An Interview With Kirk Gibson

One of baseball’s greatest warriors reveals what helped him hit his famous home run: He knew exactly what pitch was coming.

Interviewed by Eric Enders
1998 

Although he was best known as a football player in college, Kirk Gibson chose baseball and became perhaps the greatest clutch player the game has ever known. A tremendous athlete with both speed and power, Gibson clinched the 1984 World Series for the Detroit Tigers with a home run in Game 5. Four years later he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers and immediately became the team’s inspirational leader, guiding them to a World Championship and winning the National League MVP award. In Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, the injured Gibson limped off the bench to hit what is possibly the most dramatic home run in baseball history: a 3-and-2, bottom-of-the-ninth game winner off Dennis Eckersley, baseball’s best reliever. Gibson retired as a player in 1995; he now works as an environmental activist and Tigers broadcaster. Ten years after the famous homer, I interviewed him upon the release of his autobiography, titled Bottom of the Ninth.

What was it that made you decide to write this book now?  

Well, when you grow older, you pay more attention to where you’ve been, and where you are now, and how you got there, and some of the lessons that you’ve learned, some of the good times, some of the hard times. It’s all relevant. So we thought that there was a message in there for people— the one that makes you keep the faith in yourself and your teammates, your organization, and life in general. So I had some feedback from various people who thought it would be interesting, and it may motivate other people to reach their maximum potential in life.

What were the Dodgers like before you came to them in 1988, and how did you try to change the attitude of the team and make it a winner?

Well, I was a midwestern guy from Michigan, and I knew living in California would be different. That’s one of the reasons I went there, because I wanted to experience different cultures and a different way of life. But I also knew the Dodgers were arguably the most prestigious, classiest organization in baseball, historically. So that’s why I went out there, and when I got out there I was in spring training, and there were some lackadaisickal attitudes that made me feel very uncomfortable. We had an incident happen in spring training, and I kind of reacted... very strictly, I guess you could say. [Ed. note: The incident involved pitcher Jesse Orosco filling Gibson’s cap with eye black as a prank.] I made a statement and basically said if we keep this attitude, we’ll finish in fourth place again. I was here to become a world champion, and we’d better dedicate ourselves and do a better job of taking care of the things we need to take care of. And, you know, the rest is history. We went on, as underdogs, to win the World Championship.

What were you thinking in Game One of the World Series as you walked up to the on-deck circle and then to the plate? What was going through your head?

That we were going to win the game, and I was going to win it for us. I was hurt badly, and I sat in the trainer’s room the whole game trying to rehabilitate as best I could, looking for an opportunity to help my team win. That’s what I visualized. I knew Dennis Eckersley was the best relief pitcher in baseball, and I kind of conditioned my mind to believe that if the opportunity arose, I could step up there and suck it up, and try to help my team out. And that’s what happened.

Were you sitting on the backdoor slider?

Sure was! We had a scouting report from [advance scout] Mel Didier that said Dennis Eckersley likes to throw a 3-2 backdoor slider to left-handed hitters. If you watch the film, when he went into a set position I called time and stepped out. I said to myself what Mel Didier told me: “Partner, as sure as I’m standing here breathing, you get Eckersley 3-2 in a big situation and you’re going to see a backdoor slider.” So I kind of visualized that, stepped back in, and sure enough, there it was.

What was the feeling like as you were rounding the bases?

I was ecstatic. I felt very good about what had happened and how I had contributed, and I thought about some of the not-so-favorable times that I’d experienced in baseball, and it made it all worth it. I’d endured a lot, and it made it all worth it.

Obviously, that’s one of the greatest hits in the history of baseball. Are you worried that you might be remembered only for that even though you had a great career, and you did a lot more than just hit that one home run?

No, you can’t worry. Actually, I wouldn’t have a problem being remembered for that. When you look at my career, I had a good career. I didn’t have a great career; I had a good career. I was a guy with average talent, with a big heart, and a lot of determination. The name of my book is Bottom of the Ninth, because that’s how I saw myself. I saw myself being there when it counted, being there when many others didn’t want to be there — in the bottom of the ninth. Not only in that game, but in many other games in my career, I stepped up and did it when it counted. I know what I did, and I know that’s what I’ll be remembered for. I can’t control it.

Any thoughts on becoming eligible for the Hall of Fame in the next few years? Do you think you’ll have a chance to get in?

No, but it’s not a priority. It never was a priority, and to be honest with you, I can’t say I fully endorse the Hall of Fame. I’m in disagreement with some of their omissions. Certain people aren’t in, and certain people are in. It’s somewhat hypocritical, and it’s all really political. It’s not a big issue with me.

Interview Transcript © 2000 by Eric E. Enders

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