RIP Bob Gibson

[HanSenSE]

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

Oh, and **** cancer.

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

 

[Neutral Corner]

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

Rest.

 

[micropolitan guy]

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.

 

[Splendid Splinter]

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

 

[Neutral Corner]

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 [URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_McCarver']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."[/URL]

 

[Splendid Splinter]

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

 

[Jake from State Farm]

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

 

[tapintoamerica]

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

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.

 

[swingline]

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.

 

[swingline]

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.

 

[Regan MacNeil]

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.

 

[HanSenSE]

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

 

[HappyCurmudgeon]

He was my Dad's favorite baseball player on his least favorite team.

 

[ChrisLong]

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.

This is unbelievable. The Koufax victory in Game 7 was in the 1965 World Series against the Twins. He pitched a three-hit shutout on 2 days rest. Lou Johnson hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning. Lou Johnson was on the team because Tommy Davis suffered a broken leg. Sweet Lou died today, too.

 

[matt_garth]

I would suggest Mel Blount and Martin Brodeur.

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

 

[Shropshire Slasher]

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.

Musial clears his throat.

 

[mpcincal]

Musial clears his throat.

Who did you think he was referring to when he said Gibson was No. 2?

 

[mpcincal]

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."

I once read a funny story about him and Aaron. Gibson on the mound and Aaron on first, and Hank was caught between bases on an aborted steal. Gibson still had the ball and ran toward Aaron to get him into a possible rundown, except as he was running he started shouting at Aaron, "I got your ass! I got your ass!," and then was able to tag him out himself because he had Aaron laughing too hard to run.

 

[Starman]

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

Wilt: wider lane, offensive goaltending, no over-basket inbounds pass, no leaping from the foul line dunks, several screwarounds with the bonus foul rules

Kareem: NCAA outlaws the dunk

 

[HanSenSE]

Easily the best story I read on Gibson. Of course, it's by Roger Angell.
Bob Gibson Keeps His Distance