Manufacturer: Fleer
Set: 1981 Fleer Baseball ➡️
Player Name: Kirk Gibson
Position/Team: Outfield for Tigers
Card #: 481
Card Size: 2-1/2” x 3-1/2”
Card Values: See Pricing Table Below
Kirk Gibson had a remarkable 17-season career in Major League Baseball, primarily known for his time with the Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was a versatile outfielder, batting and throwing left-handed, recognized for his blend of power and speed.
He was a key player on the 1984 Tigers team that won the World Series. In that series, he was named the American League Championship Series (ALCS) MVP, batting .417 with a home run, and hit a crucial three-run homer in Game 5 of the World Series to help clinch the championship. In 1988, Gibson signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. That year proved to be the most iconic of his career. He won the National League MVP award, batting .290 with 25 home runs and 31 stolen bases. However, he is most remembered for his dramatic pinch-hit, walk-off two-run home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series against the Oakland Athletics.
After his stint with the Dodgers, Gibson also played for the Kansas City Royals (1991) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (1992) before returning to the Detroit Tigers for his final three seasons (1993-1995).
Following his playing career, Gibson transitioned into coaching and managing. He served as a coach for the Detroit Tigers from 2003-2005 and for the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2007-2010. He then managed the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2010-2014, leading them to a National League West title in 2011 and earning the NL Manager of the Year award.
Gibson has also worked as a television analyst for the Tigers. In 2017, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a wide receiver at Michigan State University, where he was an All-American in both football and baseball. In June 2025, he received the Fred Valentine Lifetime Achievement Award from the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, recognizing his integrity, passion, and dedication to service, particularly through the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s, which he established after his 2015 diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease.
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Pricing Data For This Rookie Card
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