Bob Gibson and Perspective

There is no disputing the greatness of former St. Louis Cardinals’ pitcher Bob Gibson.

Additionally I recall fondly when starting pitchers finished games and the stories about Gibson and doing so are legendary.

One additional fly in the ointment that already had two big ones vs Gibson.

Again he was great, going (7-2) in World Series games winning two 7th games, I believe (7-5) and (7-2) but he did lose #7 in 1968.

I knew he gave up a huge home run to Mike Jorgensen, that was a key blow in the Pittsburgh Pirates and not Gibson’s Cardinals winning the N.L. East in 1974.

Now I have just learned what I should have known which is Gibson gave up a 2 out, 2 run home run to Tom Tresh (his rating went up in my book) to tie game 4 of the 1964 World Series.

Some perspective is that Gibson allowed just those two runs and St. Louis won the game with Tim McCarver’s three run homer in the top of the 10th the deciding blow.

Bob was great, arguably ahead of Tom Seaver, clearly behind Sandy Koufax as the best pitcher in say 50 years, but that home run by Tresh which easily could have cost the Cards the Series, does diminish the still awesome, all time rating of Bob Gibson.

Then again, we all should have such a “diminished” rating.

What a sight! The great Bob Gibson, pictured above, pitching.