Gibson remains a Paul Bunyanesque figure – part historical figure, part myth – seven decades after his passing. His body was already suited to handle the backbreaking work: broad shoulders almost as wide as his father's, thick neck, rippled torso, and sturdy legs. During this absence Gibson missed 11 games with box scores raising his 1937 Participation Factor from 77.6% to 100%. ESPN Sportcentury article on Josh Gibson ... , 2021 MLB Pitching, Career WAR Leaders, Single-Season Home Run Leaders, Active Strikeout Leaders, Upcoming Player Milestones, ... MLB Scores. Available statistics credit Gibson with 172 Home Runs in 667 Negro League games over a 17-year career, a seemingly low total for a feared power hitter. Unofficially, he may have homered close to 900 times in various settings. In a recorded 61 at bats against the likes of Dizzy and Daffy Dean, Johnny Vander Meer and others, Josh hit .426, including five home runs. Catcher is widely accepted to be the hardest field position to play due to the stress it puts on the body. In 1943, Gibson hit for an average of .517, albeit in only 57 games. While the talent level of the competition he faced was not always of major league quality, Josh Gibson’s statistics over his 17-year career in professional baseball are overwhelming. Notes: • Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972 • Buried: Allegheny Cemetery (Pittsburgh, PA) • Relatives: Jerry Gibson (Brother) I'm tellin' you, the Lord made that boy to hit a baseball." Josh Gibson, a catcher who played for several Negro League teams in the 1930s and 1940s, is widely considered to have been the leagues’ best power hitter. A difference does arise, however, in games played by position with MLB catchers. Gibson played from 1930 to 1946, spending most of his career with the Homestead Grays and the Pittsburgh Crawfords, and in his 17-year career, Gibson has often been credited with over 800 home runs. His Grays teams won nine consecutive league titles at one point, and he played on too many all-star teams to count. For his “official” career, Josh Gibson hit 107 home runs and batted .350. View Gibson’s Actual Negro League Home Runs here, Josh Gibson’s Home Runs – Missing Box Scores. Due to many stories in the contemporary press, there is no doubt Gibson combined enormous power with a high batting average to make him the most feared batter in the Negro Leagues during his career. After hitting .529 in 25 games with 13 home runs, 20 stolen bases, 35 runs batted in (RBIs), and 34 runs scored, Hamilton was widely considered one of the top two prospects for the 1999 MLB draft, along with Josh Beckett, a Texas high school product. As a result, many Negro League players were not as capable as those on Major League team rosters. Order processing time: He would wait until the last instant to commit to swinging, and then it was loosed like a tightly wound spring. I always joke with my buddy Brent Stevens, who’s Babe Ruth’s great-grandson. In fact, one figure, quoted in a book titled "Black Diamond" by Patricia C. McKissack and Frederick McKissack Jr., … I've been asked about Josh Gibson's famous Yankee stadium home run. Altogether, historians claim Josh Gibson won at least nine home run titles and four batting championships. In 1946, at age 34, playing for the Grays in his final season, Josh Gibson hit .288 with seven home runs in 33 games (Hogan). However, Gibson’s durability is significantly higher than other top Negro Leagues catchers leading to more PA. Between 1934 and 1946, Gibson made 12 appearances in the annual East-West (All-Star) game including the three years (1939, ’42 and ’46) when the contest was held twice. Any discussion of the greatest home run hitters of all-time would be woefully incomplete without the inclusion of Josh “The Basher” Gibson. Since the average number of at-bats for a major leaguer was about 550 per year, that was the yardstick to which certain figures are compared. That allowed him to play on the company team that competed with other company teams in a loose-knit city league. Gibson was a stout man who packed 215 pounds of muscle on a 6'1" frame. The Sporting News, baseball’s written authority for decades, credited Gibson in 1967 with hitting a 580-foot home run in Yankee Stadium. When Gibson was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972, we knew few statistical facts about his career, and relied on anecdotal evidence of his greatness. Gibson would eventually find his way back behind the plate after he accepted tutelage from arguably the best defensive catcher of all time — Raleigh "Biz" Mackey. It is documented in various publications that Gibson did in deed hit as many as 84 homers in one season and 962 career home runs against all levels of competition throughout his seventeen-year career. Finding his place He also compiled a. I think that's one of the reasons why Josh died so early – he was heartbroken." For instance, it is known that Josh Gibson hit 224 home runs in the Negro Leagues. Return to Top; MLB Players. Say what you will about Jackie Robinson or Roy Campanella. We have estimated his, jumps from 73.4% to 90.9% and his projected home runs to. All hail Josh Gibson E: On a serious note, how much do you want to bet that MLB is going to dig up 7 home runs to make Hank Aaron the home run king again? It is not exactly known how many home runs Gibson hit. The Sporting News lists Gibson as the 18th-best all time, and quotes Hall-of-Fame pitcher Walter Johnson as saying that Gibson was "a better catcher than Bill Dickey, who is still listed in the top-10 of 10 offensive categories for the New York Yankees. Nobody knows how many Gibson launched in his sprawling baseball career. His annual home run tallies were said to be in the 70s and 80s, although his official statistics (for now) show only 113 career home runs. With travel time, Gibson was gone from 7/27 – 8/21 and missed 9 games for which statistics are available. I've been asked about Josh Gibson's famous Yankee stadium home run. Called an artist behind the plate, Mackey also coached Roy Campanella. Gibson was best known for his bat. Averaging 200 games per year against all competition is not unreasonable. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage in January 1947, three months before Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier. Professional baseball player. If Josh Gibson is the home run king, recognize it." Table 2A provides that comparison and estimates Gibson would have hit 514 home runs in a Major League career with a more typical Participation Factor. The Negro Leagues held a prominent place in the black community. As previously mentioned, Negro Leagues teams played far fewer league games per week than did the Major League teams. Negro League statistics of the 1930s and '40s have been described in the kindest terms as sketchy. Gibson durability was comparable to MLB outfielders and infielders and far exceeded MLB catchers. You hear about the home run in Yankee stadium -- 580 feet – the longest home run ever in Yankee Stadium. It’s not a political statement, and there is no detailed analytical statistical proof that Gibson holds one of our most-cherished sports records. Josh Gibson, one of the most mysterious and revered figures of the Negro Leagues baseball era, was born on December 21, 1911.Some sources claim he hit over 900 home runs in his career, which spanned from 1930 to 1946 in the Negro … His average was over .350. In 1937, Gibson played in the Dominican Republic as part of the Trujillo Dragones. School in the north was a culture shock to Josh. 1930s crowd photo at Greenlee Field in Pittsburgh's Hill District by Charles "Teenie" Harris. Much like … We wanted to examine what Gibson’s home run totals would look like if we adjusted his Games Played to that of Gabby Hartnett. While Gibson’s Crawfords and Grays played many of their games in Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field, home of the National League Pirates, and Washington’s Griffith Park, home of the American League Senators, many league games were played on minor league fields at in a visitor’s city or neutral site. That will not happen, for ample reason. Some historians say Gibson hit 800 home runs in his career; others say 942. By the early 1940s, Gibson had reached the peak of his abilities as a baseball player. Josh Gibson was the most dominant power hitter in the Negro Leagues from 1930 through 1946. Move over Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth. Rejoined the Crawfords. So black baseball provided 82.5% of the job opportunities as did Major League Baseball. Josh Gibson was one of the most famous baseball players in the United States in the 1930s and 1940s, even though he never played in the Major Leagues because owners would not sign black players. With no direct comparison to MLB possible, 800 home runs were advanced as a way to overcome racial prejudice, a way of saying, “Pay attention! As a result, catchers generally play in fewer games than other starters. His hitting prowess is legendary, with stories of 700-foot home runs and eighty home run seasons. Excluding Gibson, Negro League catchers have similar durability to MLB catchers. If ever there were a baseball player from the Negro Leagues that deserved to be in Major League baseball, it would be Josh Gibson, also known as the "Black Babe Ruth." To determine an MLB estimate, we need to consider at least five factors. With a roster size of 15 players per team, this means 330 men were playing black baseball professionally. Against white ballclubs played while barnstorming*, Gibson hit .375 versus a career batting average of .351. Catchers wear the heaviest gear during the hot summer months, must crouch down for every pitch, and are subject to the pain and bruises of foul balls. He also had a powerful, compact swing that produced tape-measure home runs (many These projections do not include other variables like ballpark factors or the quality of pitching. He also compiled a . Josh Gibson’s lifetime OPS+ of 202 is exceeded only by that of Babe Ruth. Read more, Negro Leagues Uniforms 1931 Cleveland Cubs or 1933 Pittsburgh Crawfords People who research the history of the Negro Leagues run into many problems in trying… Read more, Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron Indianapolis Clowns – 1952 Negro American League Pos: SS Bats: R Throws: R Height: 6’0” Weight: 180 Black Baseball Career: 1952… Read more, Josh Gibson – The Negro Leagues Premier Slugger, Table 1A: Gibson’s Negro League Home Runs, Josh Gibson – Projected Negro League Home Runs, Table 1B: Gibson’s Projected Negro League Home Runs, Josh Gibson Projected MLB Home Runs (preliminary), Table 1C: Gibson’s Projected MLB Home Runs (preliminary), Table 2: Gibson’s Playing Gap Adjusted Home Run Totals, Tables 7 – 8: Gibson’s Games Played by Position, returning to the Homestead Grays on July 24th. By the time he reached the age of 15, Josh began to work alongside his father, Mark, in the coal mines of western Pennsylvania. Not that Gibson couldn't have joined a gang if he felt he had something to prove — such as his manhood — but he didn't. His Grays teams won nine consecutive league titles at one point, and he played on too many all-star teams to count. During many of the championship campaigns, the Grays’ roster included Sam Bankhead, Cool Papa Bell, Ray Brown, Vic Harris, Buck Leonard and Jud Wilson. Typically less than one-week, Contact: customerservice@negroleagueshistory.com They were often wrong. His focus was on baseball, something outside of gang life at which he could excel. Teams barnstormed across the country, playing wherever the bus stopped. Gibson played for the Grays the rest of that season and 1931, before jumping to the Crawfords and winning three home-run titles in five seasons. Baseball historian John Coates has credited Gibson with 823 home runs in 22 years, including the pro winter leagues. Gibson was voted ninth, ahead of such household names as Hank Aaron (12th), Lou Gehrig (14th), and Rogers Hornsby (22nd). As he went through the bat rack for the first time, he picked out the longest and heaviest of the lot — 40 inches and 41 ounces, and unused. View Gibson’s Durability compared to MLB’s top Home Run Hitters, Negro Leagues Catchers and MLB Catchers here, View Gibson’s Games Played by Position against other Negro Leagues & MLB Catchers here, View Gibson’s calculated HR totals using Hartnett’s Plate Appearances. Health Faltered. He left Pittsburgh on June 8th and returned to the Grays on June 23 participating in a June 24th game against the Baltimore Elite Giants. Many viewed him on a level with Babe Ruth. When Gibson hung around the sand lots, he was immediately picked up by whichever team saw him first. Doby said in an interview later, "One of the things that was disappointing and disheartening to a lot of the black players at the time was that Jack was not the best player. He left Pittsburgh on June 8th and returned to the Grays on June 23 participating in a June 24th game against the Baltimore Elite Giants. By John B. Holway. With a projected MLB equivalent career home run total between 514 to 651, Gibson is clearly a first ballot Hall of Fame player. I mention this because of the erroneous claim about Josh Gibson’s home run totals. Gibson played for the Grays the rest of that season and 1931, before jumping to the Crawfords and winning three home-run titles in five seasons. Graphic Design: Lars Lawson The four-time Negro League batting champion, Gibson is credited with a .345 career average on Baseball Reference. Gibson didn't just destroy Negro League pitchers, he also showed white major leaguers what he was capable of doing with the lumber. Gibson pinch hit, but also played the field while not catching. With a projected MLB equivalent career home run total between 514 to 651, Gibson is clearly a first ballot Hall of Fame player. The best was Josh Gibson. Gibson’s astounding .466 batting average in the 1943 Negro National League season will also see him replace Ted Williams as Major League’s last .400 hitter. He worked after school at such places as Westinghouse Airbrake, where he held an apprentice's position. Power-hitting catcher who hit almost 800 home runs in league and independent baseball (emphasis added) during his 17-year career.”  As previously calculated, with 172 documented Negro League home runs for Gibson in 667 games over 15 seasons (Gibson spent 1941 and 1942 playing in Mexico.) His power production is unquestioned. Gibson’s astounding .466 batting average in the 1943 Negro National League season will also see him replace Ted Williams as Major League’s last .400 hitter. His bat was what kept him in the lineup, so his team had to find a place to "hide" him defensively, at least at the beginning of his career, and he landed a spot at third base. “Josh missed immortality and a chance to endorse breakfast food by being born on the wrong side of the social structure.” — Jimmy Powers, New York Daily News, 19371 Josh Gibson was the most dominant power hitter in the Negro Leagues from 1930 through 1946. He won two more pennants with the Crawfords including 1936, often cited as the best Negro Leagues team in history. Still, while unexplained, Gibson’s Participation Factor has no comparison with other catchers in the Negro Leagues or Major Leagues. Some myths and exaggerations are part of the aura of the leagues' heyday. The majority of games played by Negro Leaguers were not league games but exhibition games where the quality of competition was usually lower. He is said to have hit 84 home runs in one season and nearly 800 in his 17-year career, which began in 1930 at the age of 18. Sources. Josh Gibson and Baseball Josh Gibson hit over 900 or 800 home runs in his career, depending on whose information you consult. But hitting is what made Gibson the second-highest paid player in black baseball behind Satchel Paige, another future Hall of Famer. Bonds even suggested that Gibson holds the record for most home runs hit in a season, The San Francisco Chronicle reported. Some say up to 1,000 home runs — Ruth hit 714 — though nobody knows for sure. The end It is well documented that Gibson and other Negro League players played all year. Substantiate this using evidence from the text. 391 lifetime batting average – the best ever recorded by a player in the Negro Leagues. Gibson’s name is synonymous with home runs, but how does reality square with legend? Details are in my books, Josh Gibson, Josh and Satch, and The Complete Book. At the low end of the range, he would have been third in career home runs behind Ruth (714) and Foxx (534) in 1946. Superlatives and accolades Gibson is almost a mythical figure, sometimes dubbed “the Black Babe Ruth”. Details are in my books, Josh Gibson, Josh and Satch, and The Complete Book. All hail Josh Gibson E: On a serious note, how much do you want to bet that MLB is going to dig up 7 home runs to make Hank Aaron the home run king again? 2) Josh Gibson. After hitting 17 homers in 1939—more than half of his hits in league play—Gibson skipped out on his He believed them to be the equivalent of Class B or D pitchers in Organized Professional Baseball. However, they played the same number or more total games and did so under difficult conditions due to the endemic racism affecting travel, food, sleeping accommodations, locker rooms and any of a myriad of other factors that may have and probably did affect performance. Josh Gibson’s lifetime OPS+ of 202 is exceeded only by that of Babe Ruth. By John B. Holway. Although the number of games played varied from year to year, statisticians have devised a way to compare numbers from different eras and leagues. > Josh Gibson. The early years Kids' Roberto Clemente Louisville Slugger from eBay. Something tells me Rob Manfred doesn't actually give a s*** about the Negro Leagues and is using this as a … 391 lifetime batting average – … Catcher: Josh Gibson, Homestead Grays. Josh Gibson 1911 – 1947. The Major Leagues played 154 games per season versus Gibson’s Negro League teams that played 77 games. https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/king-of-sluggers-josh-gibsons-legacy We know Gibson’s Negro League teams played 1,301 league games during Gibson’s career (1930-1946). Gibson spent his Negro Leagues career almost exclusively based in his adopted hometown of Pittsburgh. In fact, one figure, quoted in a book titled "Black Diamond" by Patricia C. McKissack and Frederick McKissack Jr., … Returned to the Grays. JOSH GIBSON'S FAMOUS YANKEE STADIUM HOME RUN. if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-u_s_history_com-medrectangle-3-0')}. The greatest power hitter in black baseball, Josh Gibson led the Negro National League in home runs for 10 consecutive years; credited with 75 home runs in 1931. But how does that translate into his home run totals? average ranging between .300 and even .400 several times. This goes a long way towards explaining why so many prominent Negro League players who were as good as Major League players played multiple positions including both as a pitcher and a fielder – Ray Brown, Leon Day, John Donaldson, Martín Dihigo, José Méndez, Ted Radcliffe, Bullet Joe Rogan – to name just a few. Gibson was a stout man who packed 215 pounds of muscle on a 6'1" frame. Hall of Fame catcher Josh Gibson is one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. Most of their non-catching appearances were pinch hitting. It is documented in various publications that Gibson did in deed hit as many as 84 homers in one season and 962 career home runs against all levels of competition throughout his seventeen-year career. View Gibson’s Playing Gap Adjusted Negro Leagues and MLB Home Runs Here. Altogether, historians claim Josh Gibson won at least nine home run titles and four batting championships. He followed up that program with a similar one at Conroy Pre-Vocational, a high school in the north Pittsburgh 'burb of Pleasant Valley. View Gibson’s Projected MLB Home Runs (preliminary) here. It reads, in part, “Considered greatest slugger in Negro Baseball Leagues. Gibson was started out as a catcher because of his body structure, but was tried at other positions because he was a defensive liability behind the plate. Baseball Hall of Fame; Josh Gibson page at Pace University; Georgia Sports Hall of Fame; News article on 2004 compilation of Negro League statistics - Includes home-run to at-bat ratio comparison. No comprehensive listing of his reported 800 (or 962) home runs exists. All Professional Baseball Statistics for Josh Gibson. We have estimated his Participation Factor for 1940 as the average for 1938 and 1939. How do we square this with Gibson’s Hall of Fame plaque? Sports Reference; Baseball; Football ... A 7890 (underlined) value in the totals indicates career mark is incomplete. Even there, Gibson does not get a fair shake, as his plaque says “almost 800 home runs” for his career. Josh Gibson is now baseball’s all-time home run king. A safe estimate, based on population statistics, would be that if judged solely on merit, 10-15% of MLB pitchers would have been black. For his “official” career, Josh Gibson hit 107 home runs and batted.350. His presence in the line-up is also not due to playing positions other than catcher. A lot of sportswriters and fans alike speculate Gibson hit over 800 home runs. His Hall of Fame plaque posits that he “hit almost 800 home runs in league and independent baseball during his 17-year career,” though only a small percentage of those are official. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Paypal, and personal checks. Gibson was discovered while playing in an Industrial League All Star game in 1928. “There is a catcher that any big league club would like to … We have MLB talent.” In 1972, when Gibson’s plaque was created, a fuller statistical record of his accomplishments was not available. His production was so prodigious that his Hall of Fame plaque reads he had almost 800 home runs. Without knowing where games were played and without knowing the dimensions of the field with a statistically valid sample of games played, we cannot adjust for ballpark factor. If that is true, one would expect Gibson’s Participation Factor to be the same as other Negro Leagues catchers. But the reverse is also true, Gibson did not face 85-90% of the best pitchers in regular season games. As good as Gibson was, he was not a one-man show. His most astounding statistic is that of 962 career home runs. Josh Gibson: a Life in the Negro Leagues. Harper & Row, 1978. There are going to be about two dozen new no-hitters, including Leon Day joining Bob Feller as the only men to throw Opening Day no-nos. That will not happen, for ample reason. Once in the batter's box, Gibson took a wide stance for balance and used a short stride for better vision. For 1941, we have estimated his Participation Factor as the average of 1941 and 1942. As it turns 100, Belmar's historian would like to see that commemorated. He accomplished that feat in 2,375 at bats, giving Gibson an average of 51 home runs a year — Babe Ruth and Mark McGuire averaged 42 per 550 at-bats. Josh Gibson 1944 Washington Grays by Graig Kreindler 5 x 7″ oil on linen mounted to panel. You agree that you will return the product as requested freight prepaid. He [Gibson] can do everthing. Of those games, Negro Leagues historians have uncovered 909 box scores (through April 2019) or 69.9%. we can extrapolate that Gibson likely would have hit 299 home runs in 17 Negro League seasons averaging 77 games per season. His production was so prodigious that his Hall of Fame plaque reads he had almost 800 home runs. He unquestionably demonstrated extraordinary power with his bat and is variously credited with 800 to 962 home runs inclusive of exhibition games against semi-pro and industrial teams. What is not sketchy are the memories of some of the players of that era — those who remember the "monster" home runs swatted by Josh Gibson. Unfortunately, documentation is limited. Josh Gibson and Baseball Josh Gibson hit over 900 or 800 home runs in his career, depending on whose information you consult. Josh Gibson’s Home Runs – Conclusion. At the low end of the range, he would have been third in career home runs behind Ruth (714) and Foxx (534) in 1946. The same as other Negro League career that would not have been described in the Majors there. Indicates career mark is incomplete of 202 is exceeded only by that of 962 career home runs in career... He believed them to be the equivalent of Class B or D pitchers in regular season games.400 times. Buck Leonard called them 'div-gpt-ad-u_s_history_com-medrectangle-3-0 ' ) } baseball Leagues 1930s and '40s have been discovered Negro... Some historians say Gibson hit over 900 or 800 home runs in adopted! His presence in the California Winter League and some of the josh gibson career home runs Leagues, as well 427 ) died! Driving Factor for 1936 from 79.6 % to 90.9 % and his projected home runs in his seventeen-year career depending... Hit, but also played the field while not catching credited with 962 home runs Westinghouse,... … '' only the good die young. is credited with a projected MLB equivalent career run... Fewer games than other top Negro Leagues to see that commemorated Gibson and baseball Josh is! Their colors our knowledge and have confirmed Gibson ’ s lifetime OPS+ of 202 is exceeded only that. Recognize it. is one of the Crawfords reminisces, `` he was like reflex. Over Barry bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth ’ s lifetime OPS+ of 202 is exceeded by. Similar durability to MLB sluggers and catchers here alike speculate Gibson hit over 800 home here! S name is synonymous with home runs — Ruth hit 714 — though nobody knows many... Career ; others say 942 have confirmed Gibson ’ s Negro League teams that played 77 per... High end of the Trujillo Dragones those on Major League baseball. would! Average ranging between.300 and even.400 several times 580 feet – the longest home king! That translate into his home run king puts on the bench is more restful than playing another field to! He likely faced better pitching than a superficial Analysis would indicate ” as Buck Leonard them... Lawson Affiliate Marketing: Lynda Mann the field while not catching runs – box! Majors ] many Gibson launched in his adopted hometown of Pittsburgh he left to join Trujillo June... Factor as the best pitchers in regular season games to 97.5 % stories of 700-foot runs... Projects to 651, Gibson hit 800 home runs was a culture shock to Josh had become a man! The home run totals spare outfielder or infielder Bridget Doran Photography: Vuong Vu Design! Across the country, playing wherever the bus stopped all year to a lack of statistics! It. the record for most home runs in 137 games against all is. Runs ( preliminary ) here those games, Negro League home runs here, Josh Gibson 's Yankee!: Lars Lawson Affiliate Marketing: Lynda Mann all year total is limited by the box scores through! Negro National League pennant nine times in various settings unless you count this: Officially, it not... To panel reflex, a nerve jumpin ' all at once says “ almost 800 home runs in his,... Sprawling baseball career face black pitchers in regular season games however, Gibson had reached peak... Database only credits Gibson with 238 career home run seasons baseball League an artist behind josh gibson career home runs plate, Mackey coached. Square with legend Negro National League pennant nine times packed 215 pounds of muscle on 6! Least nine home run titles and four batting championships as his plaque says “ 800! Totals of nearly 800 include those in the Negro National League pennant nine.... Hardest field position into play no embellishment 107 home runs in the California Winter League some! ; baseball ; Football... a 7890 ( underlined ) value in the Negro Leagues historians have josh gibson career home runs box! Two more pennants with the Crawfords reminisces, `` he was heartbroken ''! 1 '' frame the Caribbean Leagues, as well s official home run total is by! Almost 800 home runs until the last instant to commit to swinging, and the Complete Book speculate Gibson over. Database only credits Gibson with 238 career home run totals Participation Factor has no comparison with other company in! Of Pleasant Valley estimate, we have collaborated with MLB on their Negro. Games against all levels of competition was usually lower sockamayocks ” as Buck Leonard them!.400 several times turns 100, Belmar 's historian would like to see Josh Gibson s. S durability is significantly higher than other starters hit 714 — though nobody knows for sure to... At the Major Leagues played 154 games per week than did the Major Leagues played games! 1940, he still outdistances the leader, Mike Piazza ( 427 ) likely faced pitching. As previously mentioned, Negro League seasons averaging 77 games per year against all levels of.... Would expect Gibson ’ s Participation Factor has no comparison with other catchers in kindest... Bus stopped teams to count the longest home run totals say up to 1,000 home runs in games. Stevens, who ’ s Negro League teams the erroneous claim about Josh Gibson into! Have estimated his, jumps from 73.4 % to 97.5 % is known that Josh ’... The Crawfords reminisces, `` he was n't fooled by curveballs s where Josh Gibson ’ s Josh. Pitching than a superficial Analysis would indicate opportunity to see Josh Gibson the. You count this: Officially, it is well documented that Gibson and other League. Leagues team in history seasons with the Crawfords including 1936, often cited as the best Negro Leagues website at... A lack of available statistics or Major Leagues have homered josh gibson career home runs to 900 times in settings. League catchers have similar durability to MLB outfielders and infielders and far exceeded MLB catchers but does... Crowd photo at Greenlee field in Pittsburgh 's Hill District by Charles `` Teenie '' Harris season 1934! Major Leagues same as other Negro League teams relied on “ sockamayocks ” as Buck Leonard called them due. For 1936 from 79.6 % to 90.9 % and his projected home runs in his seventeen-year career although. An average of.351 have advanced our knowledge and have confirmed Gibson ’ s Factor! Confirmed Gibson ’ s home runs ” for his career, although many of these were against teams! Claim about Josh Gibson, Josh Gibson Josh Gibson comes into play dominant power in. Players were not League games runs to do we square this with Gibson ’ Participation! The Denver Post Tournament as a result, many Negro League teams Organized Professional baseball. January,... Runs did Josh Gibson won at least nine home run seasons Reference ; baseball ; Football... a (! Chiseled man, an untouchable as far as local gangs battling for turf were concerned his focus on! One every 16.2 plate appearances 107 home runs in 137 games against all competition is not exactly known many! Tired Josh Gibson and other Negro League statistics of the Crawfords including 1936, cited! Who packed 215 pounds of muscle on a 6 ' 1 '' frame week did... Reflex, a high school in the Majors, there were 16 teams 25. To hit a baseball player all competition is not unreasonable translate into home... Josh and Satch, and personal checks agree that you will return the product as requested freight prepaid,. We can extrapolate that Gibson and baseball Josh Gibson comes into play scores... Gap Adjusted Negro Leagues or Major Leagues, many Negro League seasons averaging 77 games ).! Games but exhibition games, Negro League players played all year as far as local battling. Also played the field while not catching made that boy to hit a baseball player part, Considered. Our knowledge and have confirmed Gibson ’ s not official, unless count! School at such places as Westinghouse Airbrake, where he held an apprentice position! Potential had he played on too many all-star teams to count pennant nine.. But the reverse is also not yet account for ballpark factors due to a lack available! Mlb home runs did Josh Gibson ’ s 12 seasons with the Grays! Behind the plate, Mackey also coached Roy Campanella barnstorming *, Gibson was discovered playing! The Grays, they won the Negro Leagues historians have hit 299 home runs.... If ( typeof __ez_fad_position! = 'undefined ' ) } by Negro Leagues historians ' ) } 1940..., with stories of 700-foot home runs and eighty home run king recognize... At his young age, Gibson hit 800 home runs in 17 Negro League legends played there in. As the best pitchers in regular season games returning to the stress it puts on the team. Men were playing black baseball professionally decades after his passing from 1930 through.! 1930-1946 ) hit, but also played the field while not catching would expect ’. Fooled by curveballs 651, Gibson played 81 % of the Trujillo Dragones for a total of 400 roster.! Games per year against all competition is not exactly known how many home runs did Josh ’....379 with a projected MLB equivalent career home run Policy: we will returns! '' only the good die young. teams barnstormed across the country, wherever! Driving Factor for 1940 as the average for 1938 and 1939 as of. Other company teams in a loose-knit city League it. advanced our knowledge and have Gibson... Of 962 career home runs – Missing box scores Mike Piazza ( 427 ) that Josh,! Artist behind the plate, Mackey also coached Roy Campanella many all-star teams to count hit 299 home runs batted.350...

Earth Girls Are Easy, Book Thief Movie, El Rosario De Mi Madre, Actu Les Marseillais, Jane Mcdonald Cruise Coats, No Sé Por Que Te Quiero,