Josh Gibson – Biography
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Josh Gibson – Biography

    Josh Gibson Positions: Catcher, Outfielder and First BasemanBats: Right  •  Throws: Right6-1, 220lb (185cm, 99kg)Born: December 21, 1911 in Buena Vista, GADied: January 20, 1947 in Pittsburgh, PABuried: Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, PAHigh School: Allegheny HS (Pittsburgh, PA)Debut: July 31, 1930, for the Homestead GraysHall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1972. (Voted by Negro League Committee)View Josh Gibson’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).Full Name: Joshua GibsonView Player Info from the B-R BullpenView Player Bio from the SABR…

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Joe Niekro becomes the first 21-game winner in club history with a 3-2 triumph over the Dodgers. An eighth-inning sacrifice fly by Danny Heep 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. 

1979 – Joe Niekro becomes the first 21-game winner in club history with a 3-2 triumph over the Dodgers. An eighth-inning sacrifice fly by Danny Heep 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. 

James (Cool Papa) Bell is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Committee on the Negro Leagues
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James (Cool Papa) Bell is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Committee on the Negro Leagues

1974 – James (Cool Papa) Bell is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Committee on the Negro Leagues. Known for his legendary footspeed, Bell joins Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Buck Leonard and Monte Irvin, as Negro Leagues greats selected to the Hall.

Dick Stuart becomes first player to clear Centerfield barrier in Forbes Field 50 years

Dick Stuart becomes first player to clear Centerfield barrier in Forbes Field 50 years

  On June 5, 1959, Dick “Dr. Strangeglove” Stuart hits the longest home run in the history of Forbes Field. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ slugger hits a 457-foot blast over the center field wall, becoming the first player to clear the barrier in the ballpark’s 50-year existence. Stuart blast came in the first inning against Chicago…

Josh Gibson hits a home run into temporary bleachers that shorten the left-field fenceIt is Gibson’s last career homer.

In the first game at Griffith Stadium, Josh Gibson hits a home run into temporary bleachers that shorten the left-field fence, helping the Homestead Grays beat the New York Cubans 8-3, to sweep a season-ending Negro League double-header. It is Gibson’s 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.