That's all you need to say. One of the most intimidating pitchers to ever play the game. He was quoted once, remarking on the alleged antics of Babe Ruth in the '32 World Series, that if any player ever pointed to where he would hit the next pitch, "I would drill him. In his right ear and out his left."
The question sometimes comes up among baseball fans, "If you had to win one game and you could have any pitcher, who would you take?" Gibson is always on the short list of choices.
His 1968 season still stands as one of the greatest seasons ever turned in by a pitcher. His earned run average was an astonishing 1.12! Perhaps more amazing - he lost 9 games that year. How do you allow, on average, just over a run a game and lose nine? Nineteen sixty-eight is referred to as the year of the pitcher - batting numbers were down all over the league and they lowered the mound in 1969 to take a little edge away from the pitchers. Gibby probably wasn't getting a lot of support that year.
Perhaps even more remarkable than his 1.12 ERA was his number of complete games. Are you ready for this? He completed 28 games that year. And for good measure, he completed 28 in '69, too. Times have certainly changed.
The card is a 1965 Topps which is one of the best-looking sets ever produced, in my opinion. This design is what Topps Heritage next year will use. Start saving your pennies now.
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