35 years ago, signing Gibson reversed Dodgers’ descent
Coming off two consecutive dropping seasons, the Dodgers knew they wanted to make some huge modifications in 1988. They signed veteran pitcher Don Sutton and outfielder Mike Davis, acquired relievers Jesse Orosco and Jay Howell, and infielder Alfredo Griffin. And then, of their most high-profile transfer 35 years in the past on Jan. 29, 1988, they gave Kirk Gibson a three-year, $4.5 million contract.
At the time, Gibson, a Tiger for 9 years, was one of many premier energy/pace gamers in baseball — he hit 24 homers, stole 26 bases and posted a 130 OPS+ the season earlier than. But past the numbers, the 31-year-old had a popularity for enjoying arduous evening in and evening out throughout the lengthy 162-game schedule.
“[Gibson’s] a bulldog,” supervisor Tommy Lasorda instructed the Los Angeles Times. “We’ve not only done a lot to change the personnel this winter, we’ve done a lot to strengthen the character.”
Gibson expressed unhappiness having to half methods with Detroit, however he was excited for a recent begin.
“The way L.A. structured the contract, I’d have been an idiot to turn it down. I made my choice and I’m happy with it. It’s a new experience for us [Gibson and wife JoAnn have two children], and it’ll only be as positive as we make it.”
Things, as you might properly know, ended up being fairly optimistic.
Gibson took residence National League MVP honors in 1988 — posting 25 residence runs, 76 RBIs, 31 steals, a .290 batting common and 6.5 WAR. The Dodgers completed 94-67, good for first place within the National League West.
The Dodgers beat the Mets in seven video games within the NL Championship Series. Gibson performed a giant function — hitting two homers with six RBIs — however he severely injured his left hamstring and proper knee in Games 5 and seven. Playing within the World Series appeared like a longshot — Gibson famously spent most of Game 1 in shorts within the clubhouse, icing his legs and watching the sport on TV. But then, within the eighth inning, bothered by a Vin Scully comment that the outfielder was unlikely to be obtainable to pinch-hit, Gibson took some swings off a tee and declared to his supervisor that he was able to go.
And so it went. Down one run with a person on and two outs within the backside of the ninth inning, Gibson limped as much as hit within the pitcher’s spot. We’ll let Scully take it from right here:
It ended up being Gibson’s lone plate look in that Fall Classic, however there is no doubt it helped propel the Dodgers to an eventual World Series title.
So yeah, in hindsight, signing Gibson on that winter day in January 1988 looks like a fairly good transfer.
