| Kirk Gibson | |
|---|---|
 Gibson in 2017 | |
| Outfielder / Manager | |
| Born: May 28, 1957 Pontiac, Michigan, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 8, 1979, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 10, 1995, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .268 |
| Home runs | 255 |
| Runs batted in | 870 |
| Managerial record | 353–375 |
| Winning % | .485 |
| Teams | |
As player
As manager As coach | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Kirk Harold Gibson (born May 28, 1957) is an American former professional baseball outfielder and manager. He is currently a color commentator for the Detroit Tigers on Bally Sports Detroit and a special assistant for the Tigers. Gibson spent most of his career with the Detroit Tigers, but also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kansas City Royals, and Pittsburgh Pirates. He batted and threw left-handed.
While with the Dodgers, Gibson was named the National League MVP in 1988. During his career, he hit two dramatic home runs in the World Series, each one coming against an eventual Hall of Fame relief pitcher. With the Tigers in 1984, he clinched the title in Game 5 with a three-run homer off Goose Gossage, who had refused to walk him with a base open. With the Dodgers in 1988, Gibson faced closer Dennis Eckersley in the ninth inning of the first game and hit a pinch-hit walk-off home run—often described as one of the most exciting moments in World Series history.[1] He was named to the All-Star team twice as a reserve, in 1985 and 1988, but declined the invitation both times.[2]
Following his retirement as a player, he spent five seasons as a television analyst in Detroit and then became a coach for the Tigers in 2003. He became the Diamondbacks' bench coach in 2007 and was promoted to interim manager in 2010 following the mid-season dismissal of A. J. Hinch. On October 4, 2010, the Diamondbacks removed the "interim" label, naming Gibson their manager for the 2011 season.[3] He served as the Diamondbacks' manager until September 26, 2014.[4] Gibson returned to the broadcast booth in 2015 as a part-time commentator for Tigers TV broadcasts, and was named a regular television analyst for the Tigers in 2019.[5]
- ^ "Dodgers Scout Helped Gibson Hit Historic Limp-Off Homer". The Huffington Post. October 16, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
- ^ Pouliot, Matthew (July 13, 2011). "Kirk Gibson twice turned down the All-Star Game". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ McManaman, Bob. "Arizona Diamondbacks name Kirk Gibson manager." Article in the 'Arizona Republic' on October 4, 2010. [1]
- ^ Major League Baseball [@MLB] (September 26, 2014). "The @Dbacks relieve manager Kirk Gibson and bench coach Alan Trammell of their duties" (Tweet). Retrieved May 4, 2017 – via Twitter.
- ^ Beck, Jason (January 15, 2019). "Gibson, Morris join Tigers broadcasting team". mlb.com. Retrieved May 17, 2022.