Bob Gibson,
pitcher,
St. Louis Cardinals, throws R, born 11-9-1935.
Gibson spent his entire career pitching for the Cardinals, from 1959 to 1975. He was possibly the most dominant pitcher of his era, including Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. Gibson won the NL Cy Young Award twice, in 1968 and 1970. His line from the 1968 season reads as follows:
22 W, 9 L, 34 G, 34 GS, 28 CG, 13 SHO, 304.7 IP, 198 H, 38 ER, 11 HR, 62 BB, 268 K, 1.12 ERA
This record is, anecdotally, the chief reason that the pitcher's mound was lowered following the 1968 season. Pitching was dominant overall that year (the NL as a whole saw a 2.90 ERA) but Gibson's achievement was, and is, truly remarkable. He made eight All-Star Game appearances and was recognized as the NL MVP in 1968. Gibson had a reputation as a headhunter who was willing to pitch inside and knock down hitters.
Gibson is still in 11th place on the career strikeout list, with 3117. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1981 with 84% of the vote. He was regarded as an excellent fielder by his contemporaries, winning the Gold Glove for pitchers from 1965 to 1973. In 1964 and 1967, he was the World Series MVP. Before he began his baseball career, Gibson played basketball for the Harlem Globetrotters.