Pitch by Pitch: My View of One Unforgettable Game

Baseball Hall of Famer Gibson, a star pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals for 17 seasons, provides a fascinating peek into his complex thoughts while on the mound during one of the most memorable games in World Series history. The two-time Cy Young winner, having hurled 13 shutouts, faced Detroit pitching ace Denny McLain on October 2, 1968 in the first series game at Busch Stadium. Unafraid to reveal the flaws of his game, Gibson, with writer Lonnie Wheeler, moves with ease behind the scenes, writing about teammates, coaches, rivals, and the opposition in this savvy analysis of the landmark contest. He calls every inning and every pitch. This is not a book about fastballs or breaking pitches, but about the close bond between Gibson and catcher Tim McCarver in a 17 strikeout effort, and their winning strategies against the heart of the Tigers team: Norm Cash, Jim “the Slammer” Northup, and Bill Freehan. In each anecdote, Gibson embodies the soul of baseball: fearless, intense, and talented. [em](Oct.) [/em]