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On Saturday, October 8, 1977, a native son was honored by Pittsburgh Mayor Richard S. Caliguiri and the community of Brookline. Daniel Patrick McGibbeny was a young man whose life was cut short on September 6, 1977, at the age of twenty-six, by cancer. Young Dan played or managed Little League and Senior League baseball for nineteen of his twenty-six short years. In a ceremony at the Brookline Memorial Recreation Center, with a large crowd filling the gymnasium, Mayor Caligiuri proclaimed the new baseball field, adjacent to Brookline Boulevard in Brookline Park, "Danny McGibbeny Memorial Field." The mayor also issued a proclamation designating Saturday October 8, 1977 as "Danny McGibbeny Day" in the city of Pittsburgh. In an appropriate twist of irony, it was Danny's team that played the innaugural game on the new field back in July.
Several other guest speakers were in attendance, including Recreation Center Director Chuck Senft, Brookline Little League President Angelo Masullo, long-time friend Jim Jackonic and Don Jones, a former colleague and basketball player from Point Park College. They all spoke of Danny's unwavering friendship, professionalism and dedication to the community. Joining the dignitaries on stage were several members of Danny's immediate family, including his wife Dawn, father Dan McGibbeny, Executive Sports Director for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, mother Elva, President of the Brookline Area Community Council, sister Patricia, grandmother Mae, brother-in-law Jerry and nephew Clint.
The ceremony was to have been followed by a softball game featuring a team of Danny's close friends, called "The Gibbers," against the Little League coaches to christen the new field, but rain forced a cancellation of the game. It did not, however, dampen the spirit of those who came to celebrate Danny's short, but memorable life. Danny McGibbeny began playing baseball at age eight at the Community Center. After his playing days ended he began coaching in the Day League, then took over as manager of the Stebbrook Pharmacy team in 1972. Danny earned his Journalism degree from Point Park and went on to a career in professional tennis management with the Pittsburgh Triangles. Despite a busy schedule, he found time to continue coaching his Senior League team. Even while struggling with his illness, he remained with his kids through the end of the 1977 season. In honor of Danny's short but memorable life, a landmark sign was erected at the ballfield which now bears his name. Knowing Danny's love of youngsters and his desire to help them in athletics, it would have delighted him to have his name associated with the field. Otherwise, he probably would have been disturbed by the fuss and festivities. Learn more about Danny McGibbeny.
The Text of Mayor Caligiuri's Proclamation By virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh, I do hereby proclaim Saturday, October 8, 1977, "Danny McGibbeny Day" in the City of Pittsburgh in recognition of a young man who participated at an early age in Little League baseball, going through his childhood in the various steps of his league to become a manager of one of the teams in his adult years, and to a neighborhood boy who participated at Brookline Field and pursued his education and career as General Manager and Coach of the World Team Tennis professional Pittsburgh Triangles, and continued to come back and give of his time managing a Little League team until his death. Danny McGibbeny's life exemplifies the activities of the City of Pittsburgh Parks and Recreation Department program, maturing through the years with the responsibility and desire to put something back. It therefore gives me great pleasure to name the new Brookline Park field "Danny McGibbeny Memorial Field" as a reminder to all those who knew Danny and to serve as an inspiration to the future generation of boys who will participate in the programs. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of Pittsburgh to be affixed. |
