Hall of Fame pitcher, Cardinals icon Bob Gibson dies at 84

Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson, a St. Louis Cardinals icon and one of the most dominating and intimidating right-handers to ever set foot on a mound, died Friday at age 84, according to The Associated Press.

Gibson had battled pancreatic cancer for over a year, according to Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He died in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska.

Shock and sadness spread through the Cardinals' clubhouse following the news of his death. Righty Jack Flaherty, who spent time with Gibson while coming up in the team's system, was among the first to pay tribute after the team's playoff loss in San Diego.

"I don't want to talk about myself right now," an emotional Yadier Molina told reporters, according to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat. "I just heard the news about Bob Gibson.

"To lose a legend like that, it's hard."

The Cardinals signed Gibson in 1957 out of Creighton University, and he made the majors just two years later. He was a nine-time All-Star, two-time Cy Young Award winner, and also took home the 1968 NL MVP. A well-rounded athlete, he also won nine Gold Gloves during his career - the third-most at his position.

In 1968, known as the "Year of the Pitcher," he produced his most famous season. Gibson earned his MVP by posting a 1.12 ERA - still the lowest of the live-ball era, and fourth-best in history - along with 268 strikeouts and a 0.85 WHIP for the pennant-winning Cardinals.

Gibson is also regarded as one of the greatest postseason pitchers of all time, crafting a 1.89 ERA in nine playoff starts, with eight being complete games. He led the Cardinals to three NL pennants and two championships, winning World Series MVP in 1964 and '67; in the latter series, he went 3-0 with a 1.00 ERA, 26 strikeouts, and a home run in Game 7 at Fenway Park. In 1968, he set a still-standing World Series record, striking out 17 Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of the series.

Gibson - known for his intense competitive drive and trademark stare from the mound - finished his career with a 251-174 record, a 2.91 ERA, and 3,117 strikeouts over 17 seasons. He was the second pitcher ever to record 3,000 strikeouts, and first to do so in the National League. Gibson also hit 24 home runs, tied for seventh all-time among pitchers, and threw a no-hitter in 1971.

The first-ballot Hall of Famer was inducted in 1981. The Cardinals have retired his No. 45 jersey, and he's also a member of the team's Hall of Fame. MLB named him as a member of the All-Century Team in 1999.

After retiring from playing, Gibson spent time as a pitching coach with the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, and Cardinals. He later worked in broadcasting, both for the Cardinals and on national telecasts.