Bob Gibson

The St. Louis Cardinals pitcher, who died Oct. 2, holds the record for most strikeouts — 17 — in a World Series game. He spoke to Fresh Air in 1994 and again, with slugger Reggie Jackson, in 2009.

The former Cardinal was a record-breaking baseball player in the 1960's, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981. He's just written his autobiography, which explores his rise from the Omaha projects to the major leagues, and being an early black ballplayer. The book is called "Stranger to the Game."