Josh Gibson Foundation: Making History Today

By Payton Ferris

The Josh Gibson Foundation works to cherish the legacy of baseball player Josh Gibson by utilizing his history today to support underrepresented players who love the game.

As only the second Negro League player to be inducted in the baseball hall of fame, Josh Gibson left a mark not only on Pittsburgh sports but on the history of baseball. In speaking with Sean Gibson, Executive Director of the Foundation & great-grandson of Josh Gibson, he shared how continuing his family legacy gives him the chance to educate people and perhaps give them someone to relate to with the story of Josh Gibson. With the segregation that Josh Gibson endured during his career, Sean works to show others how his great grandfather had to “endure a lot to play a simple game of baseball.”

Since the foundation’s establishment in 1994, the Gibson family and organization staff have worked to educate others about Josh Gibson’s impact on Pittsburgh and baseball. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Gibson’s induction into the hall of fame, the foundation has had numerous events during August to praise his legacy. This includes events such as sharing Gibson’s Hall of Fame plaque and bringing it to PNC Park, as well as giving Josh Gibson’s wife, Helen Mason, a headstone for a final proper resting place.

One of the biggest initiatives that the foundation currently supports is the Josh Gibson Baseball Academy which allows people from the inner city to have access to a baseball field. The foundation recently announced a new project to go along with the Baseball Academy: the construction of an indoor facility and Miracle Field to ensure that everyone is given the space and opportunity to play baseball.

A Miracle Field is a rubber field that would allow those with disabilities to play baseball in a safe environment. With this project, the foundation wanted to “change dynamics and offer programming” that showcases how everyone should have access to a nice facility to share their love of the game. Although this is just the beginning of the twelve-million-dollar project, this unique facility has the opportunity to be a community center that elevates job opportunities and tourism within Pittsburgh.

Sean explained how rewarding he finds it to share and carry out this legacy of his family for generations to come. His grandfather, Josh Gibson Jr. (son of Josh Gibson), always told him that the “one thing you have is your name” and Sean works every day to honor his name by making Pittsburgh a welcoming place for underrepresented players. Despite his sudden death in 1947, Josh Gibson’s baseball career lives on as a legendary contribution to the game and to the community of players everywhere.