1967 Profile: Jake Gibbs

"The anonymity that followed his much-publicized signing for an estimated $100,000 in 1961 may have been a blessing in disguise for Jake Gibbs. He was a third baseman then. He had to go down to the minors to learn to be a catcher - at the expense of numerous cracked fingers. But away from the glow of publicity, in which he had basked as a quarterback at Mississippi, he had the chance to learn his trade.
He'd been an infrequent and erratic sub for Ellie Howard in '65, getting in 37 games and batting .221. But last year he was the Yankees' most improved player, and Ralph Houk had to make room behind the plate for him. Jake batted .258 in 62 games - but he was hitting with more confidence every day - and he demonstrated he has come all the way as a defensive catcher.
'It's easy to see why Jake was such a great football player,' Houk says. 'He simply knows how to rise to the occasion.' "

-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1967

"One of the more dramatic (and less heralded) stories of the Yankees is that of catcher Jake Gibbs. Sought after by many clubs in both baseball and football, the former Mississippi All-American quarterback signed for the largest bonus ever paid by the Yankees. That was May 1961.
It's now six years later and Jerry Dean Gibbs has had to battle every inch of the way to become the full-fledged Yankee he is today.
Signed as a third baseman, it was decided in about two years that his chances with the Bombers would be improved if he tried catching. He was converted to a receiver, and after a variety of broken fingers and assorted other injuries, the compact 28-year-old made it.
Jake has that competitive urge. 'He simply knows how to rise to the occasion,' said Manager Ralph Houk.
He hit .258 in limited service with the Yankees last year, his best mark in the majors. And he frequently gets his hits when they count the most.
It took some time and work ... but Jake Gibbs has arrived!"

-The New York Yankees Official 1967 Yearbook

MY GREATEST THRILL
"When I got called up on June 15, 1965, I had already been sent back to the minors four times and I really wasn't sure by then whether I'd ever make it. Then the Yankees sent for me and I got my chance here. It was a pleasant and happy surprise, but I hope some even greater thrills are still ahead."

-Jake Gibbs, The New York Yankees Official 1967 Yearbook

All-American quarterback at Ole Miss, 1960.
All-American in baseball, 1960 and 1961.
Signed by Yankee organization, May 25, 1961- Yankees' highest paid bonus player.
Suffered simple fracture of the bone behind his left thumb when hit by a bat on a backswing on August 26- was out for the remainder of the 1966 season.
Assistant backfield coach at Ole Miss during off-season.

-1967 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide