Josh Gibson
Inducted:
1972
Player Details
6-1, 220lb (185cm, 99kg)
Born:
December 21, 1911
Buena Vista, Georgia, U.S.
Died:
January 20, 1947
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Position:
Catcher
College:
NA
Josh Gibson was a legendary catcher in the Negro Leagues who dominated the plate from the early 1930s through the mid-1940s and was honored with induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. A powerful hitter known for tape-measure home runs, he earned a reputation as one of the greatest sluggers of his time. His lifetime batting average—now officially recognized at .372—is the highest in baseball history.
With a blend of extraordinary power, consistency, and dramatic flair, Gibson defined excellence despite never having the chance to play in the major leagues. His performance against top competition—in league, exhibition, and barnstorming games—earned the deep respect of peers and fans alike. The belated integration of Negro League stats into MLB's official records in 2024 finally solidified his place atop batting average, slugging percentage, and OPS leaderboards, acknowledging the greatness that fans and historians long recognized.
Gibson's Awards and Records
- 12× All-Star (1933–1936, 1939, 1942–1944, 1946)
- 2× Negro World Series champion (1943, 1944)
- 3× Negro National League batting champion (1936, 1937, 1939)
- 2× Triple Crown (1936, 1937)
- Washington Nationals Ring of Honor
- Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame
MLB Records
- .371 career batting average
- 176 career OPS
- .466 single season batting average (1943)
- .974 single season slugging percentage (1937)
- 474 single season OPS (1937)
MLB Teams:
Memphis Red Sox (1930)
Homestead Grays (1930–1931)
Pittsburgh Crawfords (1932–1936)
Homestead Grays (1937–1940, 1942–1946)
Number Worn:
20
MLB Stats:
Seasons:
16 (1930–1946)
Games Played:
510
Hits:
831
Batting Average:
.371
Runs:
467
Doubles:
109
Triples:
41
Home Runs:
171
Runs Batted In (RBI):
746
Stolen Bases:
22
On-Base Percentage (OBP):
.340