40 years ago, Gibson was unhittable all year

[Faygo Kid]

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: September 18, 2008
Filed at 6:13 p.m. ET

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Bob Gibson can still project an aura of menace, even 40 years after he intimidated batters en route to a ridiculously low 1.12 ERA.

For instance, Gibson says he's still considering legal action against Major League Baseball for lowering the mound after his feat. He's joking, of course, but for a split second you wonder.

''Why should they take away the pitcher's livelihood because he becomes proficient at it?'' Gibson asks. ''That, to me, seems like what they did. The hitters weren't doing very well against you so they say 'Well, we're going to fix that.'

''I still might sue baseball for that.'' . . . http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/sports/AP-BBN-Gibsons-Year.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
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What a year. Interesting that the article doesn't mention Denny McLain winning 31 games. Whenever one is mentioned, the other is also usually cited. As it should be. We will never see a 1.12 ERA or a 30-game winner again.

I was a high school senior in Detroit. It was fantastic that year, topped off with one of the all-time great World Series.

This past spring, I bought this issue of Sports Illustrated. Autographed by both. Gibson added, HOF (Hall of Fame) 81. McLain added, 31-6 1968. Needless to say, it's now framed and a prized possession.

[XOKCowboy]

1. Has it been that long??

I was in the 8th Grade in Muskogee OK (no I didn't smoke marijuana....yet :)) and we got the Card's broadcasts on the radio. I was also in Little League and heavy into baseball. Wow it doesn't feel like 40 yrs ago.

[Faygo Kid]

2. Hard to believe, isn't it?

They still played day World Series games then.

It was the last year before divisional play. End of an era. My favorite player? No doubt:

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

3. Hey! Me too!

A high school senior, went to Henry Ford. What a year for baseball............ missed the best part by enlisting in the Marine Corps at the end of July....... :(

[Faygo Kid]

6. Whoa. Marines? 1968-69? 'Nam?

Actually went to East Detroit High School, so we lived in different universes.

You were a West Sider. I was an East Sider. Every Detroiter knows what that means.

I bet you recall these guys:

[Two Americas]

9. can you give us the names Faygo?

Every face is familiar, but I can't come up with the names. I know Milkie the Clown (Bob Cummins) second from the left. He was actually a DuPont salesman. The DuPont HQ was there on Conners, right next to the Twin Pines Dairy (they sponsored Bob's TV show).

[Faygo Kid]

13. OK, here you go:

Poopdeck Paul, Milky the Clown, Captain Jolly, Jingles, Johnny Ginger, Bozo.

Those were the days, my friend. We thought they'd never end.

[Two Americas]

14. that's great

Thanks. I am remembering running into Soupy on the street once - 7 Mile and Meyers. Early 60's, must have been.

[Doctor_J]

4. Fond memories of watching as a youngster Gibson & Jenkins duel

Daylight baseball, the golden age of pitching - before every inside pitch led to a bench clearing brawl.

[bunkerbuster1]

5. Winning 31 games isn't as impressive as a 1.12 ERA.

One's utterly team-dependent; the other isn't. just sayin'.

[Two Americas]

10. McClain could pitch

41 appearances, 31 wins, 28 complete games, 6 shut outs, 1.96 ERA, 63 walks, 280 strike outs.

[bunkerbuster1]

11. Oh, he was phenomenal--not taking that away from Denny at all.

[classysassy]

7. That was the year

1968,before the dh,when pitchers completed what they started,

[Two Americas]

8. thanks for the memories

West sider here.

25 cent ride on the DSR and 75 cent bleacher tickets in centerfield.

I can remember driving around the city on a summer night back before AC, and there would be so many people sitting out on the porch listening to Ernie calling the game, that you could just roll down your window and never miss a pitch.

[rsdsharp]

12. What I have never been able to figure out

is how Gibson had an ERA of 1.12, and still lost 9 games that year. It's not like he had a bad team behind him. The Cardinals were the defending World Series champions, and would win the pennant again in 1968.

[Faygo Kid]

17. Cards scored 2 or fewer runs in 19 of his 34 starts.

He threw 13 shutouts. Astounding. He and McLain were unreal that year. Others were great, too, but their seasons will never be replicated.

[bulloney]

15. In addition to Gibson's and McLain's feats, there were all kinds of pitching records in '68.

Don Drysdale's consecutive scoreless inning streak; the number of no-hitters and shutouts that season.

Carl Yastrzemski won the American League batting title and his average was only .300 when they rounded his average UP!

With all of these 14-10 type of baseball scores today, I wouldn't mind seeing them raising the mound.

[pscot]

16. I ws carrying mail then

in the San Fransisco's south Mission district near Daly City. It was a warm, clear day and people had their windows open. All the radios and TV's were tuned to the game. I was able to follow it pitch by pitch all along my route. Thanks for the memory.