I defy anyone to find something wrong with this card. It has everything… speed, versatility, average, and of course, power and lots of it.
As the card indicates, it’s the 1931 Josh Gibson card. Not only does it have six power numbers (1-1-2-3-6-6) but three 7s and an 11. Gibson is listed as a C-8 but also can play outfield, third and first.
One thing does puzzle me. This card is based on Gibson’s 1931 season which is probably not his best year. Now I know Negro League statistics are sketchy and incomplete at best but most sources I’ve seen show his ‘official’ stats as hitting .306 with 6 homers in 124 at-bats for the Homestead Grays. I’m sure there were more stats that weren’t included but it does make me wonder. Here is one of my sources for his stats if you’re interested in looking into it.
A great card nonetheless. Pastor Rich got the card as part of the new Negro League set for Christmas and couldn’t help but share on Facebook. It generated a LOT of discussion (here’s the link for those on FB).
I’ll end this with a nice quick bio video put out by the National Baseball Hall of Fame. It includes some footage of Gibson on the field.
I’m a big fan of Gibson’s and was not aware he played anything other than catcher.
A true shame how he never got the chance to show his stuff in MLB.
I just bought this Negro League set, it’s great & only $25 for 20 teams — there is like 4 Josh Gibson’s in the set! The 1931 is the best of the bunch, almost all the Hall of Famers from the Negro Leagues are there among all the other stars. It was really cool looking at Cool “Papa” Bell, Oscar Charleston, Buck Leonard, “Pop” Lloyd, and Judy Johnson’s cards as well!
Man, those #s are absolutely insane!! I made up a card for him in my OFAS set w/ the Pirates which was crazy as well. However, after looking at this mind-boggler, i’m gonna have to re-do him with this one.
This is the greatest Monster card i’ve ever seen. A single column 2 and 3 to go along with 3 – 7’s AND and 11? Ruth has got nothin’ on this imo. Thanks for sharin’!!
Certainly does rival the original 1927 Lou Gehrig.
They are both on the “Honolulu Hitmen” (my All-Time All-Star team) that I am currently playing a 162 Gane season against 136 of my Great Teams of The Past.
As always, you are very welcome Tom!
:)
Honolulu Hitmen current starting lineup
1911 (F) Cobb CF-2
1900 (F) Wagner SS-10
1921 (F) Ruth RF-2
1927 (-) Gehrig 1B-4 (Original)
1931 (F) Gibson C-8
1932 (-) Foxx 3B-4
1941 (-) Williams LF-2
1901 (F) Lajoie 2B-9
1913 Johnson (A&B 1YZ)
1908 Walsh (A&B 2YZ)
1978 Guidry (A&C 2XZ)
1931 Grove (A&C 1YZ)
1916 Alexander (A&C 2Z)
Nice pitching staff. What is their record?
“real baseball, not fantasy baseball”
Cards like this are not really helpful in advancing such an agenda.
Several stat sources give you a more realistic projection of a truly great player.
Thomas – “I defy anyone to find something wrong with this card.”
Me – J-4 injury rating
:)
I just discovered this blog while going down memory lane. I played APBA with my friend as a youngster an older guy who took me under his wing and was a father figure to me. We managed 20 “all star” type teams although we “owned” 2 a piece. I don’t know what made me think of looking this up after all these years but it is a great feeling. Speaking of great this card is a monster. We did not use negro league players back then but looking at this card I wish we did. Huge.