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Josh Gibson: the Legend Behind the Plate is the compelling one hour documentary of Negro League Slugger Josh Gibson, arguably the greatest baseball player ever.   Known as the “Black Babe Ruth”, Gibson hit over 900 home runs in his 17 year career and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.

Gibson was raised on Pittsburgh’s North Side during his adolescence and was a gifted athlete.  By age 16, Gibson had made a name for himself as a sandlot player for several amateur teams and joined the Negro League’s Homestead Grays as a young man.  In 1928, the Grays aligned their team with the Negro National League and their team exceled thanks to Gibson’s unmatched talent.

Gibson hit a phenomenal .461  in his rookie year and showed amazing power. During a game at Yankee Stadium, he slammed a home run into the left field bullpen that travelled more than 500 feet. Fans for years after would claim it as one of the longest drives ever hit in that ballpark.
Josh Gibson died suddenly on January 20, 1947 a few months before Jackie Robinson broke the color line in the major leagues. Baseball historians consider Gibson to be among the very best catchers and power hitters in the history of any league, including the Major Leagues.  Gibson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972, the second Negro League player, after Satchel Paige, to be so honoured.