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.