Josh Gibson: The Black Babe Ruth

Who are some names you think of whenever you think of the finest home run hitters in baseball history? Willie Mays. Ken Griffey Jr. Mark Mcgwire. Hank Aaron. Babe Ruth. The fact is, possibly the best home run hitter to ever play baseball won't surface in any Major League Baseball record books. His name was Josh Gibson. You most likely are acquainted with his playing career if you have seen the made for T.V. film "Soul of the Game". If you have yet to see this movie, discontinue reading this article, sign onto Ebay and purchase it. Because of the MLB's "Gentleman's Agreement" that segregated baseball, Gibson wasn't authorized to participate in in the Majors. Rather , he took over the American Negro Leagues where legend says he hit between 750 and 1,000 home runs in the course of his playing career. As a matter of fact, some people at the time referred to Babe Ruth as 'The White Josh Gibson'. The Georgia native spent the bulk of his career with the Homestead Grays and the Pittsburgh Crawfords. You will find a variety of tall tales about Gibson, including the moment he hit a ball into the air at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh so high that it never landed...till the next day...in a different city. Honestly . Or it's possible you have heard the one about Gibson hitting the only ball to ever leave Yankee Stadium, more than 500 feet. Although stout in stature , he boasted Hercules-like strength, routinely hitting home runs for more than 400+ feet. He hit 84 home runs during the 1936 season. Unfortunately, he began to develop drinking and substance habits later in his career soon after losing his better half. The agony he experienced from not getting to to play in the Major Leagues didn't help. Gibson's feats and legend are generally met with naysayers who insist that Gibson was skilled , but Negro League talent was second-rate to the talent in the Major Leagues. He did get the opportunity to play against Major League pitchers during exhibitions from time to time and always held his own. He died in 1947 caused by a stroke, at only 36 years of age . Months later, Jackie Robinson would break the color barrier by being the first black baseball player to play in the Major Leagues. Any person interested in knowing more about the great Josh Gibson or other Negro League greats like Satchel Paige and Jackie Robinson can do so by visiting the Negro Leagues baseball museum in Kansas City, MO.

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