#643 Russ Gibson

Boston local (Fall River, MA), minor league veteran makes Red Sox…debuted at age 27…was back up or platoon catcher for majority of career…rookie season was 1967 just in time for the Red Sox’s ascendency to the WS…had the dubious distinction of being the best hitting catcher on the squad with a .203 average…Red Sox won anyway despite the offensive abyss that was the catcher position…stuck around Boston for next two seasons…high water mark was 1969 when he hit .251 in 287 Abs…sent to Giants for cash…Achieved 2^nd catcher status but was buried behind Dick Dietz career year…1971 lost more playing to Dietz and rookie Fran Healy…had minimal work in 1972 splitting time between AAA Phoenix and Giants…Passed away in 2008