Joe Gibbon passes away.

Bobster21 · Post by **Bobster21** » Wed Feb 20, 2019 6:33 pm

Sad to report Joe Gibbon died this morning. I have not heard the cause. Gibbon was a reliever and spot starter for the 1960 Pirates in his rookie year after winning 16 games in AAA the year before. He was the winner in relief in his MLB debut and again in his 2nd appearance. He started 9 games that year and relieved in 18 others. The tall LHP from Mississippi with his thick southern drawl became part of the starting rotation in 1961 and went 13-10 while leading the Bucs in shutouts (3) and Ks (145). In Dec 1965 he was traded to SF for Matty Alou. SF traded hm back to the Pirates in midseason 1969 for reliever Ron Kline. Gibbon pitched out of the BP the rest of that season with a 1.93 ERA for the Bucs and 9 saves. He appeared in the 1970 NLCS series against the Reds before finishing his career with the Reds and Astros in 1971-72. His career spanned 13 years and 419 games.

fjk090852-7 · Post by **fjk090852-7** » Wed Feb 20, 2019 6:42 pm

Another member of the 1960 WS Team has passed away. If I recall Gibbon had a very smooth delivery when he threw the ball. Not a lot of herky jerky motion in his delivery. RIP Joe!

Bobster21 · Post by **Bobster21** » Wed Feb 20, 2019 6:49 pm

He was also an All-American basketball player at Ole Miss and was 2nd in the nation in scoring in the 1956-57 season.

BucsFaninGA · Post by **BucsFaninGA** » Wed Feb 20, 2019 6:53 pm

Sad to hear of Joe's passing as he was a favorite of mine through my teen years as a Pirates fan! Rest in peace Joe!

Bucs Fan in GA

BucsFaninGA · Post by **BucsFaninGA** » Wed Feb 20, 2019 6:54 pm

Ole Miss. Love the old school logo of the Southern Colonel figure. Joe Gibbon was one heck of an athlete and guy. Sad to hear of his passing...

ArnoldRothstein · Post by **ArnoldRothstein** » Thu Feb 21, 2019 12:25 am

The exotic delicacy in the Moose-Lamb-Veale bullpen. RIP.

MaineBucs · Post by **MaineBucs** » Thu Feb 21, 2019 9:53 pm

Joe Gibbons was the starting pitcher for the Bucs in the first game I ever saw at Forbes Field (1964).

I had never been to Pittsburgh (we didn't venture far from central PA). I particularly remember waiting to get in our car for the ride home and all of a sudden Willie Mays, Willie McCovey and Jim Ray Hart appeared out of a stadium door. Unfortunately, I was too stunned and timid to ask for autographs.

I hadn't thought of Joe Gibbons in a long time. Travel well Joe, you are part of my memories.

Bobster21 · Post by **Bobster21** » Thu Feb 21, 2019 10:08 pm

68444C4B4067504656250 wrote: Joe Gibbons was the starting pitcher for the Bucs in the first game I ever saw at Forbes Field (1964).

I had never been to Pittsburgh (we didn't venture far from central PA). I particularly remember waiting to get in our car for the ride home and all of a sudden Willie Mays, Willie McCovey and Jim Ray Hart appeared out of a stadium door. Unfortunately, I was too stunned and timid to ask for autographs.

I hadn't thought of Joe Gibbons in a long time. Travel well Joe, you are part of my memories.
It's Gibbon (without the 's'.) I met him a few times in Bradenton. A very kind, humble, easy going guy.