Bob Gibson

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Note: This page links to Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson. For the former major league pitcher who played from 1983 to 1987, click here.

Robert Gibson (Hoot or Gibby) born Pack Robert Gibson

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Weight 195 lb.
• School Creighton University
• Debut April 15, 1959
• Final Game September 3, 1975
• Born November 9, 1935 in Omaha, NE USA

Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1981

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[edit] Biographical Information

". . . he was at his most ferocious when the spotlight shined brightest." - sportscaster Larry Schwartz

"You've got to have an attitude if you're going to go far in this game." - Bob Gibson

Bob Gibson was one of the last of his breed, a tough, durable pitcher who used intimidation to dominate hitters through most of the 1960s. He was 156-81 from 1963 to 1970, including one of the best seasons a pitcher has ever had in 1968: 22-9, 1.12 ERA and 13 shutouts.

Bob Gibson was a basketball star at Creighton University in his hometown of Omaha, NE. Although quite a few players out of Creighton have come to the majors, Gibson was at Creighton during a period (1954-57) when there were no other future major leaguers - from 1932-70 he was the only future major leaguer at Creighton.

He was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1957 and spent much of 1957-60 in the minors, posting a record of 25-25. He broke into the majors in 1959, posting a 3.33 ERA on a team whose ERA was 4.34. At age 23, he was 15 years younger than teammate Stan Musial and two years older than teammate Curt Flood.

Gibson first achieved prominence in 1961 when his 3.24 ERA was fifth-best in the league. He first made the All-Star team in 1962 and first had 200+ strikeouts in a season that same year. His first Gold Glove was in 1965.

He pitched an incredible 28 complete games in both 1968 and 1969. The mound was lowered in 1969, in large part because of Gibson's dominance. Gibson continued to pitch successfully after the mound was lowered, throwing a No-Hitter August 14, 1971 for St. Louis Cardinals.

He started losing his effectiveness in the mid-1970's and retired during the 1975 season.

Gibson was also an excellent hitter. He had a lifetime major league batting average of .206, achieved largely during the second dead-ball era. In his best year with the bat, 1970, he hit .303 in 109 at-bats. In 1972 he had 6 doubles and 5 home runs in 103 at-bats.

Gibson was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on January 15, 1981 by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

After his playing career ended, Gibson was a coach with the New York Mets (1981), Atlanta Braves (1982-84), and St. Louis Cardinals (1995). As of 2004, he was serving as a vice president of the Baseball Assistance Team.

"Have you ever thrown a ball 100 miles an hour? Everything hurts. Even your ass hurts." - Bob Gibson

"Bob wasn't just unfriendly when he pitched. I'd say it was more like hateful." - Joe Torre

[edit] Records

Most Sacrifice Flies, career, by a pitcher - 18

[edit] Notable Achievements

• 8-time NL All-Star (1962, 1965-1970 & 1972)
• NL MVP (1968)
• 2-time NL Cy Young Award Winner (1968 & 1970)
• 1964 World Series MVP
• 1967 World Series MVP
• 9-time NL Gold Glove Winner (1965-1973)
• NL ERA Leader (1968)
• NL Wins Leader (1970)
• NL Strikeouts Leader (1968)
• NL Complete Games Leader (1969)
• 4-time NL Shutouts Leader (1962, 1966, 1968 & 1971)
• 15 Win Seasons: 10 (1962-1966 & 1968-1972)
• 20 Win Seasons: 5 (1965, 1966 & 1968-1970)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 12 (1961-1966, 1968-1972 & 1974)
• 300 Innings Pitched Seasons: 2 (1968 & 1969)
• 200 Strikeouts Seasons: 9 (1962-1966, 1968-1970 & 1972)
• Won two World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals (1964 & 1967)
• Baseball Hall of Fame: Class of 1981
• First Baseball Card appearance 1959 Topps

[edit] Related Sites