he was nicknamed "gibby" and "hoot" (after actor hoot gibson). gibson totalled 251 wins, 3,117 strikeouts and a 2.91 earned run average (era) during his career. he was a nine-time all-star and two-time world series champion. gibson's jersey number 45 was retired by the st. louis cardinals in 1975. in 1981, he was added to the baseball hall of fame.