Josh Gibson Biography

Josh Gibson was an African American Negro League baseball player who achieved an almost mythical status. Widely regarded as one of the greatest power hitters and catchers in the history of the sport, he has often been referred to as the “Black Babe Ruth.” During his era, racial segregation in the United States barred Black athletes from competing in Major League Baseball (MLB). Despite this injustice, Gibson built an unparalleled legacy in the Negro Leagues and also showcased his talent internationally, competing in both the Mexican and Cuban professional leagues. Gibson is estimated to have hit more than 800 home runs during his career, though official records remain incomplete due to inconsistent documentation of Negro League statistics. He starred for legendary teams such as the Homestead Grays, Pittsburgh Crawfords, Dragones de Ciudad Trujillo in the Dominican Republic, and Azules de Veracruz in Mexico. A dominant presence on the field, he was selected to the East-West All-Star Game 12 times and won the Negro World Series twice with the Homestead Grays. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to baseball, Josh Gibson was posthumously inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. Tragically, he died at just 35 years old in January 1947—mere months before Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier. Many historians note that Gibson, despite his legendary achievements, died a heartbroken man, denied the opportunity to showcase his talents in the Major Leagues.