1981 HEADLINE: Fernando Valenzuela Becomes 1st Rookie To Capture Cy Young and ROY Awards!!!

1981 HEADLINE: Fernando Valenzuela Becomes 1st Rookie To Capture Cy Young and ROY Awards!!!

On this day in 1981, Fernando Valenzuela won the National League’s Cy Young Award.

The week prior, he was named as the Rookie Of The Year, becoming the first player in major league history to earn both the ROY and the Cy Young Award in the same season.

The numbers?  Let’s take a closer look, shall we??

13-7 record with 11 complete games and 8 shutouts.  180 strikeouts with just 61 walks and an ERA of 2.48.

Not too bad for a 20-year old hurler, huh??

Happy Anniversary Mr. Valenzuela!!!

1988 HEADLINE: Dodgers’ Orel Hershiser Wins Cy Young Award With Unanimous Vote

1988 HEADLINE: Dodgers’ Orel Hershiser Wins Cy Young Award With Unanimous Vote

On this date in 1988, Orel Hershiser captured the National League’s Cy Young award in a unanimous vote.

Taking all 24 first-place votes, this award capped an unbelievable season for the right-hander.

A close look at the numbers:

23-8 during the regular season with 15 complete games and 8 shutouts.  In 267 innings of work, Hershiser compiled a low ERA of just 2.25.  His dominant year led to another selection to the National League All-star team and his first Cy Young Award.  During the playoffs, Hershiser led the Dodgers to the World Series championship while winning both the NLCS and World Series MVP awards in the process!!

Happy Anniversary Mr. Hershiser!!!

Bob Gibson’s Magnificent 1959 Topps Rookie Card

Bob Gibson’s Magnificent 1959 Topps Rookie Card

No, I don’t have this card.  But I sure would like one…

While not the most thrilling baseball card to look at, I think that what I like most about rookie cards in general is that as a collector you never really know what you’re going to get out of a player when they are a rookie…

Some come into the league and dominate from the start.  And then there are the guys that barely make a roster yet have a 20-year career.

In Bob Gibson’s case, I bet there were very few that thought that the 23-year old pitcher from Nebraska that turned in a 3-5 seasons in 1959 was going to become a Hall of Famer.

But that is what is wonderful about this sport that we love.  You never know what you’re going to get…

And I wouldn’t mind getting one of these!!!

Bob Gibson & The Hall Of Fame Class Of 1981

Bob Gibson & The Hall Of Fame Class Of 1981

Bob Gibson was elected to the Baseball Hall Of Fame in 1981.  He was awarded entry on his first ballot as he captured 337/401 votes cast.

His Hall of Fame plaque reads:

“Five-time 20-game winner.  His 3,117 strikeouts made him only second pitcher to reach 3,000.  First to fam 200 or more in a season nine times.  Set NL mark with 1.12 ERA in 1968, hurling 15 shutouts.  Twice World Series MVP, setting records for consecutive victories(7), consecutive complete games(8), and strikeouts in a game(17), and in a series(55).  Voted NL MVP in 1968 and Cy Young Award winner in 1968 and 1970.  Won nine Gold Glove awards.”

Bob Gibson = World Series Hero

Bob Gibson = World Series Hero

While Gibson played on some pretty poor Cardinals teams during the begining and end of his career, he also starred on their dominant squads that played in the mid 1960’s.

And during a span of 5 seasons, Gibson and his Cardinals teammates competed for 3 World Series championships – winning 2 of them.

And in those 3 match-ups, Gibson was unstoppable!!

Competing in 9 contests, Gibson went 7-2, while throwing an incredible 8 complete games including 2 shutouts.  His ERA in World Series play is a low 1.89.  And in 81 innings of work, Gibson struck out 92 batters while walking just 17.

It is no wonder that the Cardinals won the 1964 and 1967 World Series.  And it is also no wonder that Gibson collected the World Series MVP trophy in each of those triumphs!!

Bob Gibson’s 1971 No-Hitter Against The Pittsburgh Pirates

Bob Gibson’s 1971 No-Hitter Against The Pittsburgh Pirates

On August 14, 1971, Bob Gibson was masterful as he and his Cardinals teammates battled the Pirates in Pittsburgh.

Defeating the team by himself, Gibson did what everyone knew that his talents could offer.  Allowing no hits to a very talented Pirates squad, Gibson made major league history.  He went the distance in the contest while facing 28 batters.  His impressive numbers from this outing include:  10 strikeouts, 3 walks, 0 runs, and 0 hits allowed!!!

And ‘Hoot’ helped himself at the plate too.  Going 1-for-4, Gibson drove in three runs to help pad the team’s lead.  The Cardinals ended up winning the contest 11-0.

Congratulations and Happy Anniversary Mr. Gibson!!!

Bob Gibson Picked Up Another Cy Young Award In 1970…

Bob Gibson Picked Up Another Cy Young Award In 1970…

After securing his first Cy Young award in 1968, Gibson did it again just two years later.

In 1970, Gibson started in 34 contests for the Cardinals.  He amassed a 23-7 record, while finishing 23 of his starts, which included 3 shutouts.  During that season, Gibson amassed a 3.12 ERA while striking out 274 batters and walking just 88.

Bob Gibson’s 1968 Season Was Magical!!!

Bob Gibson’s 1968 Season Was Magical!!!

Bob Gibson’s 1968 season was one that makes players into legends.  His performance from the start of the season through the entire schedule and playoffs included is one of the most talked about and heralded seasons by a pitcher in major league history.

Let’s get right into the numbers:  34 starts, 22-9 record, 28 complete games, 13 shutouts, 268 strikeouts, just 62 walks, and the tiniest of ERA’s – 1.12.

Gibson took that dominance and rung up both the National League’s Cy Young and Most Valuable Player Awards.  And nobody could complain about that…

Bob Gibson And ‘Club 3,000′

Bob Gibson And ‘Club 3,000’

Date of entry into “Club 3,000” – July 17, 1974

The Story – At home, and battling ‘The Big Red Machine’, Bob Gibson had an ‘odd’ day by the standards he had set for himself.  Battling the talented Reds’ offense, Gibson pitched 7 innings while giving up 10 hits and only striking out 4.  But in those 4 strikeouts came #3,000 of his career against Cesar Geronimo.

Baseball History – Gibson struck out 3,117 batters over the course of his 17-year career.  He currently ranks in 14th place on the all-time list.

Bob Gibson Won 9 Gold Gloves For His Defensive Dominance!

Bob Gibson Won 9 Gold Gloves For His Defensive Dominance!

The dominant pitchers that ruled the 1960’s and 1970’s were excellent athletes.  From Jim Palmer to Tom Seaver to Fergie Jenkins and Bob Gibson – all of them excelled in baseball and other sports during their youth.

But as big leaguers, Bob Gibson stood apart from them largely due to his ability to be a superb defender while on the mound.  Those guys were all good defenders, but Bob Gibson was phenomenal.

Gibson won his first Gold Glove award in 1965.  And from there, he hauled in 8 more award in eight straight years.

So, if you’re counting at home, that is 9 awards in 9 years!!