Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Griffin
There were many amazing pitchers during the 1960s and early 1970s. They included Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, and Tom Seaver, among others. Then there was Bob Gibson. How good was he? He made the people who ran baseball panic and lower the mound after one of his most dominant years, though Denny McLain probably had a hand in that. Here are 10 instances that demonstrate why Gibson wasn’t just the best pitcher of his era, but also the most feared (even Hank Aaron tread lightly in the batter’s box).
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His 1.12 ERA In 1968 Caused a Panic in MLB Front Offices
In 1968, the “Year of the Pitcher,” Bob Gibson posted a 1.12 ERA and Denny McLain won 31 games. Both feats were so incredible that MLB literally changed the rules afterward, lowering the mound because they felt its height gave pitchers too much leverage over hitters. Gibson’s response? He won 20 games in ’69 and a league-leading 23 in ’70. Maybe it wasn’t the mound, huh?
Pitching on a Broken Leg After a Roberto Clemente Line Drive
How tough was Bob Gibson? When a Roberto Clemente line drive snapped his fibula in July 1967, most pitchers would’ve been carted off on a stretcher. The fiery right-hander stayed in the game. He faced two more batters, getting Willie Stargell to pop out before inducing an inning-ending double play from Bill Mazeroski. He did this because, apparently, pain was just another hitter he refused to let beat him.
The Staredown That Could Freeze a July Day in St. Louis
Gibson’s glare from 60 feet, 6 inches was more terrifying than any slasher from a horror movie. Even the great Hank Aaron admitted to being intimidated, saying that no hitter should EVER dig in against the pitcher, lest he wind up with a fastball in the ribcage. As for hitting a home run off him, Hammerin’ Hank suggested running so fast around the bases that Gibson would forget who actually hit it.
Game 7 of the ’64 World Series on Two Days’ Rest
With the 1964 World Series on the line, Gibson took the ball for Game 7 against the Yankees on just two days’ rest. He threw a complete game victory, fueled by sheer will and a refusal to lose. Even on short rest, fatigue didn’t stand a chance.
Refusing to Let Teammates Visit the Mound Because “This Is My Office”
Bob Gibson had one sole mission: catch the return throw from the catcher and then throw another pitch. He hated any interruption to his craft. If any teammate or even his manager came out to the mound, he would give them the same look he gave opposing hitters. There might as well have been a “No Trespassing” sign on the mound.
Throwing 28 Complete Games in 1968 Like It Was a Part-Time Job
When Bob Gibson took the ball, chances were good that the relief pitchers were going to be able to kick back and relax. Gibson went the distance an astounding 28 times in 1968 alone. The man who finished his career with 255 complete games would surely scoff at modern pitchers who look to the bullpen around the sixth inning.
The No-Hitter Against Pittsburgh That Silenced Three Rivers Stadium
Gibson wouldn’t even give in to age. At age 35, on August 14, 1971, he threw a no-hitter against the Pirates. The legendary right-hander had 10 strikeouts on the day. It was another notch on the Hall of Famer’s belt.
Returning From a Broken Leg to Dominate the 1967 World Series
You can’t keep a competitor down. After missing nearly two months with that broken leg, Gibson returned for the 1967 World Series like nothing had happened. He won three games against the Red Sox, including the decisive Game 7, proving that even broken bones were just suggestions when it came to Gibson’s will to win.
Making Pete LaCock Pay for That Grand Slam in 1975
When Cubs rookie Pete LaCock had the audacity to hit a grand slam off the aging Gibson, the veteran didn’t forget. Their next meeting featured a fastball to LaCock’s ribs, because Gibson’s memory was longer than his list of strikeout victims.
Nine Seasons of 200+ Strikeouts
While Gibson might not have reached the single-season strikeout totals of pitchers like Sandy Koufax or Nolan Ryan, he was more than capable of making batters look foolish at the plate. It didn’t matter if the mound was as tall as Mount Everest or flat as the ground, he could strike people out. In fact, he reached his career high of 274 in 1970, on the lowered mound. All in all, he hit the 200-strikeout mark nine times and had 3,117 for his career.