2020 sure is hitting us baseball fans hard, isn't it? Seaver, Brock, and now Bob Gibson - this just sucks. Gibson hits a little close to home only because he was my uncle's favorite player. Once again, I present the Top 5 cards in my collection (plus a bonus) in chronological order.
1971 Topps #450
This card was one of the first I ever showed off on my blog. As I have said, my uncle is a big Cardinals fan, and Gibson was his favorite player. I got this card from him, and it's the one card I'll always associate with him.
1988 Topps #664
Like a lot of people my age, my first experience with legends from our past came from these Turn Back The Clock cards. To be honest, this was probably my first Gibson card.
1989 Topps Kahn's Cooperstown #NNO
Two things I love about this card: The windup pose, which is phenomenal, and the fact on the back that his nickname was "Hoot" - before this card, I never knew he had a nickname other than "Gibby".
1994 Upper Deck All-Time Heroes #130
This card almost has a Conlon Collection/Sporting News feel to it. I always like the black and white photos, although that yellow diamond behind his head is a little distracting.
2019 Stadium Club #266
We'll finish off the tribute with this red foil parallel from last year's Stadium Club set. Everyone remembers how incredible of a pitcher he was, but Gibson was a great fielder too. He won 9 straight Gold Gloves from 1965-1973. Whatever he's chasing here you can bet turned into an out.
Bonus card
1959 Topps #514
Gibson died after a long fight with pancreatic cancer. In this past week since he's died, I've had Facebook memories remind me of a college friend who also died of pancreatic cancer 3 years ago plus a former coworker/friend who passed from breast cancer 16 years ago. Brian at Collecting Cutch has been holding another contest during his annual Save Second Base series for Breast Cancer Awareness month. This contest involves showing off pink cards and Brian will make a donation for each comment on that post towards the cause. I've been trying not to just shoehorn a pink card into my posts for a cheap contest entry, but with all these reminders how cancer sucks, I figured showing off Gibson's pink rookie card seemed appropriate, even if I don't own it.
RIP Bob Gibson, you will be missed!
Kaline, Gibson and Brock were all part of that wonder 68 World Series. I can't help but wonder how much longer Freehan will be with us. This is a nice tribute to Bob. My mom passed with pancreatic cancer when I was only 10. It's a vicious one that remains impossible to beat.
ReplyDeleteThe 71 Topps and 2019 Stadium Club are my favorites here. Bonus points for the red parallel.
ReplyDeleteGibson, Brock, Seaver.. and now Whitey Ford. It seems like Al Kaline died years ago, but it was only April.
That's three of the pitchers you named as their franchise's all-time number one starter who have died in the past month and a half.
DeleteYou're right -- I hadn't realized that. Shame on me.
DeleteNice tribute. Solid 5. Every time I see that 71T Gibson, I wonder how or why I haven't added that card to my collection. It's gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteMe too! It really is an awesome card.
DeleteThe pitching staff of Hall of Famers that have passed away this year is mind blowing (Seaver, Gibson, Ford). Great tribute and thank you for the support!
ReplyDelete