Josh Gibson Dies 1947
By Kelly Scalletta
This happened 20 years before I was born. Being born in 1967 that would put 20 years at 1947, bringing to mind the obvious Jackie Robinson related story. I've decided to do the death of Josh Gibson instead. The other reason being that Gibson's death gives a unique opportunity to show a snapshot in time. Just three months later Robinson would break the color barrier and the world would change. Gibson's death was the last major story in Negro League Baseball before integration began. I have endeavored to, as much as possible, imitate the tone, vernacular, writing style and thought processes of the day, writing a "present day obituary" rather than a historical bio. This means two things, first, not all the stats are going to be "accurate" because I have used the stats that were available on the day of his death. There have been many studies of Negro League Baseball since then, and there are many different versions of what his actual stats were, but those studies were not yet available. Second, not all of the views in this piece are actually my true feeling, they are the views of a hypothetical white, pre-integration journalist. Please read it as such. I have however become considerably inspired to write another piece on the Negro Leagues, having read a considerable amount in preparation for this entry and will write another entry shortly hereafter which reflects my own thoughts and views. I will also explain some things that I noticed and duplicated in this piece that may offer insight into the age.
Jan 21, 1947
Negro League Baseball lost its greatest hitter yesterday with the passing of Josh Gibson. Gibson, 35, was at a movie theater on Saturday when he collapsed at which time he was taken to his mother's home. There, he remained in a coma for two days before passing away. Gibson was widely viewed as the best hitter in the history of the Negro Leagues and at more than one point was rumored to have nearly became the Major Leagues' first negro player.
Gibson's career was without question, sensational. He is reputed to have hit as many as 71 home runs in a single season on at least one occasion. He often hit over .400 and on two occasions purportedly exceeded an average of .500 for an entire season, although it should be stated that this came against Negro League and semi pro pitching. He led the Negro Leagues in home runs for ten consecutive seasons. It has even been reported that he once hit a home run clear out of Yankee Stadium, a 700 foot shot! The receiver for the Homestead Grays was also reputed to have a rifle arm, often picking off runners on both first and second base.
It was this combination of offensive and defensive prowess that once led Pittsburgh Pirate owner Bill Benswanger to consider buying out his Grays contract in 1939 and bring him on board the white Pirates. Two years later Washington Senators owner, Clark Griffith is rumored to have entertained bringing the negro slugger on board. In both cases it appears the Negro Leagues intervened determining that it would be "death to the league" to lose their brightest star.
While the exact nature of the illness which led to his demise is not being disclosed it is broadly known that Gibson had a brain tumor five years which he refused to have operated on for fear of being left a "vegetable." Since then Gibson has undergone something of a personality change. The formerly jovial slugger has grown increasingly volatile and given to drinking. On occasions he has been known to publicly strip naked, both on an off the field. He has also roomed alone as his teammates have fear of his violent temper. It is probable that his tumor is responsible for both the personality changes and his early death.
Gibson's professional career began with a sandlot team he founded, the Pittsburgh Crawfords. Rumor has it that having developed quite a reputation he was at a Grays game when starting catcher Buck Gibson was injured and there was a need to press someone into service. Grays owner Cumberland Posey upon hearing that Gibson was at the game signed him to a contract, and Gibson donned Ewing's uniform and finished out the game. Gibson remained a Gray for the remainder of his life. At times he also played in Mexico and Puerto Rico, claiming the MVP of both leagues.
Gibson is survived by his mother, Mrs. Nancy Gibson, his brother Jerry, his children, twins Joshua Jr. and Helen, and his estranged wife.
Links
For reasons of the appearance of "authenticity" I have not enclosed links, however the statistical and biographical information above can be found in the links below.
Google Newspapers
Jrank.org
Time Magazine
The image at the top of the page is found here, Image Source
