Gimme the pump, Gibby

Kirk Gibson epitomizes the Detroit Tigers. Its ironic that his most memorable moment as a ballplayer is with the Dodgers. The LA Times takes a stroll down memory lane in this interview with Gibby about that moment: the game-winning homer in the 1988 World Series opener against the Oakland Athletics, the greatest moment in Los Angeles Dodger history.

'When I got out and heard the crowd, I programmed myself to say, 'I won't hurt,' ' he says.

But Kirk Gibson will not relive the fist pump.

He can't explain it. He will not repeat it. He never has. He never will.

'All the time guys are saying, 'Gimme the pump, Gibby,' but I can't do it,' he says. 'You gotta feel it. You can't be phony about it.'

As he limped between first and second base on that cool night long ago, the thrust of Gibson's right arm mirrored the thump of a city's heart.

He felt it. We felt it. It was so quick, so stunning, it captured our breaths and challenged our faith.

Amen to that. Some nice memories, and a nice read too. Link