The last time Seaford High baseball played in the semi-final round of the DIAA state tournament was 2008. The team, coached by Kenny Cummings, was led by Derrik Gibson who went on to be drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the second round of the 2008 draft. Gibson was the Gatorade Player of the Year, Delaware Coaches Baseball Player of the Year, Baseball America first-team and Louisville Slugger All-American.
Last Sunday, Gibson joined over 300 other Eastern Shore greats when he was inducted in the Eastern Shore Baseball Hall of Fame (ESBHOF) during a ceremony at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. Gibson said of his high school years, “It is surreal because when I played, I played with friends, and I loved it. I wanted to win for the guys, and I did not think of individual accolades.”
Derrik Gibson stands in the Eastern Shore Hall of Fame after his induction in a ceremony held at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury. Gibson is shown with his father Ben Parker, sister Madison, daughter Genevieve, and mother Sharon Parker. Submitted photo
As a professional, Gibson went to play six seasons with the Red Sox organization followed by time with Baltimore, New York, and then with the Colorado Rockies. He received numerous awards including being named Player of the Month, Base Stealer of the Month, Base Runner of the Month, and Defensive Player of the Month. He also earned Red Sox Minor League Baserunner of the Year with 28 stolen bases, was named twice to the all-star team, and in 2009 he set a franchise record with Lowell for most runs (54). Gibson’s professional stats are a .253 batting average and 172 stolen bases. Gibson left baseball in 2018 and said of the induction, “After six years, it brings out the memories and the kid in you and although it feels good to be recognized and to be put in same conversation as people who are in before me, I always played for the team.”
Gibson said of his experiences, “The places I went and people I met, it is surreal, and those 10 years mean something.”
Gibson played with or against some of the best in the game like Mookie Betts, Jacob DeGrom, Jose’ Altuve, Travis Shaw, and Gerrit Cole. “Measuring up, I forget that I was good enough to be on the same field as those guys,” Gibson said. “Some friendships continue while others are very busy but many of us now have families, so our conversations have changed.”
Gibson said he is proud to represent Seaford, “I feel like the reason I did what I did is because I have a lot of pride about Seaford School District. My friends were in Seaford and the school was good and I feel like the Cal Ripken, Jr. came out in me. I am from here, I want to stay here.”
Gibson also pointed to Nanticoke Little League, “I wanted to play with my friends and those names that are up on the board at the park represent NLL. We have a gold medal winner and Major League veteran who is still in the Major League as a coach. Times have changed but it’s something to be proud of. You were players and now you are the parent and representing the town. I remember what it used to be like when there were a thousand little league players, and we ran around the ball field just playing with your friends. We remember what it was like and those were good times.”
After leaving baseball Gibson enrolled in college and earned a nursing RN and now works at TidalHealth Nanticoke. “I work in the progressive care unit, and I love it. I work with and take care of a lot of great people. It feels like this is how I give back to people who supported me, even if I do not know them,” Gibson said, adding that he is humbled. “I felt like everyone wanted me to do good, and it is overwhelming to think about how much people went out of their way. Sometimes you just do not feel that deserving for that many people that care that much about you. That is why I chose this work. I genuinely like taking care of people, it is satisfying work.”
Gibson said no one is better than his coworkers, “I work with other Seaford people and some former high school athletes, and it is like a homecoming, and you feel comfortable.”
When recognized or asked questions about his former career, Gibson said, “Baseball was a different chapter, and this is where I am supposed to be. However, I love talking baseball, I want people to see there is a life outside of baseball, but I also understand it is what I did.”
Patients and families sometimes recognize Derrik and will inquire, “They ask questions and I love it and it brings back that joy and I recognize and remember all the great experiences. It is a total switch and I explain there are times that game is hard, and you take things for granted, there are sick people we care for and God gave you a gift to play a sport and be good at it but a gift also to care for others. There are similarities and differences. It is satisfying when they get to leave the hospital to go home.”
Gibson keeps his roots grounded in Seaford where he loves his time with his daughter and giving back to the community that he feels helped him throughout his baseball career.
The ESBHOF was opened in 1997 and recognizes the amateur, semi-pro, and professionals in baseball on the Delmarva Peninsula. The Hall of Fame is located inside Arthur W. Perdue Stadium, home of the Delmarva Shorebirds, and is open during every home game. Other Seaford inductees include William “Stoney” Briggs (2010), Delino Deshields (2010), Mike Neill (2009), and Bobby Vantrease (1998).
The 2024 class also includes: Steve Petitt (player), Thomas D’Armi, Jr. (manager), Orem E. Robinson, Jr. (player), Zack Gelof (player), Wayne Byrd, Sr. (player), Bobby Brown (umpire), and Mike Cherry (player).
