June 3, 1937 – One of the most prolific power hitters of all time, Josh Gibson of the Homestead Grays in the Negro Leagues, crushed a ball that still makes people gasp in awe. The slugger belted a shot in Yankee Stadium that traveled some 580 feet.
That distance eclipsed anything that the American and National Leagues had to offer, even Mickey Mantle’s 565-foot HR blasted out of Griffith Stadium in 1953 years later. Legend has it that earlier in his career in 1934, Gibson did what no player had ever done, and hit a ball out of the House that Ruth built.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
Willis Brennan: The Chicago Cardinal Who Helped Solve One of America’s Most Notorious Crimes!
On November 6, 1927, a few thousand of his closest friends gathered to honor
The Ultimate Salary Showdown: Ancient Roman Gladiators vs. Modern Sports Superstars
In the book of Niccolò Arcangeli, “Gladiators. The stars of the first Talent show
The 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates: A Championship Season to Remember
If you’re a regular reader of my articles or a listener of my podcasts,
John Wooden: A Two-Time Hall of Famer and Basketball Legend For The Ages
This is a story about excellence. There are some people out there who are
The Legacy of the 1970s Pittsburgh Pirates: A Dominant Decade
Although a player’s strike caused the 1972 season to start a week and a
1899: The Cardinals’ First Season
Before player drafts, salary caps, and heck, even before the National Football League, we
1969 New York Jets (A Year After The Guarantee)
Much has been said and written about the 1968 New York Jets, and with
NBA Rivalries: Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Most rivalries are decades old. They begin when the team is created or moved