Frank Gibson
Encyclopedia
Frank Gilbert Gibson was a Major League Baseball
catcher
. He played all or part of eight seasons in the majors for the Detroit Tigers
and Boston Braves
.
Gibson began his professional career in with the Dallas Giants of the Texas League
. After two seasons, he was picked up by the Tigers, making his major league debut with them in April . He played in 23 games for the Tigers, batting just .140, with below average fielding. Gibson returned to the minors, playing first in the Southern Association
, then returning to the Texas League in with the Beaumont Oilers and San Antonio Bronchos
.
After playing four seasons with the Bronchos (renamed the Bears in 1919), Gibson was purchased from the team by the Boston Braves in August 1920. He made his return to the major leagues in after eight years away. For the next four seasons, Gibson served as backup for the Braves starting catcher, Mickey O'Neil
. In , Gibson was made the club's starting catcher, and he responded by batting .278 and driving in a career-high 50 runs.
Gibson's tenure as a starter would be brief, however, as the Braves acquired veteran catcher Zack Taylor
during the next offseason. In 1927, Shanty Hogan
took over the full-time job, and Gibson backed up both men. Following the 1927 season, Gibson was sold to the St. Louis Cardinals
, but he never played for them. Instead, he returned to the Texas League in , where he served as player-manager of the San Antonio Bears
. He played three more seasons in the minor leagues, finishing his career with the minor league Baltimore Orioles
in
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
. He played all or part of eight seasons in the majors for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
and Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
.
Gibson began his professional career in with the Dallas Giants of the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
. After two seasons, he was picked up by the Tigers, making his major league debut with them in April . He played in 23 games for the Tigers, batting just .140, with below average fielding. Gibson returned to the minors, playing first in the Southern Association
Southern Association
The Southern Association was a higher-level minor league in American organized baseball from 1901 through 1961. For most of its existence, the Southern Association was two steps below the Major Leagues; it was graded Class A , Class A1 and Class AA...
, then returning to the Texas League in with the Beaumont Oilers and San Antonio Bronchos
San Antonio Bears
The San Antonio Bears were a minor league baseball team located in San Antonio, Texas. The team played in the Texas League. Their home stadium was League Park.-External links:*...
.
After playing four seasons with the Bronchos (renamed the Bears in 1919), Gibson was purchased from the team by the Boston Braves in August 1920. He made his return to the major leagues in after eight years away. For the next four seasons, Gibson served as backup for the Braves starting catcher, Mickey O'Neil
Mickey O'Neil (baseball)
George Michael O'Neil , is a former professional baseball player who played catcher from 1919-1927....
. In , Gibson was made the club's starting catcher, and he responded by batting .278 and driving in a career-high 50 runs.
Gibson's tenure as a starter would be brief, however, as the Braves acquired veteran catcher Zack Taylor
Zack Taylor (baseball)
James Wren "Zack" Taylor was an American Major League Baseball catcher with the Brooklyn Robins, Boston Braves, New York Giants, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, and again with the Brooklyn Dodgers....
during the next offseason. In 1927, Shanty Hogan
Shanty Hogan
James Francis "Shanty" Hogan was a Major League Baseball catcher from 1925 to 1937. Hogan was listed at 6'1", 240 pounds — an exceptionally large player, especially for his era. Due to this, there are many anecdotes relating to Hogan and food...
took over the full-time job, and Gibson backed up both men. Following the 1927 season, Gibson was sold to the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, but he never played for them. Instead, he returned to the Texas League in , where he served as player-manager of the San Antonio Bears
San Antonio Bears
The San Antonio Bears were a minor league baseball team located in San Antonio, Texas. The team played in the Texas League. Their home stadium was League Park.-External links:*...
. He played three more seasons in the minor leagues, finishing his career with the minor league Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles (minor league)
The city of Baltimore, Maryland has been home to two minor league baseball teams called the Baltimore Orioles.-Name history:"Orioles" is a traditional name for baseball clubs in Baltimore . It was used by major league teams from 1882 through 1899 in the American Association/National League and by...
in