On 'Gibby's Day,' Kirk Gibson reflects on Parkinson's foundation success

Detroit — He might be a legend around these parts, but Kirk Gibson is also grandpa. And that’s all two of his grandkids cared about as they rushed up to him for hugs and attention as he sat under a shade tent on the outfield concourse at Comerica Park on Thursday afternoon. Gibson, along with The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s, spent Thursday afternoon at the home of the Tigers for “Gibby’s Day,” a now-annual promotion between the foundation and the Tigers with proceeds from ticket sales going to support the group.

He went on the broadcast to explain it all to the TV audience, and then sat down for a meet -and-greet and to sign autographs. But the grandkids, they came first. Gibson hoisted them onto his lap, and the younger of the two started to fidget with Gibson’s glasses, down around his neck.

Gibson noticed the ketchup stains on the older grandkid’s “Gibson” No. 23 jerseys, quipping that they must’ve enjoyed a hot dog. “That's why you stick around,” Gibson said.

“Gibby’s Day” might be built around the attraction that is Gibson, a baseball and Michigan sports legend in his own right, but he and his foundation are here with goals in mind. Namely, to continue fighting the good fight against Parkinson’s disease, which Gibson was diagnosed with in 2015. It’s what led Gibson to start his foundation and recently open the Kirk Gibson Center — his own brainchild — in Farmington Hills, which offers programming and community for people with Parkinson’s, free of charge.