MLB Great Kirk Gibson Will Receive 2026 Musial Award for Extraordinary Character

GIBSON JOINS BILLIE JEAN KING AS HEADLINING HONOREES AT ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF SPORTSMANSHIP IN ST. LOUIS

ST. LOUIS – Oct. 12, 2026 –  Major League Baseball great Kirk Gibson was never one to back down from a challenge. The two-time World Series champion and 1988 MVP seemingly always rose to the occasion during an illustrious 17-year playing career. Now as he faces his greatest challenge, Parkinson’s Disease, Gibson’s humility and selfless efforts to help others battling he disease have earned him recognition as the 2026 recipient of the Musial Award for Extraordinary Character.  Gibson will accept the honor at the Musial Awards presented by Maryville University on Nov. 21 at Stifel Theatre in St. Louis.

The Extraordinary Character award annually lauds an individual who demonstrates remarkable courage, perseverance, and overall sportsmanship.  Considered one of the most clutch performers in baseball history, Gibson has already shown great determination to beat the odds, authoring one of the most dramatic and extraordinary moments in baseball lore with his improbable home run – with a torn hamstring in one leg and a sprained knee in the other – in the 1988 World Series.  Once more, Gibson must defy physical ailments to overcome the challenges of Parkinson’s, with which he was diagnosed in 2015.

As fiercely as he competed as a player, Gibson has brought the same ferocity into his battle against Parkinson’s, while adding a healthy dose of compassion to help thousands of others who are suffering from the disease.  Once diagnosed, Gibson attacked Parkinson’s like he attacked a hanging curveball as a slugger for the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers.  He observed vast resources aimed at finding a cure, but a lack of programs geared toward helping people live with Parkinson’s.  With that inspiration, Gibson was driven to create an oasis for those dealing with Parkinson’s to get all the help they needed in one place – regardless of insurance coverage or financial wherewithal.

The result is the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness – a facility providing comprehensive support for the Parkinson’s community, including physical wellness, mental well-being, and healing arts programs, all free of charge.  The center is a lifeline to anyone on the Parkinson’s journey.  The benefits offered have completely changed the outlook for those with Parkinson’s and their family members / care partners, giving them a place to find strength in shared struggles, an array of movement-based therapies, and a camaraderie filled with understanding and advocacy – in essence, redefining what it means to live with Parkinson’s.

Gibson raises the money to ensure all the programs remain free to members.  And he does much more – he is present at the center nearly every day, greeting and interacting with his new teammates – those who are battling Parkinson’s.  Gibson’s foundation aims to empower each person that walks through the doors to take back control of their lives, maintain independence, and enhance their quality of life.  At the center, they know they are not alone.  Gibson is there to give them encouragement, inspiration, and the will to keep going.

The selflessness Gibson is exemplifying and the hope he’s instilling are noteworthy considering he once described himself as selfish and angry during his playing career.  But over time, including as a Major League manager, he has demonstrated an appreciation for the virtues of decency, kindness, and respect.  When he addressed graduates at Michigan State University – his alma mater – in 2017, he delivered advice befitting a Musial Award honoree.  “No matter what you decide to do in life, do it the right way and be your best; always do it with integrity,” Gibson said.  “Remain humble and always treat others with kindness and respect.  A harsh comment can hurt another person, but a kind word can produce amazing things.”

The Musial family expressed:  “We admire the humanity and generosity Kirk has displayed in seeking to improve the quality of life for others, and we are inspired by the courage he has shown in his own battle with Parkinson’s.  Of course, we can’t overlook his athletic character, and perhaps no moment epitomizes that more than his Game One winning home run in the 1988 World Series.  Taken all together, Kirk is quite deserving of the Musial Award for Extraordinary Character, and we’re thrilled we will have the opportunity to honor him at the Musial Awards in November.”

Gibson will join sports icon Billie Jean King, who will be presented the Stan Musial Lifetime Achievement Award for Sportsmanship at the 2026 Musial Awards.  Known as The Most Inspiring Night in Sports®, the Musials will be packaged into a one-hour special that airs throughout the country on CBS Dec. 26.

MUSIAL AWARDS TICKETS:

Tickets for the 2026 Musial Awards, ranging from $15 to $50, are on sale through Ticketmaster.  In addition to individual awards show tickets, the Musial Awards offers a special VIP Experience ticket, which includes a seat in the orchestra level, a pass to the Musial Awards After Party, and reserved parking for $150.  All-inclusive packages and sponsorships are also available.  More information and a link to purchase tickets is available at MusialAwards.com/tickets.  Groups of 10 or more can take advantage of special group pricing by calling 314-345-5144.

Show time for the 2026 Musial Awards is 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21.

MORE ON THE MUSIALS:

The Musial Awards presented by Maryville University is produced by the St. Louis Sports Commission and the National Sportsmanship Foundation, a charitable nonprofit organization. In addition to keeping Stan The Man’s legacy alive, the mission of the Musial Awards is to encourage kindness, selflessness, integrity and civility in sports and society – and to inspire people across the nation to be good sports. The event has occurred in St. Louis since 2005. Maryville University has served as the presenting sponsor since 2011. The school’s involvement, leadership and generosity have helped make the Musial Awards the most inspiring night in sports®.