Former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Kyle Gibson is rejoining the Baltimore Orioles. The 37-year-old has agreed to a one-year deal, the team announced on Friday. Gibson was dealt to the Phillies from the Texas Rangers in late July 2021, his lone all-star season.
Before joining Philadelphia, Gibson had a 6-3 record and 2.87 ERA, but he could not sustain that form. He finished 2021 with a 4-6 record, 5.09 ERA, and 1.290 WHIP. In his first full year with the Phillies in 2022, Gibson provided more of the same.
He posted an above-.500 win-loss rate, a 5+ ERA, and had typical innings-eater productivity. Gibson did appear in two postseason games on the team’s run to the World Series. He saw action in the NLCS and World Series, going 2 and 1/3 innings without allowing a run. But Gibson’s stats do not tell the whole story. Perhaps Gibson’s most memorable achievement in Philadelphia was earning the team’s 2022 Roberto Clemente Humanitarian Award nomination.
It was the second of his three nods for three franchises (Minnesota Twins in 2019, Baltimore in 2023). Even in such a short time in the city, Gibson made an unforgettable impact on the community: Gibson donated clothes and necessities to a nonprofit food bank and organization. He also launched a fantasy football league and a golf event to support families with children battling cancer. While Gibson may not be a name mentioned in nostalgic conversations in 20 years, his decade of consistent play and charitable efforts stand out. He should have back-end rotation opportunities with Baltimore and receive a warm welcome from the community.