Ā Ranking the Catchers With a commanding presence behind the plate and a rocket arm, Johnny Bench was the best defensive catcher in history. But that wasnāt all. The powerful right-handed slugger won a pair of Most Valuable Player awards and led the Reds to six division titles, four pennants, and two championships. He hitā¦
Josh Gibson Positions:Ā Catcher, Outfielder and First Baseman Bats:Ā Right Ā ā¢Ā Ā Throws:Ā Right 6-1,Ā 220lbĀ (185cm,Ā 99kg) Born:Ā December 21,Ā 1911Ā in Buena Vista,Ā GA Died:Ā January 20,Ā 1947Ā inĀ Pittsburgh,Ā PA Buried:Ā Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, PA High School:Ā Allegheny HS (Pittsburgh, PA) Debut: July 31,Ā 1930,Ā for theĀ Homestead Grays Hall of Fame:Ā Inducted as Player in 1972. (Voted by Negro League Committee) ViewĀ Josh Gibsonās PageĀ at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos). Full Name:Ā Joshuaā¦
1979Ā āĀ Joe NiekroĀ becomes the first 21-game winner in club history with a 3-2 triumph over the Dodgers. An eighth-inning sacrifice fly byĀ Danny HeepĀ plates the game-winner. The Astros finish with a best-to-date 89 wins but fall 1-1/2 games short of Cincinnati for the N.L. West title.Ā
1974Ā āĀ James (Cool Papa) BellĀ is elected to theĀ Hall of FameĀ by theĀ Special Committee on the Negro Leagues. Known for his legendary footspeed, Bell joinsĀ Satchel Paige,Ā Josh Gibson,Ā Buck LeonardĀ andĀ Monte Irvin, asĀ Negro LeaguesĀ greats selected to the Hall.
Monte Irvin is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Committee on the Negro Leagues
Hall of Fame inducts 8 new members
Josh Gibson and Buck Leonard win election to the Hall of Fame through the Special Committee on the Negro Leagues
On June 5, 1959, Dick āDr. Strangegloveā Stuart hits the longest home run in the history of Forbes Field. The Pittsburgh Piratesā slugger hits a 457-foot blast over the center field wall, becoming the first player to clear the barrier in the ballparkās 50-year existence. Stuart blast came in the first inning against Chicago Cubsā¦
Ā Ā On January 20, 1947, Negro Leagues legend Josh Gibson, suffers a stroke at a movie theater, dying a few hours later at his motherās house at the age of 35. The stroke was believed to be caused by a brain tumor. He will be put to rest in an unmarked grave in Alleghenyā¦
In the first game atĀ Griffith Stadium,Ā Josh GibsonĀ hits a home run into temporary bleachers that shorten the left-field fence, helping theĀ Homestead GraysĀ beat theĀ New York CubansĀ 8-3, to sweep a season-endingĀ Negro LeagueĀ double-header. It is Gibsonās last career homer. After a few more games, the Grays close out their season, and Gibson will die from a reported stroke four months later.
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