Plaque in Monessen will honor Josh Gibson for 1938 home run

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

Homestead Grays legend Josh Gibson hit what became the second-longest home run of his career out of Monessen’s Page Park Ballfield on July 24, 1938.

At 10 a.m. Thursday, near the former site of Page Park, a historical marker honoring Gibson’s 538-foot hit in Monessen will be dedicated in a ceremony attended by Major League Baseball officials, members of the Pirates, the Josh Gibson Foundation and members of Gibson’s family.

“Gibson wasn’t given the respect and accolades he deserved when he was alive and playing ball,” Mayor Matt Shorraw said. “I’m glad that we are able to commemorate his achievements now — not just in Monessen, but also throughout the region and beyond.”

The public is invited for the ceremony, free activities and food at the site near 165 Donner Ave.

Gibson was a legendary power hitter and catcher, and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Gibson was playing for the Negro League’s Homestead Grays in a game against the Memphis Red Sox when the famed hit ricocheted off nearby mill buildings and almost went into the Monongahela River.

Monessen Mayor James Gold measured the blast with game officials and determined it went 538 feet.

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Tuesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.