Keep Gibby in Your Thoughts

[clydepepper]

Hall of Fame right-hander Bob Gibson, who won the Cy Young and National League MVP awards in 1968, sent a letter to living Hall of Famers informing them he is battling pancreatic cancer.

He was the only future Hall-of-Famer to play any of his minor league home games here in Columbus...and that wasn't easy for a black man back then.

[Bigdaddy]

Wow, that is a tough one. Hoping he still has that high, hard fastball to back that terrible disease off the plate.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Tim McCarver tells some great stories about him. Several had nothing to do with baseball really, but rather how he educated McCarver about race.

One was this. In the clubhouse after a game, McCarver tells Gibson, there's a colored gentleman here to see you. Oh? says Gibson. What color is he?

I thought it was priceless.

Maybe the greatest stare from the mound in the history of the game.

[darwinbulldog]

True. I'd sooner go up to bat against Carl Mays.

[Kenny Cole]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

Wow, that is a tough one. Hoping he still has that high, hard fastball to back that terrible disease off the plate.

Yeah. It is basically a death sentence. I hate that. Hope he beats it but the statistics aren't good, particularly at his age.

[CurtisFlood]

I have some great memories of him from my teen age years. He was an awesome pitcher, great competitor, and one tough dude. I'm hoping he can knock this one down and hang around a few more years.

[GasHouseGang]

Originally Posted by CurtisFlood

I have some great memories of him from my teen age years. He was an awesome pitcher, great competitor, and one tough dude. I'm hoping he can knock this one down and hang around a few more years.

I agree with you Bob. I grew up watching Gibson and he was one of the most dominate pitchers of his era. Hang in there Gibby and beat this thing!

[pclpads]

This news totally sucks . . . He signed a Perez-Steele and an 8x10 for me about 20+ years ago at the SF Labor Day show. Among my treasures. Nice man. His book, "Stranger to the Game" is a great read and gives a great accounting of what BS he had to endure.

[the 'stache]

This is terrible news. I have tremendous respect for Gibson, and hope he beats this. But Pancreatic cancer is about as nasty as it comes.

He's emblematic of just how the game has changed. Back in the day, if you crowded the plate, and Gibson was on the mound, you were a dead man.

I was very little when he retired, but I've watched full games of the man in his prime. He's the most intimidating player I've seen in the game.



I can't hear the name Bob Gibson, and not think of his follow through. He ended up halfway between first and home when he was done.

[ClementeFanOh]

My thoughts are with him as he battles this dread disease.

[GasHouseGang]

Bill, someone created this fantasy Gibson In Action 1972 card using a similar photo. It might have been you, I don't remember. But I know someone will recognize their work.

[triwak]

Such sad news, but hoping for the best. Saw him pitch in 1968 (1.12 ERA, pennant-winning season), and also saw him rack up his 2999 strike out. Best pitcher I ever saw or followed!! Positive vibes...

[jbsports33]

My Dad ended up seeing him pitch during the 1967 WS and got his auto, what a player - very sad, God Bless his family

Jimmy

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

Bill, someone created this fantasy Gibson In Action 1972 card using a similar photo. It might have been you, I don't remember. But I know someone will recognize their work.

That was me, in this thread...
http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=219771

[wondo]

Growing up in Detroit, Bob Gibson was the devil - 1968 World Series against the Tigers. I was only seven years old, but I quickly, begrudgingly learned to appreciate his greatness. Hated his guts though, which is the ultimate compliment. Nobody hated Ron Willis. In 74/75 when his decline accelerated, I felt as though I had lost part of my childhood - this man is invincible!

My thoughts and prayers are with Bob Gibson and his family; he will fight as only Bob Gibson can. One of the fiercest competitors to ever don a baseball uniform.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Before the 9th inning of game 7 of the 64 World Series, Gibson went to Johnny Keane and told him he had nothing left. Keane said, you have a four run lead, it's not like you're going to give up four home runs. Gibson proceeds to give up two home runs. Keane leaves him in. He eventually wraps up the game. When asked why on earth he had left Gibson in, Keane said, I had a commitment to his heart.

[GasHouseGang]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

That was me, in this thread...
http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=219771

See I knew someone would let us know who created it! Sorry Darren, I didn't remember who made them, but I saved all the Cardinals!

[doug.goodman]

He graciously signed this for me before a Giants / Braves game at Candlestick in the early 80s.