Bob Gibson on losing nine games in 1968: "I'm still mad about that"

Bob Gibson on teaching Steve Carlton his slider: "We were on a flight from St. Louis to San Francisco, and he and I spent the entire time on that flight talking about his slider. Then he ended up having the better slider than me. That didn't make me happy."

[@billythekid3234]

We lost Bob today.,, may he rest in peace and his family receive many prayers in this terrible time. Blessings.....

[@cherokeeoutlaw2.011]

I never watched him live but loved him still

[@mikekeeler6362]

​ seen Bob Gibson pitch many times in the 60s and the 70s great picture

[@johnmiller1620]

I love the way that no matter how interesting the discussion may be, Bob Gibson and Tim McCarver never stop watching the game.

[@drewhunkins7192]

One of the greatest athletes ever to walk the planet. Not only was he arguably a top 5 pitcher in MLB history, but he also played basketball for the Harlem Globetrotters. Go look up his stats for 1968, they're jaw-dropping. MLB lowered the mound after that season, never to raise it again.

[@anthonychiulli7736]

Drew Hunkins Bob Gibson & Lou Brock my idols.

[@Inquisitor6321]

They raised the mounds that year to 15". That's the prime reason 1968 was the year of the pitcher.

[@drewhunkins7192]

@@Inquisitor6321 Actually, as far as I know, the mound was always 15" high (since 1903ish) and was lowered after 1968.

[@jamesvickers9476]

Gibson said he quit the Globetrotters because they traveled to much...

[@Inquisitor6321]

@@drewhunkins7192 the standard height has been 10" since 1901. There were two seasons they were changed. 1968 - raised to 15" 1929 - Lowered to 5" In 1929, take a look at the hitting statistics. The Phillies hit .309 AS A TEAM! A record needless to say. The same Phillies had a Team ERA of 6.13 - also a record. So yes altering the pitcher's mound can significantly affect hitting and pitching stats. In 1968 the N.L. batting champ hit a mere .301.

[@vaibanez17]

RIP what a gamer. Had one of the greatest years ever in 68, mad about the 9 losses. What a competitor. We lost a fighter.

[@IOUZIP]

Pray for Bob Gibson going through pancreatic cancer. Hoot, we love you and keep fighting as you did on that mound in 68⚾️ . @ @ @ @

[@dougoverhoff7568]

Bob Gibson at his best, simply WAS the best. Absolutely Unhittable!

[@shack8110]

how the flip did he lose 9 games averaging 1 run a game?

[@dougoverhoff7568]

@@shack8110 That's what I wondered and it always bothered me . I think it bothered him, as well. Of course, he always faced the other team's ace. But, even a little run production would have made a heck of a difference. The Cards were a tremendous defensive team, for sure, but not that strong on offense.

[@Thesage50]

Gibson played during the era of 4 barrel carburetors,15 round prize fights, and pitchers starting and completing each game on only three days rest!

[@bodyweightkiller]

Wow, BG still looks great.

[@vincentrobinson9645]

I’m so glad you taught Steve Carlton the slider Mr. Gibson, for he was virtually unhittable when he pitched for our Phillies ⚾️

[@anthonychiulli7736]

Lousy trade. Carlton for Rick wise. Ugh

[@obbor4]

@@anthonychiulli7736 A lousy trade, after the fact. There is no reason to slag Rick Wise though. He was a great pitcher who had just come off of season where he had pitched a no-hitter and hit two home runs in the same game. He had two pretty decent seasons for the Cards, suffered from a lack of run support, and made one all star team. Card's owner Gussie Busch had a contract squabble with Carlton and demanded that he be traded. Cardinals catcher Tim McCarver, who had caught for Carlton in St. Louis and Wise in Philadelphia, said at the time that the trade was "a real good one for a real good one." According to McCarver, Wise had better command on the mound while Carlton had more raw ability. This viewpoint can be confirmed statistically; while Carlton had averaged more career strikeouts per 9 innings at the time, Wise allowed fewer walks and actually had the better career strikeout-to-walk ratio through 1971. Carlton, of course, had one of the greatest seasons of any player ever, with the Phillies, in '72. No one then could have predicted how great Carlton was to become once he became who he became.

[@anthonychiulli7736]

obbor4 Lousy trade. One of the worse. Carlton & gibson. Would of ruled the league For a lousy 100k Carlton wanted. Should of payed him.

[@anthonychiulli7736]

obbor4 Yea how well and how long did rick wise last 🙄. I’m a life long cardinal fan. Your opinion doesn’t change the facts. Lousy trade. I’m not downing rick wise. In the end the cards lost.

[@Inquisitor6321]

Lefty was the man!

[@Mxpositive48]

May you rest in peace Bob give the other Hall of famers that passed a hug for us baseball fans

[@nealrothchild3470]

Great conversation. Gibson was simply awesome, in just about every way

[@IOUZIP]

Best Cardinal pitcher ever and for me I wish most would still pitch like him but the game has changed.

[@JewelzFin]

Yes sir! He stood them up and pulled them away better than any pitcher ever.

[@anthonychiulli7736]

Bob Gibson is one of best pitchers ever. And voted most intimidating

[@eatfarts3024]

He was the best pitcher of his era his stats more than stack up to today’s guys

[@grehhet161]

what a LEGEND

[@Trystaticus]

I love Bob's voice.

[@WorldwideWyatt]

Rest In Peace Bob Gibson. Hard to believe that Gibby, Whitey, and Hank passed so close to each other, we gotta protect Willie and Sandy.

[@AJEDDY97]

Don't forget about Tommy.

[@chrisweidner4768]

“I’m still mad about that.” I miss Bob.

[@williamgill_esq.6487]

RIP Bob Gibson. October 2, 2020. .

[@t4texastomjohnnycat978]

I witnessed one of his victories in '68 in the Astrodome. The Cards were obviously AWESOME again that season, defending their World Series Championship from '67. The '68 World Series between the Cards & the very strong Detroit Tigers was really something to watch. Too bad there had to be a losing team in that series.

[@loyaldude10]

No only was Gibson an awesome pitcher and competitor, but very articulate and intelligent guy

[@jaymuise6924]

RedSox nation here...he kicked our ass in the 67 world series...he was super man on steroids...the best display of pitching I ever saw...freaking unbelievable

[@eddiewilbanks1382]

#45 The best to ever stand on a mound in St Louis..... Thank you Mr Gibson

[@NJGuy1973]

In 1968 Gibson has a 1.12 ERA and went 22-9. He got 3.0 runs of support per game. The league average was 3.43. Had he gotten league-average run support, even given the low-scoring environment, he would have gone 30-4.

[@anthonychiulli7736]

NJGuy1973 He Also pitcher against league best pitchers. He should of won 30 games that year. ⭐️🔥

[@TheLocalLt]

Didn’t Denny McLain win 30 that year, and exactly what bob gibson was talking about in this video he drove himself crazy trying to match that season and eventually committed suicide?

[@DMR4736]

@@TheLocalLt I think he won 31 that year. It was a great series that year, never expecting Mickey Lolich to pitch so well in the WS

[@AEMoreira81]

Since then, only once in a complete season has one finished with an ERA below 1.60…Dwight Gooden.

[@tpstrato2270]

6 of his 9 losses in 1968 were by scores of 2-1 or 1-0

[@chop3625]

Unbelievable pitcher (hitter too) extremely bright, good looking for the kicker. RIP🙏🏻

[@smokeycat2011]

RIP Mr. Gibson... Damn I'm so glad I got to meet him last year.

[@dietpepsivanilla3095]

McCarver was wrong about Koufax. He retired after the 1966 season. Still, Hoot was one of the greatest.

[@anthonychiulli7736]

Dietpepsivanilla Gibson better than Koufax Def.

[@robinrodriguez480]

Yea 68 i was a kid listening to the game at recess boy did i cry when they beat Gibson in game 7 !!!

[@janeroberts38]

My favorite player of all time.

[@1977Kingsolomon]

His passage to the HOF in the sky brought me here...Rest Easy...you pitched a COMPLETE game.

[@jeffshepherd1342]

RIP Bob Gibson 🐐

[@dombrunelli5082]

The toughest competitor on the mound..My son was a pitcher, and I always preached " pitching by Gibson" to him

[@mattydouglas3025]

Just learning about this man after his death. I can tell that he has such an aura about him. I don't know what it is. It's like he's an intimidating person, no nonsense yet easy to talk to.

[@waynej2608]

Bob was the essence of the term, "righteous dude".

[@pjr54321]

Met Bob Gibson in 72' at Rhein Main Air Base, Germany. He was with the USO tour visiting the troops. I was a pitcher for the Rhein Main Rockets. (European military League) His intensity and him telling us to use out God given ability to the FULLEST has been with me since! I listened to the Cards on KMOX with Jack Buck and Harry Cary on the radio, so meeting Hoot was special.......... RIP Gibby............

[@HumanImpersonator1]

I grew up treasuring my possesion of his baseball card, (as well as other Cardinals ...like Brock, Carlton, etc.) had so many of so many great players which got lost after hurricanes and storms in Puerto Rico. In little leagues when batting we would be either Clemente, or Mays, or Mantle, and when pitching we would be either Gibson, Koufax, Marichal, Palmer, or Carlton. We suffer in life....it's part of the package...but we also have some fun times to remember and smile about...baseball is one of the latter. God rest your soul Mr. Bob Gibson!

[@hankhighsmith9050]

As a kid growing up near Tiger Stadium in '68, we still celebrate that series. Every day. Every time somebody brings it up. That's probably the most popular World Series of all time.

[@Mr.Wonderful888]

ALL TIME GREAT

[@MrGTO-ze7vb]

One of the MOST TALENTED Pitchers Ever..!! He could bat, hit homeruns and strike out batter after batter. RIP BOB..!!

[@saurabhjain4842]

Listening to baseball games is so relaxing sometimes....❤️

[@lizqb]

I loved those two in the battery back in our great 1964! What a treat to see Tim and Gibby on this interview

[@paulsolon6229]

Way to go mr Gibson

[@arsenal-slr9552]

I miss these days

[@herkhaston1915]

Such a great voice and vocabulary

[@dujon55]

One of the all time greats. Met him at a book signing and he was super nice,which kind of surprised me with is tough reputation 😊

[@natalliaf6387]

great banter

[@davidbergin6184]

This was fun! Sure miss Gibson.

[@donoakman1507]

Yes he was one the best ever..loved his competitive nature...great slider..the way he pitched inside is lost among pitchers NOW..a lot of pitchers could learn from.the way he pitched

[@williammerne8510]

One of the best pitchers (and hitters) ever- Bob Gibson

[@arammikaelian2332]

Bob Gibson is the best Cardinals pitcher ever and I am sad and loss a great pitcher ever.

[@stevemalibu99]

My favorite pitcher ever

[@zyxwut321]

Rest easy, Legend.

[@cornonthecob1268]

Best of the best!

[@user-hq6xq8ep7f]

still get choked up when i think of him being gone ...........Humility And Class ........Take A lesson Athletes Today .....

[@RecruitMeAthleticTV]

You must read October 1964. Incredible book. Lots of info on Gibson. He sure mellowed after playing.

[@sebastianvega434]

Rest in Peace

[@robinrodriguez480]

Bob the man!!👍👍

[@anthonychiulli7736]

The best. The most intimidating pitcher ever

[@steplumpkin5432]

LEGEND!!!!!!

[@1tigerbee]

Bob Gibson. The Greatest Pitcher ever in baseball history.

[@gynandroidhead]

Robert Gibson (November 9, 1935 - October 2, 2020) This interview is so awesome. If you didn't see him play, this is the essence of "Hoot."

[@oskartgrouch8757]

Rest in Power.

[@jessekaratekid5260]

Bob Gibson= STUD!

[@Hammondguy88]

Class act

[@HumanImpersonator1]

Good stuff! 'Love baseball.

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

I only saw one MLB game as a youth, and it was Don Drysdale v. Bob Gibson. Ace v. Ace. Cards won 3-1.

Gibson McCarver, it doesn’t get much better than that!

[@scottwhitley6898]

Very few beat pancreatic cancer unfortunately. My father only lived a year with it. Cancer sucks!! Mr. Gibson will be missed.

[@obbor4]

Sometimes, your record just doesn't match how great a year that you've had. I remember Fergie Jenkins winning 20 plus games while being the losing pitcher in five complete game, 1-0 loses, for the Cubs. ERA, strikeouts, and w.h.i.p. are individual pitching stats. Wins and loses are dependent on the rest of the team doing their jobs at the plate.

[@alanconnelly3921]

just ask jacob degrom

[@obbor4]

@@alanconnelly3921 Or Nolan Ryan going 8-16 for the Astros, in 1987, while leading the league in ERA, strikeouts, lowest hits per nine innings, and highest strikeout to walk ratio. Cy Young stats in every category that he could control. They're doing better with this stuff now.

[@riptorn2371]

They didn’t mention Mickey Lolich, who won 3 games for the Tigers in the ‘68 World Series.

[@NordicAnim]

Yay Bob Gibson!! The best Pitcher in the Entire Lore! :D

[@jkrasney1]

Hoot - Great pitcher - Hall of Fame pitcher. Terrific World Series pitcher. Gibson pitchers among Koufax, Marichal, Gaylord Perry, Don Drysdale, Warren Spahn, Ferguson Jenkins, Tom Seaver - in the National League. And each pitcher pitched 250+ innings every year; with many complete games.

[@flatflat7923]

RIP 🙏

[@davidwoods8982]

I agree with everyone’s comments. I’d like to add… I saw him pitch early in his career… against Satchel Paige…. Another of the top 5 pitchers, and when the ball hit the catchers mitt, it “popped” like a firecracker. I don’t know what the speed was, but the only one that I Ever heard that pop of the glove was Nolan Ryan. And Satchel Paige. When Gibson came up to bat, Paige at whatever age he was ( at least 50+) threw 3 strikes past him with that same “Pop”! I was a kid in Rochester NY. the farm team for St. Louis at the time.

[@geordiejones5618]

Threw 17 Ks in the first game of the world series. No one else has ever thrown more than 12 Ks in a WS game. 1968 is easily the greatest pitching season ever when you combine post and regular seasons. Him and Pedro are all my timw favorite pitchers.

[@steveberkson3873]

I remember him as a teenager. He had a fearsome personna on the mound.

[@dobermanpac1064]

G. O. A. T.

[@danreed5171]

Bob was thw man

[@cliffordnewell2445]

In addition to everything else, Gibson was a great humorist.

[@Dana-wq5tp]

For the record, Joe Torre hit .363 in 1971, not .353. He also hit .325 in another year so Joe was no slouch at the plate.

[@AEMoreira81]

Nine time All Star as a catcher, IINM.

[@yankees29]

He won the batting crown that year

[@mmsoulmm]

rip bob

[@jameshudson169]

RIP, gibby!

[@BlackKaweah]

RIP

[@redmustangredmustang]

Bob held a grudge against a someone who hit a grand slam against him. Then plunked him in old timer's game. He was a competitor, but man he held a lot of grudges.

[@jude999]

year?

[@terryabrisz5329]

Godspeed Timmy Mac. Bob is probably mad because he shook you off on joining him.

[@larryfer4526]

I researched his record that year and 2 of his losses was against Gaylord Perry, in some eyes maybe an underrated pitcher.

[@jameseldridge4185]

Reminds me of Yogi Berta’s comment when Koufax was 27 and 5 (or was is 7?). His 27 wins did not surprise me. But how did he lose 5?

[@vicepresidentmikepence889]

Are they broadcasting a game???

[@syrupofwahoo3059]

I love what Hank Aaron supposedly told his rookie teammate Dusty Baker about facing Bob Gibson: Hank Aaron once counseled Atlanta Braves teammate Dusty Baker about Gibson. “Don’t dig in against Bob Gibson; he’ll knock you down,” Aaron said, according to the Boston Globe. “He’d knock down his own grandmother if she dared to challenge him. Don’t stare at him, don’t smile at him, don’t talk to him. He doesn’t like it. If you happen to hit a home run, don’t run too slow, don’t run too fast. If you happen to want to celebrate, get in the tunnel first. And if he hits you, don’t charge the mound, because he’s a Gold Glove boxer.”

[@anthonychiulli7736]

Dusty Baker said Gibson was the only one that intimated him.

[@gabrielfreedman8507]

Rip

[@mikecustenborder3991]

He should be mad. 9 games with a 1.12 era. Incredible. They lowered the mound the next year.

[@RichMansour]

Torre hit. 363 in ' 71 winning MVP.

[@thecynic807]

Over 300 innings. That's 2 seasons for today's pitchers

[@jameshoran8]

Gibson should have asked Tim who was better. Gibson or the Steve Carlton that was with the Phillies in 1972? Tim would say Carlton as he was Steve's private catcher with the Phils from 1972 to 1979. Bob Boone caught everyone else and finally Carlton in 1980 when the Phils won their first World Series in their then 97th year.

[@shizzy35]

RIP Gibby

[@bradyount242]

RIP Mr.Gibson! Play Ball with Stan and Lou and Red in Heaven and have some laughs!

[@matthewbennett9791]

This man looks like he stopped aging once he hit 50.

[@michaelsemmijr2095]

That poor bastard should've lost 5 games at the most McCarver should still be apologizing still. 1.12 ERA in 68. That is the greatest record of the 20th century . That fuckin phenomenal

[@DMR4736]

I think Mariano's was lower, but then again, he was a closer

[@jonrichardson8461]

Interesting to note Bob Gibson had a similar accent to Henry Fonda who was also born and raised in Omaha.

[@jamesthompson3947]

I was 11-1 one year pitching and the only game I lost was a no hitter .. walk , stolen base , of error

[@MarkSmith-js2pu]

Ah back in the days of the complete game and games usually were less that 2.5 hours

[@LouisEmery]

1:00 Yeah, I remember the ace of the Expos Steve Rogers was always facing the ace of the other teams. That's why his W-L ratio wasn't that great despite a good ERA and tons of complete games.