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.
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
Omaha falls to Louisville 9-1
LOUISVILLE, KY. - Despite promising early defense, the Omaha Storm Chasers’ bats remained stagnant and an explosive 8th inning from the Louisville Bats saw Omaha fall in the series opener 9-1. Noah Cameron made his first Triple-A start since making his dominant MLB Debut with the Royals at Tampa Bay,
Five Homers Fuel Omaha’s 8-1 Win
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers forced a series split with the Indianapolis Indians, as a season-high five home runs and dominant pitching led to Omaha’s largest winning margin of the season, 8-1. Omaha scored two runs in the first and stayed ahead for the rest of the game.
Chasers Bullpen Holds Indy Scoreless in 5-1 win
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers played back into the win column Saturday night, with a 5-1 win over the Indianapolis Indians. Omaha threw a bullpen game, opened by Anthony Simonelli, who tossed a scoreless first inning. Simonelli allowed an unearned run in the second, then Omaha’s bullpen kept
Chasers Held to 2 Hits in 6-0 Loss to Indy
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers lost a second straight game and third of four this week with the Indianapolis Indians, a 6-0 shutout loss Friday night at Werner Park. The Indians scored a run in the third on an RBI single off Omaha starter Thomas Hatch and led
Omaha Falls to Indianapolis 7-2
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers fell to the Indianapolis Indians 7-2 Thursday night at Werner Park, trailing for all nine innings in the game. The contest opened as a pitchers’ duel, with just one hit between the two sides over the first three innings. Omaha’s Ryan Ramsey allowed
Noah Cameron Makes MLB Debut With Kansas City Royals
PAPILLION, NEB. – Omaha Storm Chasers left-handed starting pitcher Noah Cameron made his MLB debut for the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in their game at George M. Steinbrenner Field against the Tampa Bay Rays, the fourth Storm Chaser to debut in the Major Leagues this season
Chasers Score Seven Unanswered to Snap Losing Streak
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers ended their eight-game losing streak Wednesday night, clinching a comeback win to defeat the Indianapolis Indians 9-6 to collect their first win since April 18. Omaha starter Chandler Champlain set the tone early, retiring the first seven batters he faced. Peyton Wilson collected
Storm Chasers Drop Series Opener to Indians
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers lost an eighth consecutive game, dropping Tuesday’s series opener to the Indianapolis Indians 9-7. Indianapolis plated four runs in the first inning on a grand slam and led the rest of the day, with a sacrifice fly in the third inning adding another
Storm Chasers Fall 2-0 to Mud Hens
TOLEDO, OHIO – The Omaha Storm Chasers lost a seventh straight game, falling to the Toledo Mud Hens 2-0 Sunday afternoon, as the Mud Hens swept the Storm Chasers in the six-game series. Toledo scored its first run in the second inning and led the rest of the way, as
Omaha Swept by Toledo in Doubleheader
TOLEDO, OHIO – The Omaha Storm Chasers were swept in a doubleheader Saturday at Fifth Third Field, losing to the Toledo Mud Hens by scores of 3-1 and 4-1. GAME 1: Toledo 3, Omaha 1 After both teams saw their opening pitcher fire two scoreless innings, including 2.0 hitless innings
Omaha Drops Third Straight to Toledo
TOLEDO, OHIO – The Omaha Storm Chasers dropped a third straight game to the Toledo Mud Hens losing 4-3 in 9 innings in the second walk-off defeat of the week for Omaha. Omaha starter Chandler Champlain started strong, retiring his first five batters before four straight singles and an error
Chasers Drop Second Straight to Mud Hens
TOLEDO, OHIO - The Omaha Storm Chasers let twice and kept the game close but couldn’t keep up with the Toledo Mud Hens, falling 8-4 Wednesday at Fifth Third Field. Omaha started hot in the top of the first with a leadoff single from Dustin Dickerson. MJ Melendez followed with
Storm Chasers Drop Series Opener to Mud Hens in 13 Innings
TOLEDO, OHIO – The Omaha Storm Chasers dropped the series opener to the Toledo Mud Hens Tuesday night, a 9-8 loss in 13 innings that lasted over 4 hours. The first four batters of the game reached base for Omaha, with Luke Maile drawing a bases-loaded walk to take a
April 20th Omaha Storm Chasers Game Cancelled
PAPILLION, NEB. – Due to current rain showers and impending inclement weather throughout the day, the Omaha Storm Chasers’ home game against the Norfolk Tides has been cancelled today – Sunday, April 20th – due to inclement weather. With today’s game being the final time Omaha and Norfolk play each
Chasers Fall to Tides 11-1
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers fell to the Norfolk Tides 11-1 Saturday afternoon at Werner Park. Throwing a bullpen game for the third time in four days, Omaha fell behind early as the Tides tagged starter Anthony Simonelli for one run in the first. Norfolk knocked Simonelli out
Sixth Inning Rally Carries Chasers to 10-8 win Over Tides
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers scored eight runs in the sixth inning for the team’s third come-from-behind win of the week, a 10-8 victory Friday night over the Norfolk Tides at Werner Park. Norfolk jumped out to an early lead, tagging starter Noah Cameron for three runs in
Chasers top Tides 4-2 for Second Comeback win of Series
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers scored three in the eighth inning for the team’s second late comeback win of the week, a 4-2 win over the Norfolk Tides Thursday night at Werner Park. After both starting pitchers threw scoreless first innings, Thursday’s game entered a rain delay before
Tides Top Chasers 15-6 on “All About Kids Day” at Werner Park
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers fell behind in the first inning and trailed for the rest of the game, losing to the Norfolk Tides 15-6 Wednesday afternoon at Werner Park. Norfolk knocked Omaha starter Cruz Noriega out of the game in the second inning, tagging the right-hander for
Evan Sisk Makes MLB Debut With Kansas City Royals
PAPILLION, NEB. – Omaha Storm Chasers left-handed relief pitcher Evan Sisk made his MLB debut for the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in their game at Yankee Stadium against the New York Yankees, the third Storm Chaser to debut in the Major Leagues this season and the