Pronunciation: [bˈɒb ɡˈɪbsən] (IPA) 
Bob Gibson is a former professional baseball pitcher, and his name is spelled as /bɑb ˈɡɪbsən/. In this IPA transcription, the first syllable of Gibson's first name is pronounced as /bɑb/, which rhymes with "lob" or "fob". The second syllable of his surname, "Gibson", has a short "i" sound pronounced as /ɪ/, followed by the consonant sounds -b and -s as /b/ and /s/ respectively. Overall, his name is pronounced as "bob gib-sən".
Bob Gibson refers to a prominent American professional baseball player who is widely recognized as one of the greatest pitchers in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born as Pack Robert Gibson in November 1935 in Omaha, Nebraska, Gibson dedicated the majority of his career to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he played for 17 seasons, from 1959 to 1975.
Gibson revolutionized the art of pitching, known for his fierce competitiveness, exceptional athleticism, and dominant pitching performances. He was recognized for his powerful fastball, a sharply breaking slider, and a renowned reputation for intensity and intimidation. Throughout his career, Gibson was honored with multiple accolades, including two Cy Young Awards, nine All-Star selections, and two World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards. Moreover, Gibson played a crucial role in leading the St. Louis Cardinals to two World Series victories in 1964 and 1967.
Off the field, Gibson was known for his role in breaking barriers within the sport, as he became the first African American Cy Young Award winner in 1968. He left an indelible mark on the game, primarily due to his extraordinary performances during the "Year of the Pitcher" in 1968, where he achieved a remarkable 1.12 earned run average (ERA), the lowest since the modern era of baseball began.
Bob Gibson’s legacy extends beyond his athletic achievements, as he is considered an iconic figure in the game of baseball, admired for his unparalleled dominance, unwavering competitive spirit, and profound impact on the evolution of pitching strategies.
The word Bob Gibson does not have a specific etymology as it is a proper noun and typically refers to the former American professional baseball player, Bob Gibson. Proper nouns are not derived from etymological sources like common words or phrases. However, the name Bob is a shortened form of the given name Robert, which has Germanic origins and is derived from the Old High German name Hrodebert, meaning bright fame. Similarly, Gibson is an English surname derived from the given name Gib, a short form of Gilbert, which originated from the Old Norse name Gisilberht, meaning bright pledge or bright as gold.
