball player

born December 21, 1911, Buena Vista, Georgia, U.S.

died January 20, 1947, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

 American professional baseball player called the black Babe Ruth (Ruth, Babe), one of the greatest players kept from the major leagues by the unwritten rule (enforced until the year of his death) against hiring black ballplayers.

      Gibson played as a catcher for the Pittsburgh Crawfords (1927–29 and 1932–36) and the Homestead Grays of Pennsylvania (1930–31 and 1937–46). Although precise records do not exist, he is believed to have led the Negro National League (Negro league) in home runs for 10 consecutive seasons and to have had a career batting average of .347. He hit 75 home runs for Homestead in 1931. His catching ability was praised by Walter Johnson (Johnson, Walter) and other major league stars against whom he played in exhibition games. Gibson was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.

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