… False Starts …
BY MARK A. LARSON
Editor & Publisher
In 1962, at the age of 23, catcher Jake Gibbs appeared in his first two major league games for the Yankees. In ’63, he doubled his big league appearances to four games. The next year saw Jake make it into three games. Baby steps toward the big time.
Finally, in 1965, the backstop was in 37 games (mostly as a defensive replacement, as Gibbs only had 68 at-bats). A toddler step?
Due to the many small steps, Topps had a tough time deciding just what to do with Gibbs cardwise.
Even though Topps issued “Rookie Parade” cards as part of their 1962 set – with four players on each – they gave Jake his own card right off the bat. But because of his lack of action on the major league level in ’62, Gibbs did not even have a card in the 1963 set.
The card company’s confidence that Gibbs would eventually make it to the bigs, encouraged them to place the catcher as one of two players on a “Rookie Stars” card in 1964. However, since ’64 was essentially the same as the previous two years for Gibbs, he shared yet another “Rookie Stars” card in the 1965 set.
Finally, in 1966 – four years after his first solo card – those 37 game appearances in 1965 earned Gibbs his very own card again. And … he continued to get his own card in each Topps set through 1971.
One reason Gibbs’ road to the majors was filled with fits and starts was because Elston Howard was firmly established as the Yankees’ catcher. (Howard was the American League’s MVP in 1963 and was an All-Star nine consecutive years through 1965.) But in 1967, Howard was traded to the Red Sox in mid-season.
Consequently, Jake’s playing time increased and he saw his most action in 1967-68 when he appeared in 116 and 124 games respectively. Gibbs played three additional seasons, but averaged only about 65 games per year. (By 1970, the great Thurman had arrived and became the Yanks primary receiver.)
Overall, in 538 games, with 1,639 at-bats, Gibbs hit .233. The backstop had 25 career home runs, with 146 RBI. Surprisingly, he made 50 steal attempts, but only succeeded 28 times.
• • • • • •
THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN
EXCLUSIVELY FOR BaseballCardFun.com
• • •
Text Copyright © 2024 by BaseballCardFun.com / Mark A. Larson
No article appearing on this website may be reproduced without written consent of the Editor/Publisher
To keep up-to-date on additions to BaseballCardFun.com, subscribe below*
* Your email address will never be shared and is only used to announce new articles
BaseballCardFun.com 