Quick Facts
Also Known As: Joshua Gibson
Died At Age: 35
Family:
Spouse/Ex-: Helen Mason (m. 1929)
father: Mark Gibson
mother: Nancy Woodlock Gibson
siblings: Annie, Jerry
children: Helen, Josh Gibson Jr.
Born Country: United States
Baseball Players American Men
Height: 5'10" (178 cm), 5'10" Males
Died on: January 20, 1947
place of death: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Diseases & Disabilities: Brain Tumor
Cause of Death: Stroke
Grouping of People: Black Baseball Players
U.S. State: Georgia
Childhood & Early Life
Josh Gibson was born on December 21, 1911, in Buena Vista, Georgia, USA. His father was Mark Gibson and his mother was Nancy Woodlock Gibson. He had two siblings, Annie and Jerry.
In 1920, the family moved to Pittsburgh and Mark became a steel miner. The young Josh went to attend the ‘Allegheny Pre-Vocational School’ and ‘Conroy Pre-Vocational School’. At the age of 15, he started working alongside his father as a steel miner.
He was introduced to organized baseball at the age of 16. He joined the ‘Gimbels A.C.’ while working as an elevator operator for the ‘Gimbels’ department store.
Career
Josh Gibson started playing semi-professional baseball in 1929, for the ‘Pittsburgh Crawfords’. His reputation as a player and hard-hitter capable of hitting massive home runs started to spread in Pittsburgh.
On July 25, 1930, he was watching a ‘Homestead Grays’ match from the stands when the team catcher Buck Ewing got injured. He was invited to replace Ewing and thus began his journey in Negro league baseball. As the league did not compile complete game statistics or summaries, his true achievements have been lost to history.
Josh Gibson played for the team ‘Homestead Grays’ from 1930 to 1931. In 1930, he scored more than 13 runs in 71 at-bats, and more than 5 home runs, with a batting average of .338.
He re-joined the ‘Pittsburg Crawfords’ in 1932 after becoming one of their highest-paid batters. He remained with them until 1936. He recorded official stats of 162 runs in 733 at-bats and 38 home runs, with a .362 batting average.
Gibson was recruited by the ‘Homestead Grays’ again in 1937. He spent the next three years with them until 1940. During this time, he scored more than 88 runs in 268 at-bats and 23 home runs, with a .308 batting average.
In 1937, he also played for the Dominican league team ‘Dragones de Ciudad Trujillo’. He recorded 24 hits in 53 at-bats and ended up with a batting average of .453.
He played in the Cuban winter league (1937-39) as well. In 1937-38, he played for ‘Habana’ and ended with a batting average of .344. In 1938-39, he played for ‘Santa Clara,’ averaging .356.
Josh Gibson made his presence felt in the Mexican league as well. He played for ‘Azules de Veracruz’ (1940-41). He scored 132 runs in 450 at-bats, had 177 hits, 44 home runs, and a batting average of .393.
From 1942 until the end of his career in 1946, he played for the ‘Homestead Grays’ again. He scored 163 runs in 621 at-bats and 35 home runs, with a batting average of .343. The team also won the ‘Negro World Series’ twice in 1943 and 1944.
Recent investigations keep revealing more of his achievements in the Negro baseball leagues. So far, recorded and verified data show that he scored more than 480 runs in 1957 at-bats and 113 home runs, with a batting average of more than .359, and a record-breaking .648 slugging percentage.
Gibson was inducted into the ‘Baseball Hall of Fame’ in 1972 for his achievements in the Negro baseball leagues.
Family & Personal Life
Josh Gibson married Helen Mason on March 7, 1929. On August 11, 1930, a pregnant Helen went into premature labor and gave birth to twins, son Josh Gibson Jr., and daughter, Helen. Tragically, his wife died while giving birth. His son also played baseball.
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 passed away on January 20, 1947, from a stroke, at just 35 years old. He was buried in an unmarked grave until 1975, when a small plaque was placed.
Facts About Josh Gibson
Josh Gibson was known for his incredible power at the plate, hitting numerous home runs throughout his career, including some legendary shots that are still talked about today.
Despite facing discrimination and segregation in baseball during his time, Gibson remained a positive and resilient figure, earning respect and admiration from his teammates and fans alike.
Off the field, Gibson was a talented musician and enjoyed playing the guitar in his spare time, showcasing his creative side beyond the baseball diamond.
Gibson was known for his sense of humor and quick wit, often lightening the mood in the clubhouse with his jokes and playful banter with teammates.
In addition to his baseball skills, Gibson was also a skilled fisherman and enjoyed spending time outdoors, showcasing a different side to his personality away from the spotlight of the baseball field.
