One time Mets prospect and veteran Major League pitcher James Blair Bibby died early this morning in Lynchburg Virginia. He was 65 years old.
He was born on October 29, 1944 in Franklinton, North Carolina.Bibby was drafted by the Mets in 1965, and until he along with outfielder Art Shamsky , pitcher Rich Folkers and minor league pitcher  Charlie Hudson were traded by the Mets to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for first baseman Jim Beauchamp, pitchers Harry Parker and Chuck Taylor along with minor leaguer Tom Coulter on October 18, 1971.  in 1971.Â
Bibby was used mostly a starting pitcher, but he also pitched in relief towards the latter part of his career. He was a big  part of the 1979 World Champion Pirates team, . His best season was 1980, when he posted a 19-6 record with a 3.32 ERA with the Pirates.
 Like Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan, Bibby Pitched a no hitter after leaving the Mets. His came on  On July 30, 1973, while he was with the Rangers, against the Oakland Athletics I was the first no hitter in Rangers history. ( the Mets have yet to have one)
On May 19, 1981, at the age of 36 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Bibby gave up a leadoff single to the Atlanta Braves’ Terry Harper, then was perfect for the remainder of the game, proceeding to retire the next 27 straight batters. He pitched nine innings for the 5-0 shutout. On top of that he hit two doubles, going 2 for 3, and drove in a run and scored a run.
Bibby is survived by his brother , basketball player Henry Bibby ,his nephew –  current NBA player Mike Bibby, ex wife Jacqueline Ann (Jordan) Bibby and his two daughters , Tamara and Tanya .
                                                  Â
                                                                      
                                       ” Although he never pitched for the mother team – he still is a part of Mets history !”
6 comments
GravediggerHebner
2/17/2010-6:10pm at 6:10 pm (UTC -4)
I knew you would handle this with class and dignity Rusty. Kudos to you and condolences to the Bibby friends and family.
rustyjr
2/17/2010-6:15pm at 6:15 pm (UTC -4)
hey although he never gets lumped into bad trades that the ets have made – he definitky would have been useful to the mets had he not been traded away for a has been first baseman and a few never was pitchers
fongy2
2/17/2010-6:18pm at 6:18 pm (UTC -4)
Second!
As I leave for Church on this Ash-Wednesday,my prayers
will be with the Bibby family who have given much to
fanatical sports fans such as myself.
I hope all is well with your Bride, Rust.
rustyjr
2/17/2010-6:25pm at 6:25 pm (UTC -4)
thankyou fongy the mrs sends her thanks to everyone who asked about here and wished her well
metsfan4decades
2/17/2010-7:09pm at 7:09 pm (UTC -4)
65….dang that’s young….
R.I.P and my condolences to his family.
rustyjr
2/17/2010-8:13pm at 8:13 pm (UTC -4)
yeah 65 is wayy to young