Kirk Gibson will receive the Musial Award for Extraordinary Character at a ceremony in St. Louis on November 21, recognising his work advocating for people with Parkinson’s disease. Gibson, a former Detroit Tigers star, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2015 and has since become a prominent figure in the fight against the illness in Metro Detroit.
The Musial Awards, presented by Maryville University and endorsed by the family of St. Louis Cardinals legend Stan Musial, announced the honour on October 12. The Musial family praised Gibson’s “humanity and generosity” in improving others’ quality of life and his courage in confronting Parkinson’s. They also referenced his iconic 1988 World Series home run, calling it a defining moment of his athletic character.
Gibson, 69, is perhaps best known for his time with the Tigers, where he won the 1984 World Series and earned an MVP award. He also won a World Series title with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988, famously hitting a walk-off home run as a pinch hitter in Game 1 while battling injuries. That swing remains one of baseball’s most clutch moments.
Since retiring from playing in 1995, Gibson has worked as a manager, coach, and broadcaster. His Parkinson’s diagnosis transformed his focus. In 2025, he opened the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness in Farmington Hills, a facility offering free programmes to those affected by the disease. The centre currently serves 800 members and expects to more than double that number by the end of 2026.
Earlier this month, Gibson’s foundation launched the “Inspiring Hope” campaign to raise $30 million for the centre’s expansion. The campaign has already raised $15.5 million, including a $1 million donation from Rocket Companies executive Jay Farner. This summer, the centre opened a new multipurpose gymnasium to support its activities.
The Musial Awards organisers said Gibson’s foundation helps individuals regain control over their lives and maintain independence despite Parkinson’s. “At the centre, they know they are not alone. Gibson is there to give them encouragement, inspiration, and the will to keep going,” they said.
Gibson will share the stage with tennis pioneer Billie Jean King, who is receiving the Stan Musial Lifetime Achievement Award. The awards ceremony will be broadcast in a one-hour special on CBS on December 26.
According to Yahoo Sports.