Bob Gibson 80 today. Any memories???

[tjb1952tjb]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

Met him at the All-Century Team gala in Atlanta in 1999. While he was signing my baseball, I said, "At one time you and my grandfather were the only two pitchers with 3,000 strikeouts." He continued to sign the ball, handed it back to me, and walked away.

Really nice.......................

[pclpads]

If you read Gibby's autobio - "Stranger to the Game" - you would have a better appreciation for the indignities he encountered while playing and post career. Those likely go a long way to explaining any brusqueness at signing events. He signed an 8 x 10 for me many years ago at the Labor Day Show in SF. Couldn't have been nicer.

[h2oya311]

I purchased this card raw on eBay in 2013. The seller stated: "I wanted to let you know, this very card was on display earlier this summer when Bob Gibson's statue at Omaha's Werner Park was presented. Bob commented that he only remembered seeing one other and that was many years ago!"

Happy birthday Bob!

[ALR-bishop]

Originally Posted by pclpads

If you read Gibby's autobio - "Stranger to the Game" - you would have a better appreciation for the indignities he encountered while playing and post career. Those likely go a long way to explaining any brusqueness at signing events. He signed an 8 x 10 for me many years ago at the Labor Day Show in SF. Couldn't have been nicer.

Agree with this. He once told a reporter that after he retired he would just be another N (his word) from Omaha. His competitive attitude overcame a lot, but isolated him some. He could be brusque with teammates as well..."McCarver, get back behind the plate, because the only thing you know about pitching is that you can not hit it"....per MCCarver, with respect

He was a pretty good basketball player too

[Jay Wolt]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

He was a pretty good basketball player too

Damn straight! Didn't he play w/ the Harlem Globetrotters during baseball's off season in the late 50's?

[Howe’s Hunter]

but he posted this on Facebook yesterday, and I never knew this about my family....


I was at the game with my dad and granddad on July 15, 1967 when a line drive by Roberto Clemente of the Pittsburgh Pirates hit him in the shin, breaking his leg. He pitched to 3 more batters before falling from the mound when the leg finally snapped. Made quite an impression on a 15 year old kid!

[jimivintage]

Anyone have a current pic of Gibson?

[slipk1068]

Originally Posted by pclpads

If you read Gibby's autobio - "Stranger to the Game" - you would have a better appreciation for the indignities he encountered while playing and post career. Those likely go a long way to explaining any brusqueness at signing events. He signed an 8 x 10 for me many years ago at the Labor Day Show in SF. Couldn't have been nicer.

It appears he lashes out at the fans who allow him to earn a decent living. I will not add to his bankroll by paying for his autograph or his book. There's no excuse or justification for bad behavior. It''s sad the way he was treated but even sadder that he is angry at the fans who admire him

[Exhibitman]

Just goes to show who he is, David. He was relentless and often brutal even to his teammates when he played. Many thought he had to be like that to focus on the game, when really, he was and is just a mean man. Age apparently hasn't mellowed him much. The one time I got his autograph, at a show around 1988 in SF, he was cordial but not engaging and accommodated my request to use the red sharpie I brought for the signature. That card [1968 Topps] got burgled, unfortunately, around 25 years ago. A few years ago I got this vintage signed team issue that had been used as a PC back in 1969:



Derek, that pre-rookie is fantastic.

[Beatles Guy]

Here he is at the signing a couple of weeks ago. I asked him how he was and he said "if I was any better, I would scare myself".

[brianp-beme]

So far with the anecdotes it sounds like Bob was at his surliest between the late 80's and late 90's. Perhaps he just had a rough decade.

Brian

[Howe’s Hunter]

Having lived in Omaha for the past 11 years, I've often wondered where the ghetto here in town was at that time. From everyone I've spoken to who knew him in high school, at Creighton, etc., he came from a working class family in mid-town. Not exactly what you would call ghetto by any stretch of the imagination.

Guessing the title "From Middle-Class to Upper Crust" wouldn't sell as many books.