RIP Bob Gibson

On the 52nd anniversary of his 17-strikeout game against the Tigers in the World Series.

Oh, and fuck cancer.

Cardinals Hall of Famer Bob Gibson dies at 84 after bout with cancer

 

Great pitcher and intimidating as hell when the mood was on him. Master of the high hard one.

Rest.

 

Maybe the greatest RHP of the 1960-1980 era; only Juan Marichal could be considered his equal, IMHO. I think batters were very afraid to stand in against him. And a great teammate, from anything I've read on him.

 

This one hurts. Interviewed him a few times. And he was nothing but nice to me. Rest easy.

 

Sidebar on his Wikipedia page:


"(Hank Aaron told me) 'Don't dig in against Bob Gibson, he'll knock you down. He'd knock down his own grandmother if she dared to challenge him. Don't stare at him, don't smile at him, don't talk to him. He doesn't like it. If you happen to hit a home run, don't run too slow, don't run too fast. If you happen to want to celebrate, get in the tunnel first. And if he hits you, don't charge the mound, because he's a Gold Glove boxer.' I'm like, 'Damn, what about my 17-game hitting streak?' That was the night it ended."

—Dusty Baker[82]

Same source: "Gibson was surly and brusque even with his teammates. When his catcher Tim McCarver went to the mound for a conference, Gibson brushed him off, saying "The only thing you know about pitching is that it's hard to hit."

 

Game 7 - in their prime, who do you want; Koufax or Gibson?

 

We went to Games 4 and 5 in Detroit
My mother asked me if the guy on the mound was always so mean
1.12 ERA in 1968
Brock was just last month

 

I'll take Gibson because I suspect his intimidation might have a carry-over impact. Hitters might need an extra day to get over the trauma.

 

Because my first game was in the mid’70s, I missed seeing him pitch. The greatest Cardinals pitcher with records that will never be broken.

In the list of Cardinals greats, he’s No. 2 by a wide margin. Pujols third. Ozzie fourth.

 

And I think the quote was that McCarver “can’t” hit it. I’ve heard Tim tell the story on many Cards broadcasts.

Brock and Gibson in the same year is somehow appropriate.

 

Koufax only pitched in one Game 7 but he won it and dominated. Gibson pitched in three and won two, but with an ERA barely under 4.00.

 

One of those rare athletes who forced a change in the sport's rules. Who else? George Mikan comes to mind fastest.