George Gibson baseball card, 1911

For other persons named George Gibson, see George Gibson (disambiguation).

George C. (Mooney) Gibson (July 22, 1880 - January 25, 1967) was a young Canadian bricklayer-homebuilder turned catcher who enjoyed a lengthy career as both a player with Major League Baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Giants and as a manager for Pittsburgh and the Chicago Cubs. July 22 is the 203rd day (204th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 162 days remaining. ... 1880 (MDCCCLXXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... January 25 is the 25th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ... The position of the catcher Catcher is also a general term for a fielder who catches the ball in cricket. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Major league affiliations National League (1887–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1,4,8,9,20,21,33,40 Name Pittsburgh Pirates (1891–present) Pittsburgh Innocents (1890) (Also referred to as Infants in 1890) Pittsburg Alleghenies (1882-1889) Ballpark PNC Park (2001–present) Three Rivers Stadium... City East Rutherford, New Jersey Other nicknames Big Blue Wrecking Crew, Big Blue, G-Men, The Jints, The New York Football Giants Team colors Royal Blue, Red, Gray, and White Head Coach Tom Coughlin Owner The Mara and Tisch Families General manager Ernie Accorsi League/Conference affiliations National Football League... In baseball, the head coach of a team is called the manager (or more formally, the field manager); this individual controls matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. ... Major league affiliations National League (1876–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Name Chicago Cubs (1902–present) Chicago Orphans (1898-1901) Chicago Colts (1890-1897) Chicago White Stockings (1870-1889) (a. ...

Before he began his managing career in the Major Leagues, Gibson managed the Toronto Maple Leafs of the AAA International League in 1919. The International League (IL) is a minor league baseball league which operates in the eastern United States and Canada. ...

Gibson was also a nephew of William Southam, founder of Southam Newspapers in 1904, the brother of Richard Southam, manager of the London Tecumsehs baseball team in 1877. Southam Newspapers is a Canadian newspaper chain owned by CanWest. ... 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Article title is . ... 1877 (MDCCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

1909 World Series winner

The highlight of Gibson's playing career was winning the best-of-nine- games World Series with Pittsburgh in 1909 by beating Ty Cobb's Detroit Tigers five games to two. For other events named World Series, see World Series (disambiguation). ... 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Tyrus Raymond Ty Cobb (December 18, 1886 – July 17, 1961), nicknamed the Georgia Peach, was a Hall of Fame baseball player. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1998–present) Current uniform Name Detroit Tigers (1901–present) Ballpark Comerica Park (2000–present) Tiger Stadium(1961-1999) a. ...

Arriving back at the train station in his hometown of London, Ontario, on October 27, 1909, after winning the World Series, Gibson found more than 7,000 cheering fans to greet him. At the time, the population of London was approximately 35,000. Nickname: The Forest City Coordinates: Country Canada Province Ontario County Middlesex County Settled 1826 (as village) Incorporated 1855 (as city) City Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best Governing Body London City Council MPs Sue Barnes (LPC) Glen Pearson (LPC) Irene Mathyssen (NDP) Joe Preston (CPC) MPPs Chris Bentley (OLP) Deb Matthews...

On September 9, 1909, Mooney caught his 112th consecutive game, breaking Chief Zimmer's 1890 record. Gibson's streak came to an end at 140 consecutive games behind the plate. 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar). ...

In 1921, Gibson, as manager of Pittsburgh, led the Pirates to his third consecutive first-division finish. 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

Born a stone's throw away from Tecumseh Park (today's Labatt Memorial Park) in London West, Gibson gained the nickname, "Mooney" early in his career due to his round, moon-like face. (The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) dispute this, saying that Gibson picked up the nickname as a youngster when he played on a sandlot team known as the Mooneys.) Labatt Memorial Park is a baseball stadium in London, Ontario, Canada. ... SABR redirects here; for Selectable Assault Battle Rifle (S.A.B.R.) see XM29 OICW The Society for American Baseball Research was established in Cooperstown, New York in August of 1971. ...

At age 12, Gibson played for the Knox Baseball Club in a church league. In 1901, he played for the West London Stars of the Canadian League and the Struthers and McClary teams of the City League.

Today, there is a commemorative plaque prominently displayed at the entrance to the main grandstand at Labatt Park in Gibson's honour. The British television sport programme Grandstand is one of the BBCs longest running sports shows, alongside BBC Sports Personality of the Year. ...

Twenty-nine years in the Big Leagues

Gibson first signed a pro contract in 1903 and developed his talents in Buffalo, New York of the Eastern League and in Montreal before joining the Pittsburgh Pirates two years later on July 2, 1905, at age 24. He had a strong throwing arm and led National League catchers in fielding percentage several times. 1903 (MCMIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Friday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ... Nickname: City of Good Neighbors, Queen City, City of Light Location of Buffalo in New York State County Erie County Mayor Byron Brown Area    - City 136. ... The Eastern League is a minor league baseball league which operates primarily in the northeastern United States, although it now has a team in Ohio. ... Motto: Concordia Salus Coordinates: Country Canada Province Quebec Founded 1642 Established 1832 City Mayor Gérald Tremblay Area    - City 366. ... July 2 is the 183rd day of the year (184th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 182 days remaining. ... 1905 (MCMV) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs, or simply the National League, is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada and the worlds oldest extant professional team sports league. ...

Gibson played in the Major Leagues until August 20, 1918, 12 years with the Pirates and two years with the New York Giants, appearing in 1,213 games. August 20 is the 232nd day of the year (233rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ...

Known as a developer of young pitchers, Gibson later managed the Pirates (1920-1922, 1932-1934) and the Chicago Cubs (1925). 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January January 3 - Babe Ruth is traded by the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees for $125,000, the largest sum ever paid for a player at that time. ... 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1932 (MCMXXXII) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link will take you to a full 1932 calendar). ... 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... Major league affiliations National League (1876–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Name Chicago Cubs (1902–present) Chicago Orphans (1898-1901) Chicago Colts (1890-1897) Chicago White Stockings (1870-1889) (a. ... 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ...

On May 9, 1921, under manager George Gibson, the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the London Tecumsehs 8-7 at Tecumseh Park before 3,500 people in an exhibition baseball game. Before the game, Gibson and his team is presented with a silver loving cup by the London Kiwanis Club. Gibson thrills the locals by catching the opening inning with his 1909 battery mate Babe Adams and singling and scoring a run in his lone at-bat. London Mayor Sid Little entertains the team that evening at his home. Charles Benjamin Babe Adams (May 18, 1882 _ July 27, 1968) was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1906 to 1926, almost entirely with the Pittsburgh Pirates. ...

Post-career honours

Gibson was named Canada's baseball player of the half century in 1958 and was the first baseball player elected to the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. He was subsequently inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum in 1987 and was one of the inaugural 10 inductees into the London Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. In February of 1955 while organizers were planning the charter season of the Eager Beaver Baseball Association, Gibson was named "honorary lifetime president." A view of the playing field at Busch Stadium in Saint Louis, Missouri. ... 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Canadas Sports Hall of Fame is a Hall of Fame established in 1955 to preserve the record of Canadian sports achievements and to promote a greater awareness of Canadas heritage of sport[1]. As of June 2004, there were 436 inductees. ... The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is now located in St. ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ...

Home demolished

During his managing years, Gibson owned both a large farm near Delaware, Ontario, where he often entertained many of the major-league stars of the day during the off-season and a large home at 252 Central Avenue across from Victoria Park in downtown London. Delaware is a small village located about 10 km west of and outside of London, Ontario, within Middlesex County. ... Victoria Park is an 18-acre (73,000 m²) park located in downtown London, Ontario, in Canada. ...

The home on Central Avenue was demolished by prominent London land developer Farhi Holdings Inc. after a protracted and heated public debate in 2003. In exchange for the demolition permit from the City of London, Farhi Holdings President Shmuel Farhi promised to erect a plaque or statue in Gibson's honour at Labatt Park or 252 Central Avenue, neither of which has occurred, notwithstanding that this condition was part of a council resolution. 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

However, there has been a plaque at Labatt Park to Mooney Gibson since 1988, erected by the London Public Library Board's Heritage Sites Committee. The plaque went missing in 2000 and was replaced at the initiative of The Friends of Labatt Park and the LPL's Heritage Sites Committee in 2002 and placed on the wall of the park's new main grandstand, completed in the Spring of 2001. For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ...

Connection to Labatt brewing family

When Gibson lived at 252 Central Avenue in London during the 1920s and 1930s, his immediate neighbours to the east were members of the Labatt brewing family, with whom Gibson frequently socialized. It is believed that Gibson played a significant role in the decision by John and Hugh Labatt to purchase Tecumseh Park and donate it to the City (along with $10,000 for repairs and maintenance), which occurred on December 31, 1936, after which Tecumseh Park was officially renamed "The John Labatt Memorial Athletic Park." Labatt Brewing Company Ltd. ... December 31 is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Gibson died at age 86 in London and is buried at Campbell Cemetery in Komoka, Ontario, not far from his Delaware farm. Near Gibson's former farm is a road named in his honour after Gibson donated some land for public use to the area conservation authority of the day. Komoka is a commuter village of London, Ontario. ...

External links

• Baseball-Reference.com - career playing statistics and managing record
• Gibson's SABR Bio
• Gibson never forgot his London, Ontario, roots by Jeff Hale of The London Free Press story, Sept. 8, 1997
• Circa-1920 London Tecumsehs by Jeff Hale of The London Free Press, Sept. 9, 1997
• Map: location of Labatt Park (formerly Tecumseh Park) in London

References

• Who's Who in Canadian Sport by Bob Ferguson (Sporting Facts Publications, Ottawa, 3rd edition, 1999), ISBN 1-894282-00-0.
• EBBA: 40 Years of Baseball by Jeffrey Reed (Eager Beaver Baseball Association, Inc., London, Ontario, 1994, ISBN 0-9698289-0-X).
• An Eight-Page Indenture/ Instrument #33043 between The London and Western Trusts Company Limited, The Corporation of The City of London and John Labatt, Limited, dated December 31, 1936, and registered on title in the Land Registry Office for the City of London on January 2, 1937, conveying Tecumseh Park to the City of London along with $10,000 on the provisos that the athletic field be preserved, maintained and operated in perpetuity "for the use of the citizens of the City of London as an athletic field and recreation ground" and that it be renamed "The John Labatt Memorial Athletic Park."

London, Ontario

A-Channel London | Fanshawe College | Grand Theatre | London Free Press | London International Airport | London Transit | One London Place | St. Paul's Cathedral | St. Peter's Basilica | Springbank Park | University of Western Ontario | Victoria Park Sports: Boler Mountain | Forest City Velodrome | John Labatt Centre | Labatt Memorial Park | London Ice House | London Majors | London Knights | TD Waterhouse Stadium | Western Mustangs Eager Beaver Baseball Association, Inc. ... An Indentured servant is an unfree labourer under contract to work (for a specified amount of time) for another person, often without any pay, but in exchange for accommodation, food, other essentials and/or free passage to a new country. ... A perpetuity is an annuity in which the periodic payments begin on a fixed date and continue indefinitely. ... Hugo Francis Bezdek (April 1, 1883 in Prague, Austria-Hungary – September 19, 1952 in Atlantic City, New Jersey) was a Czech-American sports figure in the first half of the 20th century. ... Major league affiliations National League (1887–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1,4,8,9,20,21,33,40 Name Pittsburgh Pirates (1891–present) Pittsburgh Innocents (1890) (Also referred to as Infants in 1890) Pittsburg Alleghenies (1882-1889) Ballpark PNC Park (2001–present) Three Rivers Stadium... Bill McKechnie baseball card, 1912 William Boyd McKechnie (August 7, 1886 - October 29, 1965) was a Major League Baseball player and manager. ... Rabbit Maranville Walter James Vincent Maranville (November 11, 1891 - January 5, 1954), better known as Rabbit Maranville, was a Major League Baseball shortstop. ... Chicago Cubs Managers Jimmy Wood 1871,1874-1875 Fergy Malone 1874 Al Spalding 1876-1877 Bob Ferguson 1878 Cap Anson 1879 Steve Flint 1879 Cap Anson 1880-1897 Tom Burns 1898-1899 Tom Loftus 1900-1901 Frank Selee 1902-1905 Frank Chance 1905-1912 Johnny Evers 1913 Hank ODay... Joseph Vincent McCarthy (April 21, 1887 - January 13, 1978) was an American manager in Major League Baseball, most renowned for his leadership of the Bronx Bombers teams of the New York Yankees from 1931 to 1946. ... Major league affiliations National League (1887–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1,4,8,9,20,21,33,40 Name Pittsburgh Pirates (1891–present) Pittsburgh Innocents (1890) (Also referred to as Infants in 1890) Pittsburg Alleghenies (1882-1889) Ballpark PNC Park (2001–present) Three Rivers Stadium... Harold Joseph Pie Traynor (November 11, 1899 - March 16, 1972) was a Major League Baseball third baseman who played his entire career with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1920-37). ... Nickname: The Forest City Coordinates: Country Canada Province Ontario County Middlesex County Settled 1826 (as village) Incorporated 1855 (as city) City Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best Governing Body London City Council MPs Sue Barnes (LPC) Glen Pearson (LPC) Irene Mathyssen (NDP) Joe Preston (CPC) MPPs Chris Bentley (OLP) Deb Matthews... File links The following pages link to this file: London, Ontario Categories: Flag images ... CFPL, A-Channel London (formerly The New PL) is a television station owned by CHUM Limited which serves the London and Sarnia regions of Ontario, Canada. ... Fanshawe College is a large community college in London, Ontario, Canada. ... The Grand Theatre is a professional theatre located on Richmond Street just south of Dufferin Avenue in London, Ontario, Canada. ... The London Free Press is a daily newspaper based in London, Ontario, Canada. ... London International Airport or London Airport, (IATA: YXU, ICAO: CYXU), is located 5. ... The London Transit Commission (LTC), is the public transit system for the City of London, Ontario. ... One London Place is an office tower located in London, Ontario, Canada. ... St. ... St. ... Springbank Park is a 57 hectare (140 acre) park located along a stretch of the Thames River in London, Ontario, Canada. ... The University of Western Ontario (Western or UWO) is a coeducational, non-denominational, research-intensive university located in London, Ontario. ... Victoria Park is an 18-acre (73,000 m²) park located in downtown London, Ontario, in Canada. ... Boler Mountain, is the home of the London Ski Club in London, Ontario. ... The Forest City Velodrome is an indoor cycling facility located in London, Ontario, Canada. ... The John Labatt Centre is a sports-entertainment centre in London, Ontario, Canada -- the largest such centre in southwestern Ontario. ... Labatt Memorial Park is a baseball stadium in London, Ontario, Canada. ... The London Ice House is an arena in London, Ontario, Canada. ... The London Majors Baseball Club is an amateur mens baseball team from London, Ontario, Canada. ... City: London, Ontario League: Ontario Hockey League Conference: Western Division: Midwest Founded: 1968 (1965) Home Arena: John Labatt Centre Colours: Green, Gold, Black, and White Head Coach: Dale Hunter General Manager: Mark Hunter Affiliated Team(s): Petrolia Jets London Knights 2004-2005 The London Knights are an ice hockey team... TD Waterhouse Stadium is an 8,000 seat Canadian football stadium located on the campus of the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. ... -1... Festivals: Home County Folk Festival | London Balloon Festival | Rock the Park | Sunfest | Western Fair Home County Folk Festival is a folk music festival in London, Ontario. ... The London International Hot Air Ballon Festival (London Balloon Festival) is an annual hot air balloon festival held in London, Ontario. ... Rock the Park is an annual Classic Rock music festival held at Harris Park in London, Ontario, Canada, that is currently in its third year. ... Sunfest is an annual Canadian world music music festival that happens in London, Ontario primarily in Victoria Park. ... The Western Fair is an agricultural fair held annually in London, Ontario, Canada. ...