Baseball icon and longtime Cardinals ace Bob Gibson has died at the age of 84 after a battle with cancer, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
As Hummel notes, Gibson passed away on the 52nd anniversary of one of his greatest performances – a 17-strikeout effort against the Tigers in Game 1 of the 1968 World Series. It was one of countless gems turned in by the right-handed Gibson during his Hall of Fame career, which spanned from 1959-75.
Always known as an incredibly fierce competitor and a seemingly inexhaustible workhorse, Gibson pitched to a brilliant 2.89 ERA, compiled a 251-147 record during the regular season and amassed 12 seasons with at least 200 innings – including a pair of years with upward of 300 frames. But Gibson was even more effective in the postseason, where he put up a 1.89 ERA and went 7-2 across 81 innings to help the Cardinals to two World Series titles. His playoff heroics will always be part of baseball lore.
Gibson went to nine All-Star Games and won nine Gold Gloves, two Cy Youngs and an MVP during his tremendous career. He’s undoubtedly one of the best pitchers in the history of the sport, and everyone in the baseball world is surely sad that he’s gone. We at MLBTR offer condolences to Gibson’s family, friends and the Cardinals organization.
RIP, Mr. Gibson
Rest in peace.
Wow. What a tough year. Now Mr. Gibson. If there ever was a pitcher who commanded the respect of Mr., it was Bob Gibson.
When the baseball card collecting craz hit in the 80’s, it was an unbelievable boom in the 1950’s & 1960’s era baseball cards. Most of the baby boomers got their cards thrown away after they moved out of their parents house or when they left for Vietnam. In the Mid-80’s, retired Hall of Fame ballplayers began getting paid big bucks to sign pictures, baseball bats and memorabilia. I was fortunate enough to be the person who set at the signing tables with both Brock and Gibson on several different occasions in several different cities. Lou Brock was a true gentleman in every respect!!! Unlike Lou Brock….It took a while for Bob Gibson to warm up to people. However, once he did, he’d open up with priceless stories of his golden career. I was in heaven in one conversation in particular with Brock and Gibson. I’d ask them about their team picture on the front of a 1968 Sports Illustrated on which the Headline was “The First Million Dollar Baseball Team”. They lagged. They said the other MLB teams players called them the “Fat Cats!!!” That one question opened up a conversation between
That one question—- opened up a conversation between the two —- of their stories from their 1960’s teams and the players they played with!!! I was in heaven just sitting their. I kept my mouth shut and just listened. That was an unforgettable experience of mine which could never be topped. I truly respected both players. Both for their playing days and the person they both became after their playing days!!!
And I thought tonight couldn’t get any worse…rest in peace to a legend.
I’m a big Cardinal fan and even though I’m only 38 and guys like Brock and Gibson’s playing careers were before my time they themselves and the Cardinals kept their legacy alive with my generation. By brother is in his 50s he loved Brock. Willie McGee is my favorite player of all time even though I only remember the tail end of his career(past his prime maybe but super clutch).
Uhh 2020 another reason 2020 sucks
Man tough blow. I’d bet even now Bob Gibson could give you an inning or two if an MLB team put him in the game
Farewell Bob. A legend for sure. Rest in peace.
RIP to one of the BEST to ever do it. I know we say “one of the best to ever do it” or “GOAT” a lot but Bob Gibson was truly one of the greatest pitchers to ever step on a mound
This year can’t get any worse… A true legend of the game. RIP
Never say “this year can’t get any worse” because 2020 might hear you. There are lot more legends that remain that I hope to keep until at least 2021.
RIP Mr. Gibson
R.I.P.
He was a beast on the mound, RIP.
Extremely saddened by this. I’m a 43 year old lifelong Cardinals fan who grew up hearing stories about Gibson among many others from my Grandfather. My son wears #45 for Gibson as he’s also a pitcher. First Brock now Gibson but must say I am more shocked by this one. RIP Mr. Gibson may your family find comfort and peace. Tip of the cap, Go Cards
I am a 60 yr old Cub fan, and remember the Cards’ dominance in the late 1960s, and especially Brock and Gibson. Hated the Cardinals during the regular season, but always rooted for them in the playoffs for all of my life.
Sad to hear of Bob Gibson’s passing. One of the greatest pitchers in MLB history. Watched this guy mow down my Bosox back in 67! What a talent!! RIP Mr. Gibson
RIP to a legend
One of the greatest to ever grace the mound. No man could out-compete Bob Gibson; a true leader, a champion of civil rights, and one of baseball’s immortals.
One of the absolute best in the history of the sport. Baseball in STL won’t ever be the same without Gibby, Brock, Musial, and the rest of the red jacket club. It’s been a hard year for STL baseball but the future is bright! RIP all Cardinals Legends!!!!!!!
RIP Bob
St. Peter, don’t dig in too much at the gate…
Good advice, even for Peter. RIP.
Rest In Peace.
He was an amazing person and pitcher. A very sad day for baseball.
Heaven must of needed an All Star
And to think 2020 could get worse. RIP to a legend.
Legend ⚾️
RIP
He was so ridiculously good that they lowered the mound so batters could hit him.
He figured in huge with league lowering the mound for sure, but let’s not forget Gibby wasn’t afraid of letting loose with one high and tight back then either. Something that has been forbidden seemingly forever now, but guys like Gibby, Ryan, Bob Veale etc.. Really new how to make anyone sitting on the inside part of the plate, or diving over the plate nearly non existent. Something players of the last 2-3 decades have made a habit of.
Returning the game to where the pitcher owns the plate would make it better imo. look at tapes of players.. Like Derek Jeter and even Dustin Pedroia.. Those guys would jump over the plate. It’s wrong. Gibby types would own them facing them 1 time..
A difference is that Gibson has command of his pitches whereas guys like Ryan and Veale were wild. Also, hitters in Gibson’s heyday weren’t nearly as good as they are today. Back then, most middle infielders and catchers were automatic outs. You could put the ball on the tee and those guys couldn’t hit it over the fence. Today they can all take you deep. Gibson was a great pitcher but let’s face it: the weakness of the hitters made it less stressful to pitch back then than it is today. In that regard, the game is better now than it was then (as are most things).
I get what ur saying CeyHey, but both Ryan and Veale could be selectively wild I think also. Ryan especially so. Ryan had the habit of throwing behind a hitter’s head on purpose for intimidation purposes, he used that as a tool and continued doing that until the latter part of the 1970’s. It served it’s purpose having hitter’s bailing out often. Dwight Evans refused to play against him after nearly being beaned afterwards. The tactic worked. Was it wrong? I dunno, but HOF voters thought not. I do know, or think that the entire part of the plate belongs to the pitcher and the last few decades, many ballplayers dive over it. A definite no-no in times past. Bruce “Buster” Kison earned the nickname.
Yes.. Gibby was a great 1 and may never be another like him. RH version of lefty Carlton. 2 best I’ve ever seen.
@Cey Hey – thumbs up because yours is an interesting take. Kind of agree with you about the reduced power of the era compared to today but you’re ignoring sneaky 60’s small ball. Has – as an example – all the bulking up improved or quickened baserunning?
Interesting point but I must bring up that Gibson was striking out hitters when the league strikeout totals were less than half of what they are today. He was mowing them down when the league was filled with contact hitters and guys that did anything to get on base. Not today where it’s homer in or K
One of the greatest Ever to pitch. We not a legend tonight.
RIP bob
One of the greatest of all time.
RIP Mr. Gibson
Rip
Great, tough, smart, talented and mean! A true American legend.
One of the greatest athletes of all time. In addition to baseball, he played basketball at Creighton and with the Harlem Globe Trotters. He could hit. He was one of the greatest pitchers of all time. You DID NOT CROWD THE PLATE AGAINST HIM! He would but you an your butt if you did. RIP Bob Gibson. A hero of this little skinny white kid of the 70’s.
he was a real pitcher! hes in my top 7. higher than Drysdale on my personal faves
One if my three favs growing up – Gibson, Koufax and Marichal.
RIP Bob.
In the late 1960s as an adolescent at a church camp,, I was in awe of a minister who said he got a hit off Bob Gibson as a high schooler in Omaha, Just Friday morning I was telling my daughter about prominent African Americans from Omaha, including Gibson and Gale Sayers, who died September 23.
RIP to one of the greatest of all time. Condolences to Cards fans.
Gibby a legend. I wish could have seen him play in person.
RIP to a top three all time pitcher and competitor. May you brush back all the angels in heaven with your heater
The ultimate big-game pitcher of my childhood. One of my favorite Gibson memories was him being the TV color commentator one winter for the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association. He did the games right up until the start of baseball spring training.
Nuts
If you get a hold of the book “1968 Tigers, the last real world champions” it’s well worth a read. Talks through (obviously) the 1968 Tigers WS win, with lots of characters including Denny McLain, Al Kaline, sadly also recently passed, Mickey Lolich… and eventually the series itself against the Cards and Gibson.
The recurring theme was that they were in awe of Gibson. What shocks me is that in 1968, and with his 1.12 ERA he went 22-9, when wins as a pitcher actually meant something. How in a giraffe’s trousers did he lose 9?
He lost nine because Major League Baseball was dreadful in 1968. The champion Tigers slashed at .235/.307/.385. Their .692 OPS led the American League. In 2019 it would have been better than two of the 30 teams: the 105-loss Marlins and 114-loss Tigers. In ’68, soft tossers regularly pitched complete shutouts against brutal lineups. The New York Yankees batted .214 as a team. In ’68, the Los Angeles Dodgers hit 67 HR in 162 games, second-worst to the Astros’ 66. In 2020, the Dodgers hit 118 HR in 60 games. In ’68, only five teams hit that many over 1962 games. By the way, 1968 was my first year as a baseball fan. At the time, I thought it was amazing. But looking back today, I’d say the game and players have gotten quite a bit better. The good old days really weren’t all that good.
Crey Hey-The good old days really were that good.
This home run,walk,strikeout stuff is for the birds.
No DH meant that managers actually had to have knowledge,experience,and a brain to manage in both leagues.Now they have to know how to speak to the camera,and use. Statistics instead of their feel for engths and weaknesses.
The games did not take three hours to play,and there were actually many nine inning doubleheaders.
People could actually afford to attend games with the heir whole family.
Pitchers actually pitched full so seasons,and,believe it or not,complete games.
One could say that the players are better athletes,but is it because they want to be or they want to make more money?
Bob Gibson,like other HOF’s,played because he loved the competition which he knew made him a better ball player.
And Ryan and Bob Veale were not wild.Not as accurate as Gibson,and Ryan was.a HOF’er,but both fine pitchers.Bob Prince used to say that Veale could throw a strawberry through a locomotive.
Rest In Peace Bob Gibson.You were the greatest of competitors.
People can still afford to attend games. Player salaries are higher than ever. Ryan and Veale would both walk well over 100 batters per season. The DH adds more strategy, not less. There is no strategy for having a pitcher bunt because he is incapable of handling a bat. I watched baseball then and now. The old-timers were not better. Guys couldn’t hit despite a large number of pitchers being soft tossers. The 1968 Tigers had five guys play on the left side of the infield: Ray Oyler, Dick Tracewski, Tom Matchick, Don Wert, and Eddie Mathews. Those five batted a cumulative .181. Pitiful, and this was a championship team. Everything evolves and gets better. Some people need to stop living in the past.
Cey Hey-Wild pitchers do not make the HOF nor successfully pitch for many years.
DH adds no strategy.
Everybody was a soft tossed compared to today.So what.They did not go to the DL every year.
You are stuck on the Tigers as some sort of representative team.
Do you enjoy the slowness of today’s game.?
I never said that the old timers were better players.
I said that it was a better game.
Some people should quit being stuck in their ways and listen open minded to other’s opinions.
The first year I collected baseball cards was Bob Gibson’s historic year of 1968. The deaths this week of Gibson, Lou Johnson, and Jay Johnstone mean 15 players from that Topps set have died in 2020. This includes four Hall of Famers and four other players who made all-stars teams Here are the 15 who have permanently been scratched off that ’68 checklist.
Glenn Beckert, Lou Brock, Horace Clarke, Bob Gibson, Lou Johnson, Jay Johnstone, Al Kaline, Bob Lee, Bobby Locke, Mike McCormick, Don Pavletich, Mike Ryan, Tom Seaver, Tony Taylor, and Jimmy Wynn,
First baseball card I ever saw was a 1968 Gil Hodges. Love that set. Very nostalgic for me. 1970 was the first year I collected.
Ron Perranoski has died and can be added to the list.
Only current legends left i can think of are, AARON ,LASORDA ,MAYS ,UECKER, SCULLY,RYAN, and a cpl of them arent exactly in great health either.
Well, Yaz is still around. Just turned 81 a little over a month ago.
And Whitey ford, he will be 92 end of the month.
Is whitey really a legend? he did cheat too…
do marichal and koufax count as legends too?
Rod Carew, Brooks Robinson, Luis Aparicio, Billy Williams. The list of living legends is quite long and includes some non-Hall of Famers like Dick Allen, Maury Wills, and a guy in my town, Bobby Shantz.
The actual layout of the game was changed because he was to dominate on the mound a baseball legend for sure and a great person he will be missed.
I’m a Dodger fan for life but Bob Gibson was the second best pitcher I saw EVER after Koufax
And a one time Globetrotter to boot
Kaline, Seaver, Brock, Gibson. We’re losing all of our heroes. And I see one of my personal favorites, Lou Johnson, also passed away. RIP to all.
Rest In Peace. Another baseball giant gone.
Very sad news. Played the game the way it was meant to be played. RIP.
Those of us who Saw Mr. Gibson play he was just awesome.
Those of us who Saw bob play it was a treat Rest In Peace.
As a lifelong Cards fan, he was a one of a kind and a joy to watch. Games were always fast when he pitched. With Lou leading off and Gibby pitching it was a treat. RIP to my two favorites!
28 complete games in one year – WOW !!!!
RIP, sir.
I remember his Primatime Mist commercials – very similar to the Verlander allergy commercials. Things don’t change as much as people think, sometimes.
My childhood has taken some big his this year
My absolute favorite player as a child and into my early teens. He defined “competitive,” as witnessed by his 81 innings pitched in 9 World Series starts. Rest In Peace Mr. Gibson.
One of the greats. RIP Bob.
Where are the modern day Bob Gibson’s?
They are all out with arm injuries.
Anyone whose fondest childhood memory is the 1967 Impossible Dream Red Sox is a bit sadder this morning, even if he was the subject of a lot of nasty feelings…..man, he was tough. I barely remember Kofax and Marichal (not a lot of NL games on TV back then), but Gibson, I’ll never forget.
A life well lived, on many fronts.
RIP Bob, thank you for all you gave to the game.
Growing up in Michigan during the 60’s we didn’t see many N.L. games on TV. Tiger games, that’s about it. But during the day we’d listen to the Cubbies on the radio and often vs. the Cards. When the ’67 and ’68 World Series games showcased Gibson and the Cards I finally got to see him…live.
That 1st game of the ’68 WS when he mowed down my Tigers was unbelievable. Thanks for the memories, Bob Gibson.
Never like to hear news like this. He was one of the good one all around
Agree about Koufax, Gibson & Marichal being the stud NL pitchers thru most of 60s, then also Seaver in 69. While Koufax probably had the somewhat greater 5 yr run (62-66), I found Gibson to be the most intimidating pitcher of that era. And his 68 year 1.12 ERA and 67-68 WS performances were for the ages.
Rod-I think that Koufax had the greatest five year run of anybody ever.
Yet another legendary HOF pitcher succumbing in a year most of us would like to forget. Bob Gibson now joins Tom Seaver, each of whom were among my three favorite pitchers growing up. Southpaw Sandy Koufax who is still with us at 84 is the third. As I post as a senior citizen, I would still pick this trio to sit atop my all-time fantasy rotation. Each were great regular season pitchers in their prime but equally outstanding in October when it counted the most. RIP Bob Gibson.
Watched Bob Gibson on a sports show about 20 years ago. He told the interviewer that the way he would handle Barry Bonds was to pitch him inside. When reminded that Bonds liked it inside, he said “he might like ice cream, too, but I bet he wouldn’t like a gallon of it”. Both of them in their prime… I would pay A LOT of money for a ticket to it.
Probably voted “pitcher least likely to have his mound charged” many times.
The first World Series I remember seeing was 1964, while I was only 7, and didn’t understand everything going on, I knew Bob Gibson was the hero and over the next few years I was fortunate enough to see the rest of his career unfold. As I continued to learn more about baseball I became even more impressed with his accomplishments. With his drive & determination, it wouldn’t have mattered what era Gibson pitched in, He would adapted to whatever was necessary to succeed. Just as now, only a few pitchers rise to the top for an extended period. There are several good books to explore Gibson’s life & career, including his autobiography. The best one I’ve found is October 1964 by David Halberstam, one of the 10 best baseball books ever written. That makes four baseball heroes we’ve lost since March (Kaline, Brock, Seaver & Gibson.). Goodbye Mr. Gibson, thank you for the memories and inspiration.
Can we ever stop the stupid and pointless argument of comparing of players from one era to another? There is no doubt athletes today are bigger & stronger, but if players from other eras lived now they would be bigger & stronger too. Mike Trout would have been a top player in 1920 and Bob Gibson use the tools and training available now if he was playing in this era. Forget the numbers and know Gibson was one of the three best pitchers of the era he played in. His drive, determination & pride were what set him apart from others with equal talent. The same qualities that separate the great from the near great in any era.
Several has mentioned Gibson playing with the Globetrotters. Can you name the other HOF player to play with them?
Wilt chamberlain.
I started watching baseball regularly back in 1971 towards the end of Gibson’s career. I loved when he and Steve Carlton would match up against each other. It was going to be a nail biter as only 1-2 runs would be scored. Imagine what the Cardinals would have been like if they hadn’t traded Carlton and those two were in the same rotation their entire careers. The cards would have won another two World Series.
I remember Tim Mc Carver once told the time he went to talk to Gibson on the mound and Gibson yelled at him “Get off the mound and get back behind the plate, The only thing you know about pitching is you can’t hit it”
In another game, Gibson was getting hammered. When they finally came out to get him, he said, “What took you so long? Can’t you see I’ve got nothing?”
Within 48 hrs, bob gibson , jay johnstone,ron perranowski, and charlie haeger all dead ( altho haeger is a suicide after he committed murder)
Plus a guy i never heard of, lou johnson
Johnstone died last weekend.
“His playoff heroics will always be part of baseball lore.“
He never pitched in a playoff game. Only World Series.
One of the very best pitchers of all-time..