Jake Gibbs
Encyclopedia
Jerry Dean "Jake" Gibbs (born November 7, 1938) is a former Major League Baseball
player who played for the New York Yankees
as a platoon catcher
from 1962 to 1971. His strong hit record in 1968 earned him the nickname "Dead-Eye" Gibbs. An All-American
quarterback
at the University of Mississippi
, Gibbs decided instead to go pro in baseball despite being drafted by the AFL
's Houston Oilers and NFL
's Cleveland Browns
in 1961. He played his final game on September 29, 1971.
During his senior year at Mississippi, Gibbs led the Ole Miss Rebels football
team to a 10–0–1 record. The Rebels were recognized as national champions by the Football Writers Association of America
. In 1995, Gibbs was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
.
In 1972, Gibbs coached an Ole Miss baseball
team that won the SEC championship, set an SEC record for consecutive conference wins, and went to Omaha for the College World Series
.
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...
player who played for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
as a platoon 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...
from 1962 to 1971. His strong hit record in 1968 earned him the nickname "Dead-Eye" Gibbs. An All-American
1960 College Football All-America Team
The 1960 College Football All-America team is composed of college football players who were selected as All-Americans by various organizations and writers that chose College Football All-America Teams for the 1960 college football season...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
at the University of Mississippi
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
, Gibbs decided instead to go pro in baseball despite being drafted by the AFL
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
's Houston Oilers and NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 1961. He played his final game on September 29, 1971.
During his senior year at Mississippi, Gibbs led the Ole Miss Rebels football
Ole Miss Rebels football
The football history of the University of Mississippi , includes the formation of the first football team in the state and is 26th on the list of college football's all-time winning programs...
team to a 10–0–1 record. The Rebels were recognized as national champions by the Football Writers Association of America
Football Writers Association of America
The Football Writers Association of America is one of the organizations whose College Football All-America Team is recognized by the NCAA...
. In 1995, Gibbs was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
.
In 1972, Gibbs coached an Ole Miss baseball
Ole Miss Rebels baseball
The Ole Miss Rebels baseball team represents the University of Mississippi in NCAA Division I college baseball. The team participates in the West division of the Southeastern Conference. They are currently coached by head coach Mike Bianco and assistant coaches Carl Lafferty and Matt Mossberg. They...
team that won the SEC championship, set an SEC record for consecutive conference wins, and went to Omaha for the College World Series
1972 College World Series
The 1972 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 9 to June 16. The twenty-sixth tournament's champion was the University of Southern California, coached by Rod Dedeaux...
.