Post by Rob Durkee on Feb 17, 2010 19:25:10 GMT -5
Jim Bibby, who pitched the seventh and deciding game that enabled the Pittsburgh Pirates climax their “We Are Family” 1979 World Series championship, died Tuesday (FEBRUARY 16, 2010) in Lynchburg, Va. He was 65.
Jim also pitched the first no-hitter in Texas Ranger franchise history…and he did against the defending World Serious champion Oakland Athletics on July 30, 1973. His career record was 111-101. He’s the uncle of NBA star Mike Bibby and brother of ex-USC basketball coach (and former UCLA star) Henry Bibby.
Jim was simply a big power pitcher. I can remember him coming close to a no-hitter at least two other times. He also pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cleeeeeeeeveland Indians(!!!)
Above all, Jim Bibby was simply one super person. I can remember interviewing him after a Ranger game and I said, “Jim, this might be a loaded question…”
At that point, Jim looked me in the eye, grinned and said, “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you.”
In 2002, the Lynchburg Hillcats retired his number. He’d been a pitching coach for the team. The first 1000 people who attended that game received a Jim Bibby bobblehead doll. That led Jim to chuckle and say, “Anytime you get a 2-for-1 deal, it sounds pretty good, don’t it? Not many minor league coaches get their jerseys retired. It’s an honor and I’m really appreciative of it.”
Jim also pitched the first no-hitter in Texas Ranger franchise history…and he did against the defending World Serious champion Oakland Athletics on July 30, 1973. His career record was 111-101. He’s the uncle of NBA star Mike Bibby and brother of ex-USC basketball coach (and former UCLA star) Henry Bibby.
Jim was simply a big power pitcher. I can remember him coming close to a no-hitter at least two other times. He also pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cleeeeeeeeveland Indians(!!!)
Above all, Jim Bibby was simply one super person. I can remember interviewing him after a Ranger game and I said, “Jim, this might be a loaded question…”
At that point, Jim looked me in the eye, grinned and said, “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you.”
In 2002, the Lynchburg Hillcats retired his number. He’d been a pitching coach for the team. The first 1000 people who attended that game received a Jim Bibby bobblehead doll. That led Jim to chuckle and say, “Anytime you get a 2-for-1 deal, it sounds pretty good, don’t it? Not many minor league coaches get their jerseys retired. It’s an honor and I’m really appreciative of it.”