Josh Gibson - January 20：美国历史上的今天

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内容导读：Josh Gibson，美国黑人棒球球员，其伟大功绩在经历波折之后终于得到肯定。

On January 20, 1947, one of the greatest home run hitters 本垒打击球员 in baseball history died. You won’t find his name in any major league record books. Most baseball fans wouldn’t recognize his name. The reason is that Josh Gibson was a black man.

Before 1948, black baseball players were not allowed to play in the “big leagues.” Black players had their own leagues and their own teams. Gibson played baseball in the Negro League during the 1930s and 1940s. Gibson was called the “Black Babe Ruth” because of his reputation as a great home run hitter. It was said that he hit almost 800 home runs during his 17-year career.

Toward the end of his career, Gibson became bitter. He wanted a black player to get a chance to play in the major leagues. Because of his age, Gibson knew that he would not be the first black player to do that. He didn’t live to see black ballplayers in the big leagues. He died at the age of 35, just months before Jackie Robinson became the first black player on a major league team.

In 1972, Josh Gibson was finally recognized as a great player. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. On his plaque in the Hall of Fame are written these words: Considered greatest slugger in Negro Baseball Leagues. Power-hitting catcher who hit almost 800 home runs.

本文内容选自上海外语教育出版社引进出版的《听读美国小故事》第1册（1月）。如需购买，可到当当、亚马逊、京东等网上书城去看看。