"I Don't Believe What I Just Saw!"

by Kelly Huffman and Chris Hansen

Reggie Jackson may own the name "Mr. October." And Jim Leyritz' timely hitting (he has 4 homers this post-season) bestows honor on his nickname, "The King."

But in the 1980s, the unshaven man known as "Gibby" ruled when it came to memorable clutch homers in the World Series.

Gibson Career Highlights • With Tigers 1979-1987,1993-1995; Dodgers 1988-1990; Royals 1991; Pirates 1992 • Regular Season & LCS: 1635 G, .268 BA, 255 HR, 870 RBI, .463 SLG% • First Tiger to record 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in a season • 1984 ALCS Most Valuable Player • World Series: 6 G (5 with Detroit, 1 with Dodgers), .368 BA, 3 HR, 9 RBI, .842 SLG% • Hit .333 in 1984 series with seven RBI, including five in the final game

Appearing in two World Series -- one for the Tigers in 1984 and one for the Dodgers in 1988 -- Kirk Gibson displayed a Midas touch in each.

In 1984 he charged forth as a powerhouse, stomping on the plate as he led the Tigers to victory.

In 1988 he hobbled out as a pinch hitter.

The results were the same. World Series homers coursed through his veins.

His last homer of the 1984 series came after Padres reliever Rich Gossage convinced manager Dick Williams to let him pitch to Gibson, who had already homered. The result? A 3-run homer into the upper deck. To add insult to injury and emphasizing that the series was over, Gibson stomped on home plate before falling into the embrace of his teammates. It helped clinch Detroit's first championship since 1968.

His home run in Los Angeles in Game 1 of the 1998 World Series has been called the greatest in the franchise's history. Gibson, not supposed to play because of an injured hamstring and knee, hobbled to the plate as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the 9th. The result? He hit the game-winning 2-run homer off Oakland's Dennis Eckersley to give the Dodgers a 5-4 victory. The 7-minute at bat was his only one in the series.

Gibson retired from baseball in 1995 after playing under such managers as Sparky Anderson and Tommy Lasorda. He summed up his reason for retirement simply, stating he was "traded to my family."

Since that trade Gibson co-authored an autobiography titled Bottom of the Ninth, in which he encourages the reader to focus on the preface. There he explains his inspirational phrase "Defeat the Beast." In an interview with Danny Knobler of the Booth News Service, Gibson says about the preface, "That's kind of what it's all about. I love that page on the Beast. I think some people view not only me, but athletes in general as people who don't have problems, people who don't get depressed, (that) we just have it all. I want people to understand it's not like that."

In addition to writing, Gibson owns 1,500 acres in northern Michigan (he's a Michigan State graduate). He stays on top of his investments by reading every piece of financial advice he can find. Gibby also occupies his free time by planting trees, playing hockey and whatever else he wants to do.

Did you know ... Braves catcher Javy Lopez doesn't play ball in the winter because he wants to spend time with his family. The choice doesn't seem to be hurting his performance. Javy hit .284 for the Braves this season with 34 HRs and 106 RBIs...Indians hurler Bartolo Colon goes through three or four pairs of shoes a season...If Yankees pitcher David Cone wasn't a baseball pitcher he would choose journalism as a career...Through Tigers Care, the Detroit Tigers community relations department, the club supports needy individuals, groups and institutions. Tigers Care attempts to improve the quality of life for children and the underprivileged and to strengthen the community with the help of players, coaches and their front office staff.

Although they would love to have him, Gibson won't take an active role with the Tigers, a team he spent 12 years of his 17-year career with. Or with any other team. He had approached the Tigers about a job after he retired in 1995. But Gibson did not want the position that the Tigers were prepared to give him. He also talked to the Los Angeles Dodgers, but found nothing there that interested him.

He still loves the game that he played so well and keeps in touch with former teammates including Alan Trammell who was MVP of the 1984 Series, but most likely won't return to the sport.

Not to worry, retirement seems to agree with Kirk Gibson. And he has no complaints. Even now, however, any team that earns the honor of making it to the World Series would love to have Gibson on their roster. Not only for his timely home-run hitting, but for his drive, leadership, presence, and his determination to win. With Gibson striding to the plate, get ready to repeat Jack Buck's home run call "I don't believe what I just saw!". It's pretty much a given.