Those who attended games got their first glimpse of hard - throwing pitcher and Omaha native Bob Gibson .
However , by 1957 attendance at Cardinals ' games had dropped off dramatically , as a 76 - 78 team drew only 177,000 fans .
Those who attended games got Cardinals ' first glimpse of hard - throwing pitcher and Omaha native Bob Gibson .
However , by 1957 attendance at Cardinals ' games had dropped off dramatically , as a 76 - 78 team drew only 177,000 fans .