- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 399,917
- Reaction score
- 43
Gibby, meet Freddie.
Detroit Tigers legend Kirk Gibson — wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers jersey — threw a surprise ceremonial first pitch to Dodgers superstar Freddie Freeman ahead of Thursday's Opening Day game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Gibson and Freeman hugged after the first pitch.
Both players hit legendary walk-off home runs over the right-field wall at Dodger Stadium in Game 1 of the World Series for the Dodgers, separated by 36 years — Gibson in 1988 and Freeman in 2024. Both homers led to the Dodgers winning the World Series.
JEFF SEIDEL: Detroit Tigers' Ryan Kreidler takes ride through wacky weeklong journey to starting lineup
In 1988, Gibson — suffering from a leg injuries — hit a walk-off two-run home run against Oakland Athletics pitcher Dennis Eckersley for a 5-4 win in the ninth inning. In 2024, Freeman — suffering from an ankle injury — hit a walk-off grand slam off New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes for a 6-3 win in the 10th inning.
Fox Sports broadcaster Joe Davis referenced Gibson during his play-by-play call of Freeman's home run.
"She is gone!" Davis said. "Gibby, meet Freddie!"
[ NEW TIGERS NEWSLETTER! Sign up for The Purr-fect Game, a weekly dose of Tigers news, numbers and analysis here. ]
Gibson also won the World Series with the Tigers in 1984.
Gibson, who has Parkinson's disease, spent the past 10 years on the Tigers' broadcast team, but he isn't returning to the booth in the 2025 season. Still, he remains a part of the Tigers' front office as a special assistant while focusing on his health.
Contact Evan Petzold at [email protected] or follow him @EvanPetzold.
Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on demand at freep.com, Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Kirk Gibson dons L.A. gear for Opening Day first pitch
Continue reading...
Detroit Tigers legend Kirk Gibson — wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers jersey — threw a surprise ceremonial first pitch to Dodgers superstar Freddie Freeman ahead of Thursday's Opening Day game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Gibson and Freeman hugged after the first pitch.
Both players hit legendary walk-off home runs over the right-field wall at Dodger Stadium in Game 1 of the World Series for the Dodgers, separated by 36 years — Gibson in 1988 and Freeman in 2024. Both homers led to the Dodgers winning the World Series.
JEFF SEIDEL: Detroit Tigers' Ryan Kreidler takes ride through wacky weeklong journey to starting lineup
You must be registered for see images attach
In 1988, Gibson — suffering from a leg injuries — hit a walk-off two-run home run against Oakland Athletics pitcher Dennis Eckersley for a 5-4 win in the ninth inning. In 2024, Freeman — suffering from an ankle injury — hit a walk-off grand slam off New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes for a 6-3 win in the 10th inning.
Fox Sports broadcaster Joe Davis referenced Gibson during his play-by-play call of Freeman's home run.
"She is gone!" Davis said. "Gibby, meet Freddie!"
[ NEW TIGERS NEWSLETTER! Sign up for The Purr-fect Game, a weekly dose of Tigers news, numbers and analysis here. ]
Gibson also won the World Series with the Tigers in 1984.
Gibson, who has Parkinson's disease, spent the past 10 years on the Tigers' broadcast team, but he isn't returning to the booth in the 2025 season. Still, he remains a part of the Tigers' front office as a special assistant while focusing on his health.
Contact Evan Petzold at [email protected] or follow him @EvanPetzold.
Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on demand at freep.com, Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Kirk Gibson dons L.A. gear for Opening Day first pitch
Continue reading...
