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Bob Gibson, a name synonymous with fierce competitiveness and pitching dominance, left a lasting mark on Major League Baseball. Born Robert Gibson on November 9, 1935, in Omaha, Nebraska, his journey to baseball immortality was one of overcoming adversity and unwavering determination. Gibson is arguably the greatest pitcher in the history of the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He was known as a fierce competitor and definitely not one that anyone crowded the plate on.
Humble Beginnings and Health Issues at an Early Age
Gibson was the youngest amongst seven siblings. His father passed away of tuberculosis before his birth, leaving his mother to try and provide for seven children on her own. Financial difficulties weren’t his only challenges as he had to overcome health issues at an early age.
Gibson contracted rickets at a young age and barely survived a bout with pneumonia. Additionally, he had asthma and a heart murmur. However, none of these conditions seemed to slow Gibson down when it came to athletics. While attending Omaha Technical High School, he excelled in baseball, track, and basketball. He continued his athletic pursuits at Creighton University, where he starred in basketball and baseball. Notably, before fully committing to baseball, he even played for the Harlem Globetrotters.
Gibson Signed by the Cardinals
In 1957, Gibson signed with St. Louis, marking the beginning of a legendary 17-year career. He made his major league debut in 1959, and it wasn’t long before he established himself as one of baseball’s top pitchers. However, everything didn’t click right off the bat as the right-hander lost eleven of his first seventeen games. His early struggles got him sent to the minors twice during that period. However, once he figured it out, there was no looking back. He went on to post thirteen consecutive winning seasons.
Intimidating Presence on the Mound
Gibson’s pitching style was characterized by his intimidating presence on the mound, his blazing fastball, and his unwavering focus. He possessed a rare combination of skill and intensity that made him a nightmare for opposing hitters. Gibson worked quickly, relying on pinpoint control of a vicious slider and two different fastballs for his success. His delivery, in which the right side of his body hurtled violently toward the first base line after he released the ball. This gave hitters the impression that he was exploding toward the plate. Furthermore, the righty would not hesitate to throw inside if he thought the hitter was crowding the plate or just looked too comfortable.
The intimidating righty took full advantage of his reputation as a pitcher who would not hesitate to hit a batter. However, Gibson felt that reputation was undeserved since he rarely hit batters on purpose. But if he felt a batter was too comfortable in the batter’s box or was crowding the plate, he would not hesitate to fire one inside. Furthermore, if the batter got knocked down or hit, that was their problem. As far as he was concerned, the plate was his territory, and if a batter tried to take some of that away, he wouldn’t hesitate to send them a message. Gibson made no apologies.
Legendary Competitor
The righty was well known as an intense competitor with an unwavering will to win. He would not fraternize with opposing players, even when he played with them in All-Star Games. Joe Torre told a tale of catching Gibson in the 1965 All-Star Game. After the game, Torre complimented him on his performance. He didn’t say a word. He showered, got dressed, and left.
Gibson was the first to admit that he was competitive. Everything he did was geared toward winning. However, he didn’t agree with some harsher descriptions of his attitude.
“I’d like to think that the term intensity comes much closer to summarizing my pitching style than do qualities like meanness and anger, which were merely devices. My pitching career, I believe, offers a lot of evidence to the theory that baseball is a mental discipline as much as a physical one. The part of pitching that separates the stars from everyone else is about 90 percent mental. That’s why I considered it so important to mess with a batter’s head without letting him inside mine.”
Record Breaking Season and Legendary Post-Season Performances Cement Gibson’s Legacy
Gibson’s career statistics speak volumes. The righty finished his career with 251 wins, 3,117 strikeouts, and an ERA of 2.91. Gibson’s dominance reached its zenith in 1968, a season so dominant that it led to changes in baseball rules. That year, he posted a microscopic 1.12 ERA, a feat that remains one of the most remarkable pitching performances in baseball history. He won the National League Cy Young Award and the National League Most Valuable Player Award that season. Additionally, Gibson won the honor of Most Valuable Player in the 1964 and 1967 World Series by leading the Cardinals to victories. The flamethrowing righty seemed to shine the most on the big stage.
Gibson finished his career with two Cy Young awards, two World Series MVP awards, and one National League MVP. Furthermore, he was also a tremendous fielder winning nine Gold Glove awards over the course of his 17-year career.
Legacy of Determination and Excellence
Beyond his statistical achievements, Gibson was known for his unwavering competitiveness. He demanded excellence from himself and his teammates, and he never backed down from a challenge.
Gibson’s contributions to baseball were recognized with his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981. He passed away on October 2, 2020, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations of baseball fans.
In summary, Bob Gibson was more than just a great pitcher. He was a symbol of toughness, determination, and excellence. His impact on baseball will forever be remembered.
