Highlighting Omaha's Black Stars: Bob Gibson
Bob Gibson’s career alone stands out as not only one of the greatest by an Omaha native or Nebraskan, but arguably one of the greatest in the history of professional baseball. A two-time Cy Young Award winner, 1968 NL MVP, nine-time All-Star, nine-time Gold Glover, two-time World Series champion and
Bob Gibson’s career alone stands out as not only one of the greatest by an Omaha native or Nebraskan, but arguably one of the greatest in the history of professional baseball. A two-time Cy Young Award winner, 1968 NL MVP, nine-time All-Star, nine-time Gold Glover, two-time World Series champion and World Series MVP, Gibson was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981.
Gibson is one of six members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame born in Nebraska, company with Grover Cleveland Alexander, Richie Ashburn, Wade Boggs, Sam Crawford, and Billy Southworth. He’s one of two born in Omaha (along with Boggs), but arguably has the deepest ties to the city of any professional athlete.
Born in Omaha to Pack and Victoria Gibson on November 9, 1935, Bob grew up playing basketball and baseball at his local YMCA, then went on to star in basketball at Omaha Technical High School and was a standout in both sports for the Bluejays at Creighton University. After graduating from Creighton in the spring of 1957, Gibson signed a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. While he briefly played for the Harlem Globetrotters, Gibson soon shifted his entire focus to baseball.
From 1900 to 1936, Omaha served as the home for a smattering of minor league teams, many playing in the Class A Western League. The rise of World War II put a pause on baseball in the city, but the Western League was reformed in 1947 and baseball returned to Omaha in the form of the Omaha Cardinals. In 1955, the St. Louis affiliate shifted to the Triple-A American Association and the club was soon graced with the presence of one Omahan named Bob Gibson.
Gibson played professionally in Omaha from 1957 to 1959 for the Omaha Cardinals, at Omaha Municipal Stadium (later known at Rosenblatt Stadium). The right-hander pitched 47 games (33 starts) for the Cardinals with 170 strikeouts in 264.0 innings over parts of three seasons, finally breaking into the Major Leagues with St. Louis in 1959.
The then-23-year-old cracked the 1959 Opening Day roster for St. Louis, making his Major League debut with 2.0 innings of relief on April 15 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum against the Dodgers.
Gibson’s 1968 season is widely remembered as one of the greatest pitching seasons in baseball history. He posted a 1.12 ERA over 34 starts, with 268 strikeouts in 304.2 innings and a 22-9 record with 13 shutouts. On August 14, 1971, Gibson no-hit the eventual World Series Champion Pittsburgh Pirates, with 10 strikeouts in a 11–0 Cardinals win at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh.
Upon his retirement from playing baseball at the conclusion of the 1975 season, Gibson returned to live in his hometown of Omaha. In 2013, the Storm Chasers commemorated Gibson’s career with a statue outside of Werner Park, while the street on the north side of Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, next to the site of the former Rosenblatt Stadium, is named Bob Gibson Boulevard.
Gibson’s jersey number 45 was retired by the St. Louis Cardinals in September 1975, then he was inducted into the Baseball Hall Of Fame in 1981, earing 84.0% of the vote on his first ballot. In 1999, Gibson was elected Major League Baseball All-Century Team, one of nine pitchers selected. Busch Stadium in St. Louis also displays a bronze statue of Gibson in front of the stadium, and he was a member of the inaugural St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum class in 2014.
Melendez Homers Twice as Chasers top Saints
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers snapped a 3 game losing streak with a 5-2 win Saturday night against the St. Paul Saints. Left-hander Nate Ackenhausen quickly set the tone for Omaha, throwing 2.0 scoreless innings to open the game, with 3 strikeouts. The Storm Chasers took a 1-0
Andrew Hoffmann Makes MLB Debut With Kansas City Royals
PAPILLION, NEB. – Omaha Storm Chasers right-handed pitcher Andrew Hoffmann made his MLB debut for the Kansas City Royals on Friday, May 30, 2025, in their game at Kauffmann Stadium against the Detroit Tigers, the seventh Storm Chaser to debut in the Major Leagues this season and the fifth to
Storm Chasers Fall Short in Back-and-Forth Loss to Saints
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers dropped a third straight game to the St. Paul Saints Friday night, a back-and-forth effort that resulted in a 9-7 final score. Right-handed starter Chandler Champlain gave up an early run that put St. Paul ahead, 1-0, though he retired the next three
Chasers Community Nights Kick off Sunday, June 1 at Werner Park
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers are proud to partner with Leonard Management McDonald’s for six Community Nights during the 2025 season, beginning on Sunday, June 1, to celebrate the communities that make up the greater Omaha area. New in 2025 is Lincoln Community Night, with Bellevue, La Vista/Ralson,
Storm Chasers Fall 3-1, Saints Takes Series Lead
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers and St. Paul Saints took a pitchers’ duel into the 7th inning on Thursday night, but the Saints triumphed, 3-1, to take a series lead over the Chasers. Right-handed pitcher Thomas Hatch threw 7.0 shutout innings, earning his 3rd quality start of the
Series Evens With 5-2 Loss to St. Paul
PAPILLION, NE. – The Omaha Storm Chasers were defeated 5-2 by the St. Paul Saints Wednesday night at Werner Park, evening the series at one game apiece. Right-handed pitcher Henry Williams made his Triple-A debut with Omaha and retired the first five Saints he faced, throwing two straight scoreless innings
Omaha Opens Series with a Win Against St. Paul
PAPILLION, NE. – The Omaha Storm Chasers kicked off a six-game series against the St. Paul Saints with a 7-5 win, Tuesday night at Werner Park. The Saints took an early lead in the first half of the game, as Omaha starter John Gant gave up solo home runs in
John Rave Makes MLB Debut With Kansas City Royals
PAPILLION, NEB. – Omaha Storm Chasers outfielder John Rave made his MLB debut for the Kansas City Royals on Monday, May 26, 2025, in their game at Kauffmann Stadium against the Cincinnati Reds, the sixth Storm Chaser to debut in the Major Leagues this season and the fourth to do
Caglianone Homers Twice in Extra-Inning win at Salt Lake
SOUTH JORDAN, UTAH – The Omaha Storm Chasers snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 5-3 win in 10 innings, Sunday afternoon over the Salt Lake Bees. Jac Caglianone started the scoring for Omaha in the top of the first, with a 459-foot solo home run to right field, his
Storm Chasers Drop Fifth Straight to Salt Lake
SOUTH JORDAN, UTAH – The Omaha Storm Chasers dropped a fifth straight game to the Salt Lake Bees, losing 14-11 Saturday night, despite clubbing five home runs as a club. John Rave opened the game with a solo homer to begin the top of the first, then added a two-run
Storm Chasers Walked Off by Bees in 11-10 Loss
Omaha’s late lead slipped away, securing series win for Salt Lake SOUTH JORDAN, UT. – After an explosive first inning from both the Omaha Storm Chasers and Salt Lake Bees, a back-and-forth battle for the lead ensued. Despite taking the lead of three separate occasions, Omaha fell in an 11-10
Omaha Drops Third Straight to Salt Lake
SOUTH JORDAN, UT. – After what began as an offensive deadlock, the Omaha and Storm Chasers and Salt Lake Bees saw surges after back-and-forth innings. However, the Bees pulled ahead in the bottom of the 7th and held the lead for a 9-5 win, a third straight loss for the
Omaha Drops Second Straight to Salt Lake
SOUTH JORDAN, UTAH – The Omaha Storm Chasers dropped a second straight game to the Salt Lake Bees, falling 6-4 in another back-and-forth affair. Omaha was first onto the scoreboard, as Nick Loftin doubled John Rave in for a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Rave, who
Storm Chasers Drop Series Opener in Salt Lake 6-5
SOUTH JORDAN, UTAH – The Omaha Storm Chasers made a late comeback attempt but fell short, dropping the series opener to the Salt Lake Bees 6-5. Salt Lake was first onto the scoreboard, scoring a run in the first on three straight hits against Omaha starter Thomas Hatch, who proceeded
Chasers Drop Finale to Columbus, Split Series
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers dropped the series finale to the Columbus Clippers, losing 9-6 to split the series, three game each. The two teams went back-and-forth for much of the afternoon, with Omaha holding a lead two separate times, while Columbus led three separate times. The Clippers
Chasers Fall to Clippers 8-2
PAPILLION, NEB. – Despite Nelson Velázquez’s third home run of the week, the Omaha Storm Chasers fell to the Columbus Clippers, 8-2 Saturday night at Werner Park. The first 13 Storm Chasers hitters of the night were retired by Columbus starter Will Dion, and a solo homer from Velázquez with
Melendez Homer Walks Off Clippers
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth and MJ Melendez hit a walk-off home run to beat the Columbus Clippers 9-7. The first half of the game was even – with both teams scoring a run in the second inning –
Chasers Comeback Falls Short in 14-10 Loss to Clippers
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers nearly completed a miraculous comeback Thursday night at Werner Park, but fell to the Columbus Clippers 14-10. Columbus controlled the first half of the game, scoring 9 runs over the first 5.0 innings. Omaha starter Luinder Avila opened the game with a scoreless
Three Homers Power Chasers to 8-3 win over Clippers
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers won a second straight game over the Columbus Clippers, as three homers and a quality start paved the way for an 8-3 victory Wednesday night at Werner Park. John Rave walked to open the bottom of the first inning, then quickly scored on
Storm Chasers win Series Opener Over Clippers 9-3
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers won the series opener over the Columbus Clippers, a 9-3 win Tuesday night at Werner Park. Chandler Champlain earned his first win of the season, holding the Clippers to 1 run over 5.0 innings, while allowing just one walk and striking out six.
Chasers Walked off in Louisville to Split Series With Bats
LOUISVILLE, KY. – The Omaha Storm Chasers were walked off on by the Louisville Bats, 4-3 in the nine innings, to force a series split at Louisville Slugger Field. The two teams traded scoreless frames in the first three innings, but the Bats got on the board in the fourth,
Avila Spins Gem in 9-0 Omaha win at Louisville
LOUISVILLE, KY. – The Omaha Storm Chasers won a third straight game over the Louisville Bats, a 9-0 win Saturday at Louisville Slugger Field. Right-hander Luinder Avila compiled his best outing at the Triple-A level and one of the best of his professional career, as the righty held the Bats
Chasers Even Series With 5-2 win over Bats
LOUISVILLE, KY. – The Omaha Storm Chasers evened this week’s series with the Louisville Bats at one win apiece, with a 5-2 win Friday night at Louisville Slugger Field. The two teams traded runs early, with both sides scoring a run in the first. John Rave and Nick Loftin drew
Hatch First Quality Start as Chasers Beat Bats
LOUISVILLE, KY. – The Omaha Storm Chasers scored six runs in the sixth inning, en route to a 6-1 win over the Louisville Bats Thursday at Louisville Slugger Field. Omaha starter Thomas Hatch threw his first quality start of the season, holding the Bats to one run over 6.0 innings.
Rave Homers Twice but Omaha Falls in Louisville 6-5
LOUISVILLE, KY. – Despite a pair of home runs from John Rave, the Omaha Storm Chasers fell to the Louisville Bats, 6-5 at Louisville Slugger Field Wednesday afternoon. Rave opened the game with a solo homer, his third such long ball of the season, giving Omaha a 1-0 lead. He