The St. Louis Cardinals’ 50 greatest players

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#3 Bob Gibson SP

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the greatest Cardinals’ starting pitcher of all time, Mr. Bob Gibson. Every statistic screams the Bob was the best, and that no other pitcher comes near him in Cardinals’ lore.

The fact remains that no pitcher comes within 45 wins of Gibby in terms of fWAR, with Gibson having a 82.3 fWAR that is 45.2 wins better than that of Dizzy Dean’s 37.1 fWAR.

You can tell me that Gibby pitched during the second “dead ball” era till you’re blue in the face, that’s not going to change the fact that Gibson actually had his two best seasons in terms of fWAR right after this “dead ball” era.

As in 1969, Gibby posted a 2.30 FIP and 7.71 K/9 earning him a 8.8 fWAR. In 1970, he had a 2.29 FIP and career best 8.39 K/9, with a career high 9.8 fWAR.

I realize that no starting pitcher has posted an ERA as low as Gibson’s 1.12 ERA in 1968, and I am not discounting this amazing season at any rate, as that still goes down in history as one of the best seasons ever by a starting pitcher.

Of all of the players who have come before my era, Gibson is definitely the player I wish I could have seen pitch, as he was absolutely not just the best Cardinals’ pitcher, but one of the best pitchers ever.

Next: The Man