Josh Gibson was a catcher in the American Negro Leagues. Josh played for the Homestead Grays from 1930 to 1931. He moved to the Pittsburgh Crawfords in 1932 and stayed until 1936. After the Crawfords he went back to the Grays for the 1937-1939 seasons. He is known for being one of the best catchers and power hitters in baseball history. Gibson was selected to the Hall of Fame in 1972. Gibson was also known as the “black Babe Ruth”.

Gibson was unable to play in the major leagues because they had a unwritten “gentleman’s policy” that didn’t allow non-whites to play during his career and lifetime.  In 1933 he put up an amazing season, hitting .467 with 55 home runs in 137 games. His lifetime batting average .350, with some sources putting it as high as .384, the best in Negro League history. He won nine homerun titles and four batting championships.

Josh Gibson passed away from a stroke in 1947 at 35 years of age in Pittsburgh. He died just three months before Jackie Robinson became the first Negro player to play in the Major Leagues. He is known as one of the greatest catchers in baseball history.

“Despite the fact that statistical validation continues to prove difficult for Negro League players, the lack of verifiable figures has led to various amusing "tall tales" about immortals such as Gibson. A good example: In the last of the ninth at Pittsburgh, down a run, with a runner on base and two outs, Gibson hits one high and deep, so far into the twilight sky that it disappears from sight, apparently winning the game. The next day, the same two teams are playing again, now in Washington. Just as the teams have positioned themselves on the field, a ball comes falling out of the sky and a Washington outfielder grabs it. The umpire yells to Gibson, "You're out! In Pittsburgh, yesterday!"” -Wikipedia