Top 10 Bob Gibson Baseball Cards
Bob Gibson is the quintessential fan-favorite pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, having spent his entire 17-year career with the team. His popularity as a player translated into many in-demand trading cards and this top list features some of the best Bob Gibson cards across his entire career.
While many hurlers are famous for their early MLB success, Gibson actually attended college on a basketball scholarship and didn't debut with the Cardinals until he was 23. Despite the relatively slow start, he developed into the hardest throwing right-handed pitcher in the National League and finished his career with 251 wins and over 3,000 strikeouts.
The famed pitcher also racked up a bunch of cards. In addition to what is covered below, a few notable cards from Gibson's playing days that didn't quite make the list include the oversized portrait cards from 1964 Topps Giants, 1970 and 1971 Topps Super, and his final card as a player from 1975 Topps. Each of these would also be a great pick-up for collectors on a limited budget.
Also worth noting, Bob Gibson was included in some of the earliest on-card autographs sets. He was a part of the Nabisco All-Star Legends set from 1994, however, the cards were not officially licensed by MLB and all logos were removed from the cards.
Another key early autograph is from 1997 Donruss Significant Signatures, which features 2,000 Bob Gibson autographs signed on the wrong side of the card. Rather than using the open space next to his photograph on the front of the card, Gibson signed the back under the serial numbering. Despite this, Donruss released the card and it created an interesting footnote in baseball card history.
As Bob Gibson was one of the best pitchers from the 1960s and also played for one of the most successful and popular franchises in the league, his cards remained consistently popular. In formulating this top list, card value is a major determining factor along with design and overall demand.
Top 10 Bob Gibson Baseball Cards
Click on the listings to shop for cards or check completed sales prices on eBay. Bolded links in the descriptions go directly to detailed profiles.
10. 1970 Kellogg's 3-D Super Stars Bob Gibson #71
Gibson's card from the 1970 Kellogg's 3-D Super Stars card comes in two forms. One is an error-free version of Gibson's card and the other is missing his total IP during the 1959 season. The 1970 set was Kellogg's first cereal baseball cards and it has become very difficult to find high-graded versions because of issues with the printing process.
9. 1971 Topps Bob Gibson #450
1971 Topps saw the first widespread use of in-game action photos and the Bob Gibson card is one of the best in the entire set. With the stands full of fans looking on, Gibson is getting the sign from the catcher and about ready to start his windup.
8. 1967 Topps Bob Gibson #210
The reverse side of Gibson's 1967 Topps card highlights his amazing fastball that was frequently referenced as the fastest in the game. That fastball was also responsible for his ability to record strikeouts and he still holds the record for most strikeouts in a single World Series with 35 during the 1968 series versus the Detroit Tigers.
7. 1968 Topps Bob Gibson #154
Bowman's 1955 set is famous for the TV design but Topps came close to using their own television-inspired design on the 1968 Topps cards that covered the previous season's World Series. Gibson's card highlights his shutout from Game 4 and the Cardinals eventually won the series in seven games. Gibson's success in the World Series throughout his career is also featured in the 1965 and 1969 Topps sets.
6. 1963 Topps Bob Gibson #415
Taking a look at the back of Gibson's 1963 Topps card, you would be hard-pressed to think that he was going to be a future Hall of Fame pitcher. If you flip the card over, the 1963 set features a large cartoon on the back. Gibson's card shows his catcher diving to try to catch one of his pitches as the Hall of Famer led the league in walks. Up to that point, he had a win-loss record of 34-36, but he would be 217-138 over the rest of his career.
5. 1962 Topps Bob Gibson #530
The Bob Gibson card in 1962 Topps is a short-printed, high-number and it is one of the most difficult and valuable cards to find in the final series. Eagle-eyed collectors should also look for cards #110-#196 of the 1962 set to see if they have the famous green tint that was common in the second series.
4. 1999 Upper Deck Century Legends Bob Gibson Autograph #BG
Gibson has been a frequent signer in modern baseball card sets and his autograph is one of the most recognizable from his era. His signature is very clean and you can always see each letter clearly. His autograph is also famous for the loops in the "B" of his first name and the "i" in his last name never being dotted. The Epic Signature autograph in the 1999 Upper Deck Century Legends set is a beautiful example of a quality Gibson signature.
3. 1961 Topps Bob Gibson #211
A great starting spot for Bob Gibson player collections, 1961 Topps marks the point for Gibson where card value typically falls significantly as it is his third major set. Because Gibson's career started slowly, making his first All-Star team at 26 and notching his first 20-game winning season at 29, his most valuable cards are actually from the period of his career when he wasn't a great pitcher yet.
2. 1960 Topps Bob Gibson #73
Gibson's 1960 Topps card reminds us that he was a multi-sport athlete and attended Creighton University on a basketball scholarship. He even delayed beginning his baseball career with the Cardinals to spend a year playing for the Harlem Globetrotters. Ferguson Jenkins is another Hall of Fame pitcher that also spent time on the Globetrotter's roster.
1. 1959 Topps Bob Gibson RC #514
The 1950s have so many remarkable releases and the 1959 Topps Bob Gibson rookie card puts a nice topper on a key decade for collectors. Gibson's hot pink card with his broad smile is the top rookie and the most valuable card in the entire 1959 Topps set.
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