We lost another of the All Time greats....I know he was suffering from cancer so I take solace in that he is not suffering anymore. RIP Bob
Gibson was one of my childhood favorites having grown up in Houston, the Cards minor league affiliate. RIP, Hoot.
Not a guy who was shy about pitching inside. My dad used to talk about Sal Maglie in this way. From Jim Ray Hart: "Between games, Willie Mays came over to me and said, 'Now, in the second game, you're going up against Bob Gibson.' I only half-listened to what he was saying, figuring it didn't make much difference. So I walked up to the plate the first time and started digging a little hole with my back foot...No sooner did I start digging that hole than I hear Willie screaming from the dugout: 'Noooooo!' Well, the first pitch came inside. No harm done, though. So I dug in again. The next thing I knew, there was a loud crack and my left shoulder was broken. I should have listened to Willie."
He and Don Drysdale were not above using a little chin music on guys who crowded the plate. RIP Gibby.
Sixty-eight was to pitching as 1956 was to hitting. It was the last time a pitcher won 30 (Denny McClain). I would wager that or Gibby’s 1.12 ERA never happens again. Because of this, the mound was lowered 20”. Can you imagine facing J.R. Richard or Randy Johnson throwing off a 30” mound?
A phenomenal pitcher. Those great high 90s - 100s mph power pitchers are the best part of the game. Gibson was one of the very best of all time. I can't think of a better pitcher off the top of my head. He was reputed to have a real tough-guy persona as well. I only half-jokingly suggest that he may have had some small part in integration, as the St Louis Cardinals were THE team for most of the South back then due to their radio network. RIP.
I recall reading a SABR article a few years ago - sorry, I didn't keep a copy and I can't find it online, but I'll use my memory to recall as best I can. The question SABR asked - how did Bob Gibson, ERA 1.12, end up at 22-9 while Denny McClain, ERA 1,96 (still very good) came in at 31 wins? Their answer was "run support." As I best recall - the Cards averaged 3.68 runs/game that season, but only 2.68 when Gibson pitched. SABR went on - if the Cards had scored exactly 3 runs in every game Gibby pitched, he would have been 27-5. If they had scored exactly 4 runs when he pitched, he would have been 31-2. BTW, Denny was the AL MVP and Gibby was the NL MVP - the only time in baseball when pitchers won the MVP in both leagues.
First game I ever saw was from top row of old Busch in 68. Cub Scout night. Still recall that starting lineup. Have been a Cardinals fan ever since. If you ever lived in STL or Missouri for that sense, you understand. Lou gone too. Gibson’s numbers are incomprehensible within today’s game. A starting pitcher throwing all 12 innings of a game. Winning a 1-0 shutout where you HR proved to be the winner. Throwing 300 + innings in a regular session. 35 starts with 30 complete games. He was not a fan of signing autographs. Presented him a copy of his book “From Ghetto to Glory” at the SE player exit gate at the Dome sometime in the early 70’s, he would not sign. Ted Simmons signed it! Cardinal baseball! Larry Dierker, Cesar Cedeno, Lance Berkman, Carlos Bertran, Almedmys Diaz —- sure there are others. Numerous Coaches and at least one GM too. **Damn, forgot Darryl Kile
