Gibson/McCarver

Never was certain if this story is factual but it's still one of my favorites...Tim McCarver was catching Gibson and walked to the mound to discuss how to pitch to the next batter. When he got there Gibson told him that the only thing McCarver knew about pitching was how not to do it then told him to get his a-- back behind the plate. 

How I wish Joe Buck would tell him something similar in the booth:

"Tim, the only thing you know about being a color commentator is how not to do it.  Shut up and get out of my booth!!!!"

One can only dream!

McCarver is awful. 

My favorite Gibson story concerns a guy who had faced Gibson (and I'll be danged if I can remember his name.)  First at bat, the player hit a double off of Gibson.  Second at bat, he hits a home run.  He's pulled for a defensive player and gets no third at bat.  Gibson never faces him again. 

Years later, Gibson is the pitching coach for Atlanta and they go to Montreal, where the batter is the color commentator in the booth.  They invite Gibby into the booth to tape a little segment before the game.  The two booth guys have their heads together and are discussing something when Gibson walks in and hits the former player, square in the back, with a baseball.  "That's for the double and home run" Gibson told him.  And then sat down to do the interview.

Watching a game several years back, Cards vs. Expos, the guy in the booth told the story and it just cracked me up.

And then, of course, is the story about Gibson and Bill White, future NL President.  Gibby and White were roommates and friends as Cardinals.  White gets traded to the Phillies.  His first at bat against Gibson, Gibson plunks him with a fastball.  And glared at him all the way to first.  Wow!

midohio,

That is HUGE.  Gibson and others of his era owned the whole plate.  Gibson could nail batters that crowded the plate and no one thought anything about it.  Now they can pitch from the middle of the plate out and that's about it.

Great point!