On the blog today, we go and add the great Bob Gibson to my fun new 1970 "20-Win Circle" sub-set, celebrating the 20-game winners of 1969:
Gibson
had a "Gibsonesque" season in 1969, going 20-13 with a 2.18 ERA over 35
starts, completing an amazing 28 games while tossing four shutouts,
striking out 269 batters.
"Gibby"
was also on his way to his second Cy Young Award in 1970, finishing the
season with a brilliant 23-7 record, along with a 3.12 ERA and a
career-best 274 strikeouts over 34 starts and 294 innings.
He also brought home his sixth of what would end up being nine Gold Gloves, while making his seventh All-Star team.
The 23 wins in 1970 marked his fifth 20-win season in six years,
eventually settling for 251 wins as a Big League ace, along with 3117
strikeouts (only the second pitcher ever to reach that mark at the time), 56
shutouts and a brilliant 2.91 E.R.A.
A legend of the game, he was a “gimmie” for the Hall of Fame once eligible in 1981, getting named on 337 of 401 ballots cast.
Stories of Gibson’s fierce competitive streak are legendary, and I love each and every one of them!
Stories of Gibson’s fierce competitive streak are legendary, and I love each and every one of them!
