Bob Gibson – Cardinals Icon & Hall of Fame Pitcher
Bob Gibson (November 9, 1935 – October 2, 2020) was one of the most dominant and intimidating pitchers in Major League Baseball history. He spent his entire career (1959–1975) with the St. Louis Cardinals and is best remembered for his legendary 1968 season.
- Full name: Pack Robert Gibson
- Nickname: “Hoot”
- Born: Omaha, Nebraska
- MLB team: St. Louis Cardinals (1959–1975)
- Hall of Fame: Inducted 1981
- Awards: 2× Cy Young (1968, 1970), NL MVP (1968), 2× World Series MVP (1964, 1967), 9× Gold Glove
Cardinals retired #45.
Gibson was known for elite command, a devastating slider, and fearless pitching inside. Over 17 seasons, he built a career résumé that defines “ace”:
- 251 wins and 3,117 strikeouts
- 2.91 career ERA
- Two World Series championships (1964, 1967)
Gibson’s 1968 season is often cited as the greatest pitching season of the modern era.
- 1.12 ERA (live-ball era record)
- 22–9 with 268 strikeouts
- 28 complete games and 13 shutouts
- Won both the Cy Young and NL MVP
Gibson’s dominance helped define an era. The year after 1968, MLB lowered the pitching mound as offense had dropped to historic lows. He also threw a no-hitter in 1971, and later served as a pitching coach and instructor.
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