Fall River Herald News - Russ Gibson dies at 69
Russ Gibson was a three-sport star at Durfee High School, a junior starting forward on the 1956 basketball team that won both the Tech Tourney and New England championships before huge crows — many from Fall River — at the old Boston Garden. Ten years after graduating from Durfee, Gibson was the starting catcher for the 1967 “Impossible Dream” Red Sox team that captured the American League pennant.
One of the Spindle City’s all-time favorite sons, one who never ever forgot his roots, died this weekend — either late Saturday or early Sunday, according to his son Chris — at Swan Brook Assisted Living in Swansea.
John Russell Gisbon had struggled with his health for more than a decade, undergoing multiple dialysis treatments each week and battling heart problems.
...
Gibson was signed by the Red Sox out of high school. A catcher, Gibson toiled a decade in the minor leagues before making it to the Red Sox in 1967. He was a favorite of Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams, who had managed him at Triple A Toronto in 1966. Attar recalled how excited Gisbon was at Attar’s house one night after the 1966 season because Williams had told him he would be coming to Boston the next spring. “He was so proud to be representing Fall River, representing Durfee High School,” Attar said.
In his major league debut, Gibson caught Billy Rohr’s near no-hitter at Yankee Stadium in the first week of the 1967 season, getting a pair of hits off Whitey Ford in the process. And he was the starting catcher in Game 1 of the World Series against the Cardinals. The Sox lost that series in seven games.
Full Version: RIP, Russ Gibson
Met him briefly...a very nice guy, and seemingly appreciative of the fact people still wanted to meet him. Along with Lonborg, the nicest, most genuine former player I've had the chance to speak with.
RIP.
RIP.
QUOTE(Bergs @ Jul 28 2008, 07:17 AM) 
Met him briefly...a very nice guy, and seemingly appreciative of the fact people still wanted to meet him. Along with Lonborg, the nicest, most genuine former player I've had the chance to speak with.
RIP.
RIP.
It bugs me that I don't remember him. He played in 210 regular season games for the Sox between '67 and '69, and 2 world series games in '67.
Did you see ESPN misspell Lonborg's name last night on a graphic (Longborg), but Jon Miller immediately jumped on it. Miller is a terrific baseball historian.
RIP
Boston.com posted an obit tonight; it will be in tomorrow's Globe.
Marvin Pave - Russ Gibson, catcher on 'Impossible Dream' team, dies
``Growing up, I dreamed of playing in the major leagues,’’ Mr. Gibson said in a 1989 Globe interview. ``But to play in your own hometown and for a pennant winner was something special.’’
On the day of Mr. Gibson’s 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,’’ 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 I’m going to give it up.’ ''
But Williams talked Mr. Gibson into staying with Toronto as a player-coach, and he followed manager Williams to the Red Sox in 1967.
Marvin Pave - Russ Gibson, catcher on 'Impossible Dream' team, dies
``Growing up, I dreamed of playing in the major leagues,’’ Mr. Gibson said in a 1989 Globe interview. ``But to play in your own hometown and for a pennant winner was something special.’’
On the day of Mr. Gibson’s 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,’’ 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 I’m going to give it up.’ ''
But Williams talked Mr. Gibson into staying with Toronto as a player-coach, and he followed manager Williams to the Red Sox in 1967.
QUOTE(RedSoxAnni @ Jul 27 2008, 05:42 PM)
Fall River Herald News - Russ Gibson dies at 69
Russ Gibson was a three-sport star at Durfee High School, a junior starting forward on the 1956 basketball team that won both the Tech Tourney and New England championships before huge crows — many from Fall River — at the old Boston Garden. Ten years after graduating from Durfee, Gibson was the starting catcher for the 1967 “Impossible Dream” Red Sox team that captured the American League pennant.
One of the Spindle City’s all-time favorite sons, one who never ever forgot his roots, died this weekend — either late Saturday or early Sunday, according to his son Chris — at Swan Brook Assisted Living in Swansea.
John Russell Gisbon had struggled with his health for more than a decade, undergoing multiple dialysis treatments each week and battling heart problems.
...
Gibson was signed by the Red Sox out of high school. A catcher, Gibson toiled a decade in the minor leagues before making it to the Red Sox in 1967. He was a favorite of Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams, who had managed him at Triple A Toronto in 1966. Attar recalled how excited Gisbon was at Attar’s house one night after the 1966 season because Williams had told him he would be coming to Boston the next spring. “He was so proud to be representing Fall River, representing Durfee High School,” Attar said.
In his major league debut, Gibson caught Billy Rohr’s near no-hitter at Yankee Stadium in the first week of the 1967 season, getting a pair of hits off Whitey Ford in the process. And he was the starting catcher in Game 1 of the World Series against the Cardinals. The Sox lost that series in seven games.
Russ Gibson was a three-sport star at Durfee High School, a junior starting forward on the 1956 basketball team that won both the Tech Tourney and New England championships before huge crows — many from Fall River — at the old Boston Garden. Ten years after graduating from Durfee, Gibson was the starting catcher for the 1967 “Impossible Dream” Red Sox team that captured the American League pennant.
One of the Spindle City’s all-time favorite sons, one who never ever forgot his roots, died this weekend — either late Saturday or early Sunday, according to his son Chris — at Swan Brook Assisted Living in Swansea.
John Russell Gisbon had struggled with his health for more than a decade, undergoing multiple dialysis treatments each week and battling heart problems.
...
Gibson was signed by the Red Sox out of high school. A catcher, Gibson toiled a decade in the minor leagues before making it to the Red Sox in 1967. He was a favorite of Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams, who had managed him at Triple A Toronto in 1966. Attar recalled how excited Gisbon was at Attar’s house one night after the 1966 season because Williams had told him he would be coming to Boston the next spring. “He was so proud to be representing Fall River, representing Durfee High School,” Attar said.
In his major league debut, Gibson caught Billy Rohr’s near no-hitter at Yankee Stadium in the first week of the 1967 season, getting a pair of hits off Whitey Ford in the process. And he was the starting catcher in Game 1 of the World Series against the Cardinals. The Sox lost that series in seven games.
Gibson's career stats.
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