Josh Gibson – Biography
Josh Gibson Positions: Catcher, Outfielder and First Baseman Bats: Right • Throws: Right 6-1, 220lb (185cm, 99kg) Born: December 21, 1911 in Buena Vista, GA Died: January 20, 1947 in Pittsburgh, PA Buried: Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, PA High School: Allegheny HS (Pittsburgh, PA) Debut: July 31, 1930, for the Homestead Grays Hall 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…
Wall Street Journal quotes players Monte Irvin, Sal Yvars and Al Gettel, three former members of the 1951 New York Giants, as admitting that they stole catchers’ signs at the Polo Grounds to help the club overtake the 13 1/2-game lead of the Brooklyn Dodgers and win the National League pennant
2001 – A story in The Wall Street Journal quotes players Monte Irvin, Sal Yvars and Al Gettel, three former members of the 1951 New York Giants, as admitting that they stole catchers’ signs at the Polo Grounds to help the club overtake the 13 1/2-game lead of the Brooklyn Dodgers and win the National League pennant. Except for Yvars, all the participants will deny using the system during the three-game playoff with the Dodgers. According to the report, Bobby Thomson, whose three-run, ninth-inning home run in Game Three of the playoff won the pennant for the Giants, did not, however, steal a sign before hitting his historic home run.
Detroit Tigers win their major league record 17th consecutive game on the road
On May 24, 1984, at Anaheim Stadium the Detroit Tigers win their major league record 17th consecutive game on the road, defeating the Angels, 5-1 behind Jack Morris four-hit complete game, who improves to 9-1. The victory runs Detroit’s record to 35-5, the best 40-game start in baseball history. Morris allows 4 hits in 9…
Legendary broadcaster Russ Hodges dies from a heart attack in Mill Valley, California
1971 – Legendary broadcaster Russ Hodges dies from a heart attack in Mill Valley, California, at the age of 61. Hodges announced the Giants games in New York and San Francisco for 22 seasons, after working for four other teams. Hodges was best known for his famed “The Giants win the pennant!” call of Bobby Thomson’s home run in 1951. Hodges will be the fourth recipient of the Ford Frick Award, posthumously, in 1980.
A former member of the New York Giants requesting anonymity reveals that Bobby Thomson’s home run in the 1951 playoffs against the Brooklyn Dodgers was helped by a sign-stealing
A former member of the New York Giants requesting anonymity reveals that Bobby Thomson’s home run in the 1951 playoffs against the Brooklyn Dodgers was helped by a sign-stealing clubhouse spy. The spying is claimed to have gone on for the last three months of the season. Thomson, along with former Giants manager Leo Durocher, vehemently denies that he received help, but a source close to the team confirms the spy operation.
Hall of Famer Mel Ott dies at the age of 49 from injuries sustained in a traffic accident
On November 21, 1958, Hall of Famer Mel Ott dies at the age of 49 from injuries sustained in a traffic accident. Ott batted .304 with 511 home runs over a 22-year career with the New York Giants.@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IGp1c3QgY2xpY2sgdGhlIHRhZ3MhICAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsImxpbmtfdG9fdGVybV9wYWdlIjoib24iLCJzZXBhcmF0b3IiOiIgfCAiLCJjYXRlZ29yeV90eXBlIjoicG9zdF90YWcifX0=@
Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants signs largest contract in Giants History
On January 6, 1958, Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants signs a contract worth $65,000. It’s the largest deal ever signed by a member of the Giants.
Mayor Robert Wagner forms a four-member committee to find a replacement for the Dodgers and Giants in New York City.
1957 – Mayor Robert Wagner forms a four-member committee to find a replacement for the Dodgers and Giants in New York City.
New York Giants played their final game at the Polo Grounds
On September 29, 1957, the New York Giants played their final game at the Polo Grounds, losing to the Pirates 9-1. After the game, fans stormed the field and tore up the bases and home plate and performed other acts of vandalism as both teams retreated to the center field clubhouses for safety. The following…
