Kirk Gibson
Kirk Gibson
Kirk Harold Gibsonis an American former professional baseball player and manager. As a player, Gibson was an outfielder who batted and threw left-handed. He spent most of his career with the Detroit Tigers but also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kansas City Royals, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Gibson is currently a color commentator for the Detroit Tigers on Fox Sports Detroit...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBaseball Player
Date of Birth28 May 1957
CityPontiac, MI
CountryUnited States of America
Our biggest challenge is we played Boston, Cleveland, the White Sox and Cleveland again,
I guess I had some butterflies, if that's what you want to call it.
I grew up with Ernie Harwell. Jack Buck is, like Ernie, an icon. Of course in 1988, when he made the call, it was a special attachment that lasted a lifetime. Let's say it was well said. I couldn't believe what I just saw, either.
Now you really watch to see what guys are made of. Here's the toughest part about it: All those guys bust their butts. They try their butts off. I'm not bailing on these guys. If I see them quit, we'll have a different kind of talk.
We don't have that. We have to manufacture that. We're starting from a different spot, and we have to try to match that.
It happened very quickly. I'm a team guy, and I've been asked to do something, so I will.
I'm behind them, I relate, Pay attention, guys: This is the level we need to play at consistently. That's the way it is.
I'm not out here to win a beauty contest.
There was a perception of me, and I earned it because I was really intense, really gruff. I treated certain people poorly at times. It was because of who I was. It was almost my strength. I came in all business. I tried to find ways to fit in with that demeanor, but it's not easy.
I was kind of a volatile personality, very intense. Because of that, I drew some criticism and people would say things about me, and my parents had tried to defend me. I would just tell them don't worry about it. Our day will come.
I got to experience a world championship with some great teammates.
Schools used to fund-raise for luxuries, like a trip to the water slides. Now, we fund-raise for things we have to have.
Everybody has bad at-bats -- except McCutchen.
Now here I am almost 52 years old, it's really easy. I'm way more at peace. But when you're a competitor, and you're as intent on becoming the best in the world as I was, it comes with consequences.