RIP Bob Gibson

unassuming

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Feb 11, 2017
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One of the most dominating pitchers ever, Bob Gibson has passed at age 84 from pancreatic cancer.

How good was he?:

"Sometimes known as the "Gibson rules", MLB lowered the pitcher's mound by five inches in 1969 from 15 inches to 10 and reduced the height of the strike zone from the batter's armpits to the jersey letters"
 

shack

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This should be moved to the sports forum. It's not like he impacted society in general like Jackie Robinson or the Babe or Ali.

RIP BG.
 

bluecolt

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One of the great pitchers of all time. His seventeen strikeout six hit shutout of the Tigers in Game 1 of the 1968 World Series was one of the best performances ever.
It was a shame that he was not offered more coaching or managerial opportunities after retirement. He lamented this many times during post-retirement interviews, even once with Tony Kubek during a Jays game.
 

K Douglas

Half Man Half Amazing
Jan 5, 2005
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RIP. One of the greats. And a mentor to younger generation of ball players.
 

Darts

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"From Ghetto to Glory"

It wasn't an easy road to the MLB HOF.
 

wigglee

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HOw about Jack Morris' 1991 game seven 1-0 World Series victory in a 10 inning shut out? Incredible.
 

gcostanza

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HOw about Jack Morris' 1991 game seven 1-0 World Series victory in a 10 inning shut out? Incredible.
darts? Is that you?


Bob Gibson is an all-time great.
Jack Morris, while he's in the H of F, relatively, could not carry Robert's jock strap.
 
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Fun For All

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I remember growing up Bob Gibson was known as one of toughest pitchers to face...you wouldn't crowd the plate with this guy, he owned that inside corner.

He played with one team for his entire career, 16 years.
 
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Gooseifur

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When they have to change to rules because of how good you are, that's greatness.
 
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shack

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When they have to change to rules because of how good you are, that's greatness.
TBH, it was not just Gibson. Pitchers, in general, were dominating batters. I think scoring was down and MLB wanted more hitting/scoring so they lowered the mound.
 

Gooseifur

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TBH, it was not just Gibson. Pitchers, in general, were dominating batters. I think scoring was down and MLB wanted more hitting/scoring so they lowered the mound.
True but he was the best. Just like in the NFL when the put in pass interference because scoring was down but it was dubbed the Mel Blount rule because he was the best.
 

Anbarandy

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True but he was the best. Just like in the NFL when the put in pass interference because scoring was down but it was dubbed the Mel Blount rule because he was the best.
Pass interference predated Mel Blount.

The rule change instituted by the NFL penalized contact by a defender against a receiver beyond 5 yards from the line of scrimmage. Prior to that players, but Mel Blount in particular would just slam receivers into the ground anywhere on the field prior to the ball being in the air. He was notorious for this and the most effective using this tactic, but certainly NOT the best pass defender.

In fact, once the receiver/pass defender field was made level, Mel Blount as an average to at times an above average pass defender and certainly not the fearsome destroyer of receivers that he was heralded as prior to having to play by "fair rules".
 
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shack

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True but he was the best. Just like in the NFL when the put in pass interference because scoring was down but it was dubbed the Mel Blount rule because he was the best.
It may have been named for him because he was the best but not instituted because of him in particular.
 

Fun For All

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Pass interference predated Mel Blount.

The rule change instituted by the NFL penalized contact by a defender against a receiver beyond 5 yards from the line of scrimmage. Prior to that players, but Mel Blount in particular would just slam receivers into the ground anywhere on the field prior to the ball being in the air. He was notorious for this and the most effective using this tactic, but certainly NOT the best pass defender.

In fact, once the receiver/pass defender field was made level, Mel Blount as an average to at times an above average pass defender and certainly not the fearsome destroyer of receivers that he was heralded as prior to have to play by "fair rules".
I know we are going away from Bob Gibson but leagues have put in rules to combat what they seem as unfair before.

NFL-Holly Roller rule is the that a fumble can't be advanced in the last two minutes of a game due to some shenanigans from the Oakland Raiders in 1978.
NHL-4x4 hockey on coincidental penalties was eliminated due to the success of the Edmonton Oilers.

I'm sure there are more...
 

Darts

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NHL-4x4 hockey on coincidental penalties was eliminated due to the success of the Edmonton Oilers.
Team not allowed to score more than one goal on a minor penalty power play.

Although not strictly a rule, starting pitchers only start every 5 (not 4) days and limited to 100-110 pitches or around 5- 7 innings. This reduces TOM (time on mound).

More changes coming?
 
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