I've never met Bob Gibson. I'm not a St. Louis Cardinals fan. So I'm not really sure why it bothers me to 
see many of the keepsakes from his great career up for auction later this month. Among other items, Legendary auctions is selling Gibson's "First Major League Victory" game used baseball, his 1967 World Championship ring, one of his game-used baseball gloves, and his 1971 Gold Glove award. The ring is pictured with this article. You can click on the link below to go directly to the description of the Bob Gibson World Series ring at Legendaryauctions.com.
Gibson was a dominant and intimidating pitcher when I was growing up, and first becoming interested in sports. In a ten year span from 1963-1972, Gibson had 191 Wins and 118 Losses in 332 starts. He had 203 Complete Games in those 332 starts, with 46 shutouts. In 1968, Gibson had a 1.12 ERA and 13 Shutouts, in one of the most dominating pitching years in history. In 1970, Gibson had a record of 23 wins and 7 losses, and he also hit .303 that year. Bob Gibson appeared to be fearless on the mound.
As dominant as Gibson was during the regular season, he actually stepped it up in the postseason. In 9 World Series starts, Gibson had a record of 7 wins and 2 losses, with 2 shutouts, 8 complete games, a 1.89 ERA and .889 WHIP. He struck out 92 batters in the 81 innings he pitched in those 9 starts. Gibson gets my vote as the best clutch pitcher I have ever watched pitch.
So I guess in my mind he was the great and powerful Bob Gibson. He'd never be 73 years old and selling off his baseball keepsakes, he would always be 28 and knocking down baseball's best power hitters. Staring them down and blowing them away on baseball's biggest stage.
What I'd really like to see would be today's Cardinals superstar, Albert Pujols, outbid everybody and win those items at auction. Then bring them to Gibson and say thanks for all you did to help allow our generation to make the money we're making, and here's your memorabilia back. And Gibson could tell Pujols to give them to charity, and if he comes back, he'll knock him on his ass. That would be the Bob Gibson I remember.
My website is tcrowntom.com, my email is tom@tcrowntom.com, and my twitter id is tcrowntom.
Comments
I think Whitey Ford did this recently at the 2008 All-Star game where alot of his memorabilia went for auction. He said it was going to be a for a trust for his grandkids. Gibson isn't broke. He has a full pension from MLB and makes alot of money on the autograph circuit. I guess after awhile, you get tired of looking at it. His records are well documented and I guess he doesn't need the awards around anymore. I wonder if he left ANYTHING for his family.
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