Notes Regarding Kirk Gibson

The day after Game 1 of the 1988 World Series won by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Kirk Gibson’s incredible home run, I placed a fairly early LA. time call to the great sportscaster Bob Costas (one of the few still working these 28 years LATER and it seems Bob Costas excelled hosting a non sports show called “Later”),

As one might expect Costas was ready and on his way early to Dodger Stadium for game 2 of the Dodgers/A’s World Series. I brought up that he might note Gibson had homered in his last World Series at bat in 1984, all but clinching what is still the last Tigers’ World Series title.

Gibson also had a hit in his last at bat in the one post season series in which his team lost (he was in 5, contributing mightily to two title teams each the last won by that franchise in what is easily the team’s longest title drought since winning its first title), a single in the ninth inning of game 5 vs the eventual champion Minnesota Twins, who pulled a major upset beating Detroit 4 games to 1 in the 1987 ALCS.

Gibson was a tremendous player, who will never get serious consideration for the wharped Hall of fame and while I agree that high standards would keep even a Gibson out, I am appalled lesser players are in and of course true greats are denied entry.