Frank Gibson

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 1911 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 1913. 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 1917 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 1921 after eight years away. For the next four seasons, Gibson served as backup for the Braves starting catcher, Mickey O'Neil. In 1925, 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 1928, 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 1931

Sources

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)