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Obit for Russ Gibson

Email|Link|Comments (5) Posted by Baxter Holmes, Globe Correspondent July 28, 2008 07:55 PM

The Globe's Marvin Pave has written a very good obituary on Russ Gibson, the former Red Sox catcher who died Sunday at the age of 69. Gibson was a member of the Red Sox' 1967 "Impossible Dream" team that took the St. Louis Cardinals to Game 7 of the World Series.

Here is an excerpt:

``Growing up, I dreamed of playing in the major leagues,ТТ Mr. Gibson said in a 1989 Globe interview. ``But to play in your own hometown and for a pennant winner was something special.ТТ

On the day of Mr. GibsonТs passing, the man who never lost faith in him, former Boston manager Dick Williams, was enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Mr. Gibson had been cut late in spring training in the mid-60s by the Red Sox. The former three-sport athlete at Durfee High had spent spent 10 years in the minor leagues, and was uncertain about his baseball future.

``I had to drive from Scottsdale, Arizona, to Florida to join their farm team (Toronto) and Williams was their manager,ТТ Mr. Gibson recalled in 1989. ``I had five days to think about my future behind the wheel of my car. By the time I got there I told Dick `I think IТm going to give it up.Т ''

Read all of the obit on Boston.com. Here is the link:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/07/russ_gibson_cat.html

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5 comments so far...

Once again, I feel old. Russ Gibson brings back memories of being a 10 year old Red Sox fan in 1968, a year after The Impossible Dream season (although I believe he was on that team, too).

In '68, he shared catching duties with Gerry Moses, as well as Russ Nixon. Moses could hit, but couldn't really catch. Gibson and Nixon were competent backstops, but couldn't really hit. Carlton Fisk was still three years away from becoming Rookie Of The Year, and forever raising the bar in New England as to what was expected of a Red Sox catcher.

Russ Gibson was a Red Sox, and therefore one of my guys...forever.

RIP, Gibby.

Posted by Matt Talvi July 29, 08 12:08 PM

I was able to see the 1967 Team recognized on the field at Fenway last August (2007) and Gibby was there. We traveled from Vancouver BC to honour Tony C. day. This group of ball players from the summer of 1967 left a lasting memory....over 40 years of treasured memories I have.
I have named my only son after Dalton Jones as the entire team of over-achievers left a lasting impact on me...I was 11 yrs old at the time. I had a chance to meet Dalton for the first time in person last summer too - what a gentleman!
This week is a sad week as we've lost 'one of our own', but we should all be grateful for the happy times, the great moments, and the lasting impression made by this very special group of men. A big congrat's to Dick Williams for his Hall of Fame induction - how ironic as it was on the day Gibby passed away.

Posted by Doug Anderson July 29, 08 06:17 PM

I got to meet Russ when he was working for the lottery and came into the store I was working at for the settlements. He gave me a signed baseball card for my son who was just starting to collect them.

I'm glad I had a chance to know him. He was a great guy.

Posted by Joyce Fisher July 29, 08 07:43 PM

I remember our Durfee High days together. Russ was one of our three season stars in baseball, football and basketball, a natural. It was fun watching sports in those days for our school's victories. He was at some of the class reunions and it was nice to catch up with him. He was a very good dancer,too.
Good bye friend

Posted by jeanne mccallum July 29, 08 08:34 PM

I became a lifelong Russ Gibson fan while attending a Giants/Dodger game as a 9 year-old kid in 1972.

I was sitting down the right field line by the bullpen with my glove, as usual, hoping beyond hope that a foul ball would come my way. This was before the days of entitlement when kids would beg for any ball that was hit foul. I watched as Mr. Gibson finished warming up the Giants' pitcher, and started to walk by me on his way to the dugout. He started toward me and said, "Hey Shorty," and smiled as he threw the ball to me.

I may have been cold at Candlestick that summer night, but I came away with my first "foul ball," and a warm memory and souvenir that I cherish to this day.

Thanks Mr. Gibson.

Posted by Bob Biasotti July 30, 08 09:56 AM