Jake Gibbs - Professional Career

Professional Career

Gibbs decided instead to go professional in baseball despite being drafted by the Houston Oilers of the American Football League and Cleveland Browns National Football League in 1961. Gibbs signed with the New York Yankees in 1961, receiving a $100,000 signing bonus under the Bonus Rule. Gibbs signed as a third baseman and shortstop.

He began his professional career with the Richmond Virginians of the International League; he recorded five hits in a double header in his professional debut and started his career with an eight game hitting streak. The Yankees optioned him to Richmond in 1962, but his season was limited by injuries. The Yankees asked Gibbs to try to play as a catcher in 1963. Gibbs spent the 1963 season with the Virginians, before the Yankees promoted him again in September.

Gibbs spent his four first professional seasons in minor league baseball, where his highest season batting average was .284 and he managed to hit 28 home runs across the four seasons. With Yogi Berra's retirement before the 1964 season, Gibbs competed for a spot on the Yankees' roster. He was unable to appear in the 1964 World Series due to broken fingers. He also missed the end of the 1966 season after suffering a broken left hand. After backing up Elston Howard for a number of years, the Yankees traded Howard during the 1967 season, at which point Gibbs became the team's starting catcher. He eventually lost the first-string job to Thurman Munson, but continued as a back-up with the team. In June 1971, he announced his retirement from baseball, effective at the end of the season. He played his final game on September 29, 1971.