World-Herald editorial: Baseball legend worthy of statue

Published Sunday December 25, 2011
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"One writer asked me a few days ago, what did I want to be remembered as, and I thought about it and I said: 'I want to be remembered as a person, a competitor, that gave 100 percent every time I went out on the field.' "

? Bob Gibson, during his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Aug. 2, 1981.

Sarpy County hopes to put a statue of former big-league pitcher Bob Gibson near the Werner Park entrance to honor the baseball legend who has lived in the county for 40 years.

It would be tough to find a better subject for bronze.

Sarpy County Attorney Lee Polikov, who is overseeing the planning effort, said the tribute at the Omaha Storm Chasers ballpark would honor the Omaha native who pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals, and his journey to overcome illness, poverty and racial prejudice. It would include plaques with historical information about Gibson, including his Creighton University athletic career.

The Hall of Famer and one-time Harlem Globetrotter is a five-time winner of 20 games in a season, a nine-time All-Star, two-time World Series most valuable player, National League MVP, nine-time Gold Glove Award winner, two-time Cy Young winner and a member of Major League Baseball's All-Century team.

As the Hall of Fame says in his biography, Bob Gibson was "one of the best athletes to ever play the game," a player who "established himself as the very definition of intimidation, competitiveness and dignity."

There may be only one question to ask about the statue plans: Is 8 feet tall enough?

Copyright ?2011 Omaha World-Herald?. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald.

Source: http://www.livewellnebraska.com/article/20111225/NEWS0802/712259983

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