On Bob Gibson's 79th birthday, watch him set the record for strikeouts in a World Series game

It was the "Year of the Pitcher" in 1968 but it might as well have been the Year of Bob Gibson. He recorded a 22-9 record, a 1.12 ERA, 268 strikeouts and 11 shutouts. Oh, and as you can see in the video above, he also set the record for strikeouts in a World Series game. He whiffed 17 batters in 9 innings, a number no one has been able to top yet.

Or maybe 1959 was the Year of Bob Gibson. That's when he made his debut with the Cardinals, the team with which he played his entire 17-year career. Or what about 1962, when he was named to the first of his nine All-Star teams? It was the first time he posted more than 200 strikeouts in a season, but he'd do it nine more times.

Maybe it was 1970, when he struck out 274 batters and hit .303 himself. Or 1971, when he recorded his 200th career win and no-hit the Pirates ten days later.

Perhaps 1974, when he struck out his 3,000th batter? Of course, it could have been 1957. But he was playing for a different team then:

Let's be honest: It was the Century of Bob Gibson and the rest of us were just living in it. Happy birthday, Gibby.