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When I saw Kirk Gibson play for the Los Angeles Dodgers, I quickly realized that he took winning seriously. Most Major Leaguers want to win, but Gibson's incredible competitiveness propelled him to lead two teams to world championships. Gibson's passion to be the best has helped him guide the Arizona Diamondbacks to first place in the National League West, and a probable playoff berth. While g buy nfl tickets rowing up in Michigan, Gibson played football. At the University of Michigan, he played football so well he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals of the NFL. However, after playing only one season of collegiate baseball when he had impressive offensive statistics, the Detroit Tigers chose him in the first round of the Draft. Gibson determined he could have a longer career in baseball and signe buy nfl tickets d with the Tigers. Whereas the legendary Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson felt bad about comparing the young Gibson to Mickey Mantle and worried whether he hampered his development, I think it helped Gibson to become the player that he was. Gibson, when healthy, could do anything on the baseball diamond, and his incredible competitiveness fueled him to be the best. In his second year as an buy nfl tickets everyday outfielder for the Tigers, Gibson played a vital role in their 1984 World Series championship. He earned the American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award and hit an important home run during the World Series against Goose Gossage of the San Diego Padres. It was only the beginning of his World Series heroics. In January 1988, Gibson became a free agent and Dodgers gener buy nfl tickets al manager Fred Claire signed him to a three-year contract. From Day 1 of Spring Training, it was clear that Gibson had one purpose as a Dodger, and nothing was going to stand in his way of achieving that goal. He wanted to bring Los Angeles another world championship. When he joined the Dodgers, they were a mediocre team because they had poor defense and offense, so no one expected them to rea buy nfl tickets ch the playoffs. During Spring Training, a fellow teammate pulled a prank on Gibson, who didn't appreciate that joke and sent a message that he wasn't there for jokes. On Opening Day of the 1988 season, Gibson announced that the Dodgers would win the World Series. Almost every Dodgers fan believed he was an overly confident player. The '88 Dodgers were filled mostly with middle-aged journeymen buy nfl tickets , and fans hoped that the team wouldn't have its third consecutive losing season. While watching Gibson play in 1988, I thought he was nuts, especially when he took his bat to his helmet while wearing it to let everyone know that he was frustrated by his performance. However, I understood he was the adhesive that held the team together and showed them how to play aggressive baseball. I still re buy nfl tickets member how he once raced home from second base on a passed ball to score the winning run. I haven't seen many players do that. In 1988, Gibson earned the National League MVP Award before his postseason heroics. No, he wasn't the best player in the league, but clearly he was the heart and soul of the Dodgers. Even now there is a debate whether the MVP should go to the best player in the league o buy nfl tickets r the most valuable player on a playoff-bound team.Gibson's intense competitiveness enabled him to hit two memorable home runs during the 1988 postseason that propelled the Dodgers to an improbable world championship. This same competitiveness, though it has been toned down over the years, has enabled Gibson to guide the D-backs to a probable NL West title.Last summer, when Gibson took over as D- buy nfl tickets backs manager, it appeared to be a losing cause. The team was awful, with no focus on baseball. Although they had uncontrolled aggressiveness at the plate resulting in a historic number of strikeouts, they had no aggressiveness on the bases. Their bullpen was horrible. With the aid of new general manager Kevin Towers, Gibson assembled an excellent coaching staff featuring Eric Young and Matt buy nfl tickets Williams. Towers traded away the players who struck out the most for pitchers who could get outs, as well as more athletic players.Gibson inspired the D-backs to believe in themselves and be more aggressive on the bases. The team has the most come-from-behind victories in the National League. When the D-backs lost shortstop Stephen Drew for the season, I thought they were done, but I underestim buy nfl tickets ated them. I believe the fast turnaround of the D-backs has earned Gibson -- in his first full year as a Major League manager -- the NL Manager of the Year Award. buy nfl tickets
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