Kirk Gibson’s 1988 season is most remembered for his first and only plate appearance of the World Series. Suffering from a stomach virus and injuries to both legs, Gibson limped to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game One with the Dodgers trailing 4-3. Representing the winning run, Gibson hit a home run off Oakland Athletics star closer Dennis Eckersley, giving Los Angeles the win and the 1-0 series lead.
By Nick Piecoro | The Arizona Republic
Former Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson, a former MVP and World Series hero, announced Tuesday he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Gibson, who helped the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers win championships as a player and led the Diamondbacks to the playoffs as manager in 2011, had been working as an analyst with Fox Sports Detroit but had been absent from the booth since Opening Day.
“I have faced many different obstacles in my life, and have always maintained a strong belief that no matter the circumstances, I could overcome those obstacles,” Gibson, 57, said in a statement. “While this diagnosis poses a new kind of challenge for me, I intend to stay true to my beliefs. With the support of my family and friends, I will meet this challenge with the same determination and unwavering intensity that I have displayed in all of my endeavors in life. I look forward to being back at the ballpark as soon as possible.”
