(MLB Hall of Famer) Bob Gibson statue unveiled at Werner Park (Warren Buffet wears huge smile)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20130411/SPORTS/130419933/1685#bob-gibson-statue-unveiled-at-werner-park

By Rob White / World-Herald staff writer


Bob Gibson got more than a statue Thursday.

He got a tribute.

On an unseasonably cold day, in a ceremony under the protection of a party tent, the Omaha-raised Hall of Fame pitcher received a warm reception from friends, family and fans.

A statue of Gibson, one of the game's most legendary performers, will greet fans attending games at Werner Park, west of Papillion, the home of the Omaha Storm Chasers baseball team.

FULL story at link.

Bob Gibson and I have crossed paths several times. I even know his house sitter. My mother in law used to brag about how she knew him as a child. Dorthy passed away in the 80's.

Photo http://www.omaha.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=OW&Date=20130411&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=130419933&Ref=V2&maxw=598&maxh=400
KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
From left, Berkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett, Bob Gibson and sculpture artist Littleton Alston.

[longship]

1. 17 strike outs against Tigers in one 68 World Series game!

The guy was brilliant on the mound.

But the Tigers had Mickey Lolich who won three games of the series.

R&K

[Omaha Steve]

2. I think Ihave a 3D Kelloggs Lolich card around here somewhere

I was a Detroit fan that day in 68 watching the game in a hospital as a grade school kid. After that I became a Bob Gibson fan for life!

[Art_from_Ark]

3. I was a Cardinals fan, and my grandfather was rooting for Detroit

I was sure the Cardinals were going to win that last game, with Gibson on the mound.

On a side note, Gibson appeared in some TV commercials for Primatene Mist asthma spray.

[Are_grits_groceries]

4. Gibson was a great pitcher.

He wasn't afraid of any batter.

[Omaha Steve]

5. Rated the best athlete ever from the State of NE by the OWH

http://dataomaha.com/nebraska100/player/1

Photo:


1. Bob Gibson
Baseball, Basketball / Omaha / Born: 1935

For all that Bob Gibson accomplished athletically in baseball and basketball, his thirst to know how good a football player he might have become will never be quenched.

"I wanted to play football so badly,'' he said. "When I was young, I was a lot smaller kid than most of the guys I played with. But I did a good job against them.''

When he went to sign up for high school football at Omaha Tech, the coaches told him he was too small.

"I told them, 'We all play together all the time,'" Gibson said. "They said, 'When you get bigger, come see us.'"

While Gibson eventually grew to 6 feet 1 and 185 pounds, his brother and mentor, Josh, discouraged him from trying football. Both discussed how injury -- a close friend had suffered a broken neck playing football -- could curtail his baseball and basketball careers.

After a two-sport career at Creighton, Gibson played one season of basketball with the Harlem Globetrotters before signing a baseball contract for $4,000 with the St. Louis Cardinals. With St. Louis, he was known for his pitching (eight-time All-Star), fielding (nine-time Gold Glove winner) and hitting (he batted .303 in 1970 with 19 RBIs).

-- Lee Barfknecht


QUICK FACTS:


Played for: Omaha Tech High, Creighton Bluejays, Harlem Globetrotters and St. Louis Cardinals

Best athlete from Nebraska played with or against: Leon Chambers, Omaha Central. "He could flat out play -- baseball, basketball, football, you name it,'' Gibson said. "We always expected him to do some things, but it never did happen.''

Best moment as an athlete: The 1968 baseball season. "It wasn't any one thing,'' he said. "For that entire year, I felt, baseballwise, I could do whatever I wanted.''

Early sign of greatness: When Gibson was 14 or 15, his North Y Comets basketball team played against the Omaha University team in an open tournament. "We kicked them,'' Gibson said. "We almost ran them off the floor.''

[DCBob]

6. My favorite Cardinals player from my childhood.

Gibby was awesome!