(LOT 239)
1959 Topps #514 Bob Gibson Rookie PSA 8 NM-MT
BOY GIBSON!!! In 1959, the St. Louis Cardinals called up the young right-hander from AAA Omaha, their hometown hero, and he forever changed the game of baseball. Bob Gibson signed with the Redbirds in 1957 and never wore another Major League uniform over his 17-year career. At the tail end of the 1960s, Gibby was arguably the most dominant pitcher in the game, with all due respect to Sandy Koufax, and in 1968, he devastated batters with a miniscule 1.12 ERA. That season, the hard throwing righty went 22-9 with a 1.12 ERA and 268 strikeouts to capture the NL Cy Young and MVP. Gibson went on to post a 251-174 career pitching record with a 2.91 ERA and 3,117 career Ks. He is currently one of only 19 pitchers to collect 3,000 strikeouts in a career. The presented 1959 Topps #514 Bob Gibson rookie card has been graded 8 NM-MT by PSA. This most significant card from the 1959 Topps release features a gleaming pink frame around the young hurler's portrait image. With excellent centering, only minimally favoring the upper right corner, this example displays superior edges and corners amidst snow-white borders. Add to that the flawless surfaces, one must wonder why this wasn't assessed higher. This is a true treasure of one of the great pitchers in his first year.
MIN BID $1,500
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