Hubbry Logo
Jim BibbyJim BibbyMain
Open search
Jim Bibby
Community hub
Jim Bibby
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Jim Bibby
Jim Bibby
Jim Bibby
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

James Blair Bibby (October 29, 1944 – February 16, 2010)[1] was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 12-year baseball career, he pitched from 1972 to 1984 with the St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, and Pittsburgh Pirates, with whom he was a member of its 1979 World Series champions. In 1973, Bibby pitched a no-hitter against the Oakland Athletics. In 1981, as a member of the Pirates, he missed out on a perfect game by just one hit, allowing a lead off single, before retiring the next 26 batters he faced.

Key Information

Playing career

[edit]

New York Mets organization

[edit]

Bibby attended Fayetteville State University on a basketball scholarship,[2] and also pitched for its varsity baseball team.[3] His professional career began when he was signed by the New York Mets as an undrafted free agent after his junior year on July 19, 1965.[3][4] With Fayetteville State having discontinued its baseball program in the late-1970s, he was the only player from the university to reach the major leagues.[3][5]

After appearing in thirteen games and posting a 2–3 record with an 11.25 ERA with the Marion Mets in 1965,[6] he spent the next two years on active duty with the United States Army as a truck driver in Vietnam.[7][8] On his return to baseball, Bibby moved up the organization's minor league system, first with the Raleigh-Durham Mets in 1968 before splitting time with the Memphis Blues and Tidewater Tides in 1969.[6] His progress was interrupted again in 1970 when a back injury which required a spinal fusion of the first and second vertebrae sidelined him for the entire season and put his career in doubt.[2] Bibby rebounded in 1971 by having his best campaign in the minors, as he led all Tides pitchers with a 15–6 mark.[9]

St. Louis Cardinals

[edit]

Bibby never got to pitch for New York because he was part of an eight-player transaction on October 18, 1971, when he, Art Shamsky, Rich Folkers and Charlie Hudson were sent to St. Louis for Chuck Taylor, Chip Coulter and two players who would help the Mets capture the National League pennant in 1973, Jim Beauchamp and Harry Parker.[10] Bibby earned a promotion to the Cardinals late in 1972 as the Tulsa Oilers' top hurler at 13–9, with a 3.09 ERA, 13 complete games and 208 strikeouts.[11] He made his major-league debut at age 27 as the starter in the second game of a Labor Day doubleheader at Busch Memorial Stadium on September 4. Despite surrendering four runs in 6+1⁄3 innings, Bibby picked up the win in the 8–7 triumph over the Montreal Expos.[12] He made five more starts to finish the season, but lost three of them.[4]

Texas Rangers

[edit]

After beginning 1973 at 0–2 with a 9.56 ERA, Bibby was acquired by Texas on June 6, 1973, in exchange for Mike Nagy and John Wockenfuss.[13] The trade was made at the urging of Whitey Herzog who, prior to becoming the Rangers manager, was the Mets director of player development.[8] Herzog explained, "Bibby throws harder than anybody in this league except Nolan Ryan when he's on top of his game."[14]

On July 30, Bibby no-hit the defending and eventual repeat World Champion Oakland Athletics 6–0 at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, the first no-hitter in the franchise's history.[15] Despite issuing six walks and relying almost exclusively on his fastball,[2] he still registered thirteen strikeouts and outdueled Vida Blue—himself a no-hit pitcher in 1970.[16] After he fanned in the ninth inning, Oakland's Reggie Jackson commented on the strike three pitch, "That's the fastest ball I ever saw. Actually I didn't see it. I just heard it." Bibby, whose salary was $15,000 that year, earned a $5,000 raise from team owner Bob Short as a result of the achievement.[17]

On a ballclub that finished with the worst record in the majors at 57–105 and fired Herzog with 24 games remaining in the campaign, Bibby was its winningest pitcher despite a 9–10 record.[18] When the Billy Martin-managed Rangers became the surprise team of 1974 by going 84–76 and vaulting into second place in the American League Western Division, Bibby (19–19) and the newly acquired Ferguson Jenkins (25–12) each made a club-record 41 starts to anchor the pitching staff.[19] The nineteen losses, however, are also a club record.[8]

Cleveland Indians

[edit]

Bibby's inconsistency with his control plagued him again early in 1975 when he went 2–6 with a 5.00 ERA.[2][4] He was traded along with Jackie Brown, Rick Waits and $100,000 to Cleveland for future Hall-of-Famer Gaylord Perry on 13 June 1975.[20] The deal was actually the result of a feud between Perry and Indians manager Frank Robinson.[21] Bibby compiled a 30–29 record with a 3.36 ERA in his 2+1⁄2 years in Cleveland.[4] More importantly, with the help of pitching coach Harvey Haddix, he worked on improving his delivery to home plate and also added the curveball, slider and changeup to his repertoire.[2]

Bibby was declared a free agent by an arbitrator during spring training on 6 March 1978.[22] The reason was indicative of the financially strapped and inept Indians management at the time. Bibby's 1977 contract included a $10,000 bonus if he made at least thirty starts. He started exactly thirty of the 37 contests in which he appeared, but the Indians failed to make the payment by the deadline stated in the terms of the contract.[20]

Pittsburgh Pirates

[edit]

Bibby signed with Pittsburgh nine days later on 15 March 1978.[23] He was originally expected to be the new closer, replacing Goose Gossage, who had left for the New York Yankees in the offseason. Instead, Bibby became a starter in the five-man rotation and had his most productive years with the Pirates, going 50–32 with a 3.53 ERA in five seasons.[24]

His only postseason experience was when he helped the Pirates capture the 1979 World Series Championship. Despite not getting a decision in any of his three starts, Bibby pitched effectively with a 2.08 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 17+1⁄3 innings.[24] In the 3–2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series at Riverfront Stadium, he pitched seven innings and left the game with a 2–1 lead.[25] Bibby went 6+1⁄3 innings and departed Game 4 of the Fall Classic with a 6–3 advantage in the 9–6 loss to the Baltimore Orioles at Three Rivers Stadium.[26] When the Pirates clinched the series with a 4–1 win in Game 7 at Memorial Stadium, he lasted four innings, with his only mistake being Rich Dauer's home run to lead off the Orioles' third.[27]

Bibby's best year in the majors was in 1980, when he posted a 19–6 record and a league-best .760 win–loss percentage.[4] He also made his only appearance in an All-Star Game that season at Dodger Stadium on July 8. Bibby entered the game in relief of Jerry Reuss and pitched a scoreless seventh inning. After Robin Yount flied out to right field, Bibby surrendered a single to center to Willie Randolph, who was retired when Cecil Cooper grounded to the shortstop for a double play.[28]

Bibby pitched a one-hit complete-game shutout in a 5–0 home win over the Atlanta Braves on 19 May 1981 when he recorded 27 consecutive outs after allowing a leadoff Terry Harper single to right.[29] He also hit a pair of doubles, scored a run and drove in another.[30][31]

After missing all of 1982 with a shoulder injury,[32] Bibby spent one more season with the Pirates as a spot starter/long reliever. He was granted free agency on November 7, 1983.[4]

Retirement

[edit]

Bibby returned to the Rangers on February 7, 1984, but lasted only two months into the regular season as he pitched in eight games out of the bullpen without a decision.[4] His final major league appearance was in a 5–1 loss to the Chicago White Sox at Arlington Stadium on May 26, 1984. After replacing Dave Tobik to start the ninth inning, Bibby allowed a single to Joel Skinner, a double to Rudy Law and an intentional walk to Jerry Hairston, Sr. to load the bases with one out. Bibby managed to not surrender any runs by getting a groundout from Mike Squires and a flyout from Greg Walker.[33] Bibby was released on June 1.[4]

He was picked up by St. Louis again on June 9.[4] Bibby only appeared in two contests, without a decision, for the Louisville Redbirds, the Cardinals' Triple-A farm team at the time.[6] His career as an active player came to an end when he was released on July 1.[4]

Coaching career

[edit]

Bibby earned his bachelor's degree in health and physical education from Lynchburg College in 1980.[2] His first coaching job was with the Durham Bulls immediately after the conclusion of his playing career in 1984.[34] Bibby was the pitching coach for the Carolina League's Lynchburg, Virginia, ballclub from 1985 to 1999. He served the franchise beginning when it was affiliated with the Mets and through parent club/name changes in 1988 (Red Sox both) and 1995 (Pirates/Hillcats). Bibby was honored by the Hillcats in 2002, when his uniform number, 26, was the first one retired in the city's baseball history.[35] He spent the 2000 minor league season in the same capacity with the Nashville Sounds, but retired from coaching after his contract was not renewed.[36]

Personal

[edit]

Bibby was an older brother of former NBA player Henry Bibby and uncle of Mike Bibby.[24]

He was married to Jacqueline Ann (Jordan) Bibby and had two daughters, Tamara Bibby[1] of Washington, D.C., and Tanya Bibby (McClain)[1] of Charlotte, North Carolina.

He died in Central Lynchburg General Hospital on February 16, 2010, due to bone cancer.[1]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jim Bibby

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
James Blair Bibby (October 29, 1944 – February 16, 2010) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played twelve seasons in (MLB) as a right-handed starter and reliever. Born in , Bibby grew up on a family farm and attended on a basketball scholarship before serving in the from 1965 to 1967. He debuted in MLB on September 4, 1972, with the St. Louis Cardinals at age 27, after brief minor-league stints with the organization. Over his career, Bibby compiled a 111–101 win–loss record with a 3.76 () and 1,079 strikeouts in 1,722⅔ innings across 340 games for four teams: the Cardinals (1972–1973), Texas Rangers (1973–1975, 1984), Cleveland Indians (1975–1977), and (1978–1983). His most notable achievements include throwing a for the Rangers on July 30, 1973, against the , and leading the National League with 19 wins in 1980 for the Pirates, earning selection, third place in voting, and 14th in MVP balloting that year. Bibby played a key role in the Pirates' championship, appearing in three games with a 2.08 during their seven-game victory over the Baltimore Orioles. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 235 pounds, he was one of the larger pitchers of his , known for his and durability despite arm injuries that limited his later seasons. After retiring as a player in 1984, Bibby transitioned to coaching, spending 16 years as a minor-league pitching instructor, including 15 seasons with the (1985–1999), where he mentored future MLB talents like and ; his jersey number 26 is the only one retired in the franchise's history. He earned a degree from Lynchburg College in 1977 and remained active in community service, supporting the and Children's Miracle Network in , where he died at age 65 from bone cancer.

Early life

Childhood and family

James Blair Bibby was born on October 29, 1944, in , to Charlie Fulton Bibby and Evelyn Stallings Bibby, who operated a 150-acre in the rural Franklin County community. The Bibbys raised , corn, , hay, and livestock, including cows and chickens, embodying the hardworking agrarian lifestyle typical of the region during the mid-20th century. As the middle of three brothers—Frederick, James, and the youngest Henry—Bibby grew up in a close-knit family environment shaped by farm chores and modest means, though he later reflected that they "were never poor" despite the demands of rural existence. The brothers often engaged in informal athletic play on the farm, fostering early interests in sports amid the fields and barnyards, which provided a natural backdrop for physical activity and competition. Bibby's athletic talents emerged prominently during his time at Franklinton High School, a small that graduated only 26 students in his senior year in and lacked a but supported competitive and programs. He excelled in both sports, showcasing skills that hinted at his future in . A distinctive physical attribute—his exceptionally large hands, capable of holding eight baseballs at once—further underscored his potential as a , drawing attention even in his youth.

Education and military service

After high school, Bibby attended in on a , though his passion lay with . He signed with the as an undrafted on July 19, 1965, following his junior year, but his entry into professional was soon interrupted. Bibby's professional aspirations were postponed when he was drafted into the at the end of his brief 1965 stint, serving two years from 1966 to 1967 as a in . Upon returning in 1968, he resumed his baseball career in the Mets' system, but further delays arose in 1970 due to a severe back injury that necessitated surgery, sidelining him for the entire season and contributing to his major league debut at age 27 in 1972. During his active playing years, Bibby completed his education, earning a in from Lynchburg College in in 1977. This accomplishment reflected his commitment to personal development amid the demands of professional baseball.

Playing career

New York Mets organization

Jim Bibby signed with the as an undrafted amateur in July 1965 following a tryout camp, forgoing a and beginning his professional career with the rookie-league Marion Mets in the . In 13 appearances that season, he struggled significantly, posting a 2-3 record with an 11.25 over 24 innings, allowing 41 hits and 27 walks while striking out just 16 batters. His debut year highlighted early control issues as a reliever, but it marked the start of his development within the organization. Bibby's progression was interrupted by military service in the United States Army from 1966 to 1967, during which he saw combat in , delaying his return to until a January 1968 discharge. Reassigned to the Class A Raleigh-Durham Mets in the that spring, he transitioned to a starting role and showed marked improvement, going 7-7 with a 2.82 ERA in 23 games (19 starts), logging 131 innings with 118 strikeouts against 74 walks. This performance earned him a promotion within the Mets' system for 1969, where he split time between the Double-A of the and the Triple-A Tidewater Tides of the . In 1969, Bibby anchored the Memphis rotation after a slow start, finishing 10-6 with a 3.32 over 122 , striking out 115 while issuing 57 walks, which demonstrated growing command on the . He then moved up to Tidewater later that year, posting a 4-4 record with a 3.48 in 11 starts and 75 , further solidifying his potential as a starter despite the higher competition level. However, his momentum stalled in 1970 when a congenital bone spur in his back required , sidelining him for the entire season and giving him only a 50-50 chance of returning to the game. Bibby made a resilient recovery in 1971, returning to Tidewater as a full-time starter and delivering a breakout campaign with a 15-6 record and 4.04 across 176 innings, though his control remained a challenge with 109 walks issued. This season underscored his physical growth and adaptation to the demands of starting pitching in Triple-A, positioning him as a prospect on the cusp of the majors. His Mets tenure ended on October 18, 1971, when he was traded by the to the St. Louis Cardinals along with , Rich Folkers, and Charlie Hudson in exchange for Jim Beauchamp, Ken Boswell, Harry Parker, and Chuck Taylor.

St. Louis Cardinals

Bibby joined the St. Louis Cardinals organization via trade from the on October 18, 1971, as part of a four-player deal. After a standout performance in Triple-A with the in 1972, where he went 13-9 with a 3.09 over 195 innings and 208 strikeouts, Bibby earned a late-season call-up to the majors. He made his MLB debut on September 4, 1972, starting against the at , where he pitched 6⅓ innings, allowing four earned runs on seven hits while striking out five to earn the win in a 6-4 Cardinals victory. Over the remainder of the season, Bibby made five more starts, finishing with a 1-3 record, 3.35 , and 28 strikeouts in 40⅓ innings, showing promise as a but struggling with control as he issued 19 walks. Entering 1973, Bibby secured a spot in the Cardinals' starting rotation, but his transition to full-time major league duty proved challenging. In his first three starts, he posted an 0-2 record with a 9.56 , surrendering 17 earned runs in just 16 innings while walking 17 batters, which highlighted ongoing issues with command. The Cardinals demoted him briefly to the minors amid the struggles, and on June 6, 1973, they traded him to the Texas Rangers in exchange for pitcher Mike Nagy and catcher , ending his tenure in after two partial seasons.

Texas Rangers

Bibby was traded to the Texas Rangers from the St. Louis Cardinals on June 6, 1973, in exchange for Mike Nagy and John Wockenfuss. Joining a last-place team, he quickly integrated into the starting rotation and posted a 9-8 record with a 3.02 over 17 starts in 164.1 for the remainder of the season, striking out 142 batters while helping stabilize the Rangers' pitching staff. His tenure with Texas peaked on July 30, 1973, when Bibby threw the first in franchise history against the at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, winning 6-0. The right-hander struck out 13 and walked six over nine innings on 148 pitches, relying heavily on his fastball to dominate the defending champions, including fanning twice. This performance marked a turning point, earning him the Rangers' Pitcher of the Year award and solidifying his role as a cornerstone starter. In , Bibby emerged as a durable workhorse, leading the with 41 starts and logging a league-high 264 innings while going 19-19 with a 4.74 and 149 strikeouts. He recorded five shutouts and served as the starter, anchoring the rotation for a Rangers team that improved to 84-76 and finished second in the AL West. Bibby's time in Texas concluded in 1975, where he struggled early with a 2-6 record, 5.00 , and 31 strikeouts in 12 starts over 68.1 innings before being traded away on June 13. Over parts of three seasons with the Rangers, he compiled a 30-33 record, 4.11 , and 335 strikeouts in 76 starts, transitioning from a struggling prospect to a reliable mid-rotation presence.

Cleveland Indians

On June 13, 1975, the Indians acquired Jim Bibby from the Texas Rangers, along with pitchers and Rick Waits and $100,000, in exchange for veteran ace . Bibby debuted with the Indians shortly thereafter, appearing in 24 games that season as a , posting a 5-9 record with a 3.20 over 112.2 , including 62 strikeouts. Bibby's performance improved markedly in 1976, his first full season with , where he went 13-7 with a 3.20 in 34 appearances, making 21 starts and logging 163.1 . He notched three shutouts that year, including a 3-0 victory over the on June 12, highlighting his potential as a frontline starter under pitching coach . Despite these contributions, the Indians finished seventh in the with a 74-88 record, reflecting the team's overall mediocrity. In , Bibby solidified his role as a starter, appearing in 37 games with 30 starts and compiling a 12-13 record, a 3.57 , and a team-high 141 strikeouts over a career-best 206.2 . His contract that year included a bonus for achieving at least 30 starts, which he met exactly, though the Indians delayed the payment. Bibby pitched with notable intensity throughout the season, earning praise for his overpowering style despite the team's 64-97 finish. Over his three seasons with the Indians from 1975 to 1977, Bibby appeared in 95 games, starting 63, and finished with an overall 30-29 record and a 3.36 in 482.2 , with 287 strikeouts and four saves. Following the 1977 campaign, Bibby filed a over the late bonus payment; an arbitrator ruled in his favor on March 6, 1978, granting him free agency. He signed with the just nine days later on March 15, 1978.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Bibby joined the as a on March 15, 1978, following an ruling granting him free agency due to a late incentive bonus payment from the Cleveland Indians. In his first season with the team, he served as a versatile in the and , making 34 appearances with 14 starts and posting an 8-7 record with a 3.53 over 107 . This flexibility helped bolster the Pirates' pitching depth as they geared up for contention in the . Bibby's tenure peaked in , when he emerged as a key starter for the World Series champion . During the regular season, he went 12-4 with a 2.81 ERA in 17 starts and 17 relief outings, contributing significantly to the team's 98-win campaign and NL East title. In the postseason, he delivered a crucial victory in Game 3 of the NLCS against the , pitching seven innings of one-run ball in a 7-1 win that completed the sweep. He then started Games 4 and 7 of the against the , allowing three earned runs over 10.1 innings with 10 strikeouts, though earning no decisions; his steady performance in the clinching Game 7 helped secure the 4-1 victory and Pittsburgh's fifth championship. The following year, 1980, marked Bibby's finest individual season, as he earned his only selection and led the National League with 19 wins, finishing 19-6 with a 3.32 in 34 starts and a league-high .760 . He anchored the rotation with 238.1 innings pitched, placing third in voting and helping to another strong 83-win effort despite a second-place finish. Bibby's performance declined in the ensuing years due to mounting injuries. In the strike-shortened 1981 season, he managed a solid 6-3 record with a 2.50 across 14 starts, including a near on May 19. However, rotator cuff surgery sidelined him for all of 1982, and he struggled upon returning in 1983, going 5-12 with a 6.69 in 12 starts and 29 total appearances over just 78 innings. The Pirates released him as a on November 7, 1983, ending his five-plus seasons with the organization.

Later years and retirement

Following his release by the Pittsburgh Pirates in November 1983, Bibby signed as a with the Texas Rangers in February 1984, hoping to extend his major league career at age 39. He appeared in relief in eight games for the Rangers that season, posting a 4.41 over 16.1 without earning a decision. Bibby was released by the Rangers on June 1, 1984, and briefly signed with the St. Louis Cardinals organization, where he made two minor league appearances before his release on July 1. Citing persistent injuries that had plagued him since a issue in 1981, he decided to retire as a player after the 1984 season, ending his 12-year major league tenure. In reflection, Bibby's major league career spanned 340 games, with 1,722.2 and 1,079 strikeouts, culminating in a 111-101 record and 3.76 . He immediately transitioned toward , joining the as a pitching coach in July 1984 to begin the next phase of his involvement.

Coaching career

Minor league coaching roles

Following his retirement as a player in 1984, Bibby began his coaching career as the pitching coach for the , the ' Triple-A affiliate in the . Bibby then moved to the 's franchise in 1985, where he served as pitching coach for 15 consecutive seasons through 1999, spanning affiliations with the (1985–1987), (1988–1994), and (1995–1999). During this tenure, the team achieved success, including the 1997 championship as the . Bibby's coaching emphasized the development of young pitchers through refined mechanics and strategic preparation, contributing to the growth of several prospects within these organizations. He concluded his 16-year coaching career in 2000 with the Pirates' Triple-A . In tribute to his long-term impact, the retired his number 26 in 2002, the only such honor in the franchise's history at the time.

Notable players and impact

Bibby's tenure as a minor league pitching coach was marked by his development of several pitchers who advanced to successful careers. Among the most notable were , whom he mentored during the 1992 season with the Lynchburg Red Sox, where Sele posted a 13-5 record and 2.91 ERA before becoming a three-time with the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox; , who trained under Bibby in 1997 with the and went on to debut with the as the first overall pick in the 1996 draft; and Frank Rodríguez, a 1992 Lynchburg standout with a 12-7 record and 3.09 ERA who later pitched for five MLB teams over seven seasons. Drawing from his own experiences as a control-oriented who threw the first in Rangers history and started two games in the , Bibby emphasized precision in command and resilience under pressure to his pupils, helping them transition from prospects to professionals. Under Bibby's instruction from 1985 to 1999, the Lynchburg franchise—affiliated successively with the Mets, Red Sox, and —enjoyed sustained success, including multiple playoff berths such as the 1985 division title (95-45 record), three Carolina League championship series appearances during the Red Sox era (1988, 1991, and 1992), and a league in 1997 (82-58 record). Bibby received widespread recognition for his mentoring in the minors, where his guidance bolstered organizational pitching depth for affiliates of the Pirates and Rangers; the retired his number 26 in 2002 as the franchise's sole honored uniform, honoring his 15-year impact on player growth and team stability.

Personal life

Family and basketball connections

Jim Bibby married Jacqueline "Jackie" Jordan in 1968, and the couple had two daughters, Tanya and Tamara. The family maintained close ties, with Jackie and the daughters organizing events like the inaugural Jim Bibby Golf Classic in 2011 to honor his legacy. Bibby's family shared a deep athletic heritage rooted in basketball, despite his own professional pivot to baseball. His younger brother, , became a prominent figure in the sport, earning All-American honors at UCLA under coach and contributing to three NCAA championships from 1970 to 1972. Henry later played nine seasons in the NBA, including as a key reserve guard for the 1973 champion , before transitioning to coaching roles such as head coach at the from 1996 to 2004—where he led the Trojans to three NCAA Tournament appearances—and assistant positions with NBA teams like the and . This basketball lineage extended to Bibby's nephew, —Henry's son—who emerged as an NBA in 2002 during a 14-year career that included stints with the and . Bibby himself embodied the family's basketball ties early on, earning a to primarily for hoops, influenced by his older brother Fred, a star on the Broncos' team and eventual hall of famer there. Although Bibby disliked and focused on —pitching for FSU's varsity squad and signing with the in —the sport's influence lingered through his family's pursuits, even as his career took him to the majors and military service in from 1966 to 1967. The Bibby siblings' backyard games in , fostered a competitive spirit that propelled multiple generations into professional sports, underscoring 's enduring role in their shared legacy.

Community involvement and death

After retiring from baseball, Bibby remained deeply engaged in his adopted hometown of , where he served on the board of the local and acted as an ambassador for the Children's Miracle Network. He was a vocal advocate for the Sickle Cell Foundation and participated in Telethons, as well as the American Cancer Society's events, contributing to and awareness efforts for health-related causes. Bibby also supported various local community initiatives, leveraging his status as a former major leaguer to promote youth programs and charitable activities. In his personal life, Bibby enjoyed as a favorite pastime and was known for his jovial, larger-than-life personality that thrived in social settings, often sharing humor and stories that endeared him to friends and acquaintances. His outgoing nature was evident in community gatherings, where he was remembered as fun-loving and quick to engage with others. Bibby was diagnosed with bone cancer and passed away on February 16, 2010, at age 65 in Lynchburg General Hospital, . He was buried at Briarwood Memorial Gardens in . In recognition of his enduring impact, the had retired his number 26 in 2002—the only such honor in the franchise's history—and following his death, a memorial service was held where tributes highlighted his mentorship of young players and community dedication, including remarks from Susan Landergan, CEO of the , who described him as a "big man with an even bigger heart." The Jim Bibby Memorial Fund was later established in 2021 through the Greater to support health and wellness nonprofits in Central .

References

  1. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/jim-bibby/
  2. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bibbyji01.shtml
  3. https://www.mlb.com/player/jim-bibby-110973
  4. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK197307300.shtml
  5. https://vault.si.com/vault/1981/03/02/hes-not-hot-stuff-hes-my-brother-the-bibby-boys-little-henry-of-the-nba-clippers-and-big-jim-of-the-baseball-pirates-are-notables-though-not-to-one-another
  6. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Jim_Bibby
  7. https://baseballhall.org/discover/card-corner/1983-topps-jim-bibby
  8. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bibby-001jam
  9. https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/1971-transactions.shtml
  10. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=bibbyji01
  11. https://www.mlb.com/news/rangers-no-hitters-c272590230
  12. https://www.nonohitters.com/2020/07/30/bibby-throws-first-rangers-no-hitter-47-years-ago-today/
  13. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TEX/1974.shtml
  14. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/8805/
  15. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TEX/1975.shtml
  16. https://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/2010/02/former_cleveland_indians_pitch_2.html
  17. https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1979_WS.shtml
  18. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2010/02/23/pitcher-helped-pirates-win-1979-world-series/f61a51e5-279c-4b94-95f4-276bae71d45e/
  19. https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-8086010
  20. https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-66007290
  21. https://www.milb.com/lynchburg/news/gcs-8086010
  22. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Lynchburg_Red_Sox
  23. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/04/16/benson-has-no-1-form-against-keys/db972ab2-0732-4e28-8485-97352ac7d9a6/
  24. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/19/sports/baseball/19bibby.html
  25. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Lynchburg_Mets
  26. https://funwhileitlasted.net/2019/08/24/1988-1994-lynchburg-red-sox/
  27. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Lynchburg_Hillcats
  28. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bibbyhe01.html
  29. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/coaches/henry-bibby-1.html
  30. https://www.sacbee.com/sports/article302729784.html
  31. https://fsubroncos.com/news/2021/2/5/general-fsu-celebrates-black-history-month-with-fsu-trailblazers.aspx
  32. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/long-road-back-to-philly/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.