Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson has died after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. Gibson was 84 years old and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1981. While Stan Musial is considered the best player in St. Louis Cardinals history. Gibson is the best pitcher in the history of the Cardinals.
Bob Gibson, alltime great pitcher, October stalwart and universally admired competitor, RIP. 84.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 3, 2020
The Early Years
Bob Gibson was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1935 and was the youngest of seven children. His older brother Josh coached him into becoming a two-sport star in baseball and basketball. Gibson did not play baseball in high school until his senior year. Gibson received a basketball scholarship from Creighton University where hs is still fifth all-time in free throws made. He also was a standout baseball player for the Blue Jays. Gibson signed with the Harlem Globetrotters right out of college. His roommate, the late Meadowlark Lemon had said that Gibson was a better basketball player than a baseball player. Gibson signed with the Cardinals in 1957 and made his major league debut in 1959.
Hall of Fame Pitcher
Bob Gibson will go down in history as one of the greatest pitchers in Major League history. He was known as one of the great intimidators when he was on the mound. Gibson won two Cy Young awards in his career in 1968 and 1970. 1968 was known as the “Year of the Pitcher” led by Gibson’s greatness. Not only did Gibson win the Cy Young but he also won the MVP. Gibson went 21-12 with a 1.12 ERA and a 0.853 WHIP with 268 strikeouts in 304 innings pitched. Gibson also had 28 complete games and 13 shutouts in 34 starts. His 1968 season is widely considered one of the greatest years by a pitcher in the history of the game.
Gibson retired at 39 years old with a record of 251-174. and an ERA of 2.91 with 3,117 strikeouts in 3,884 innings. He also had 255 complete games and 56 shutouts in 482 career starts.
His Legacy
Gibson attributes his will to win as something his brother Josh instilled in him when he was growing up. In an interview Gibson said this about his brother Josh:
“You know how you’re growing up and people are always telling you, It’s not whether you won or lost, but how you played the game? He didn’t have that thought. Winning is everything — that’s the attitude he had, and I grew up with that. It was like, Hey, I’m not out here just to play and have fun — I’m out here to win. I want to be better than the next guy.”
During his Hall of Fame induction Gibson had this quote:
“I want to be remembered as a person, a competitor, that gave 100 percent every time I went out on the field.”
Gibson is the second legendary St. Louis Cardinal to pass away this year. Hall of Famer Lou Brock passed away on September 6th. It has been a tough year for Hall of Famers as Tom Seaver and Al Kaline also passed away. Gibson’s death comes on the same day as maybe his best pitching performance of his career. 52 years ago in 1968 Gibson had a 17 strikeout game in the World Series in a 4-0 shutout against the Detroit Tigers.
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