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Hochman: 50 years ago, a boy met Bob Gibson and asked for a shutout. Gibson then pitched his only no-hitter.

In the middle of the crowd is pitcher Bob Gibson being congratulated by his Cardinals teammates, Aug. 14, 1971 after completing the first no-hitter of his career. UPI file photo

Bob Gibson and Rocco Petrilli

The Post-Dispatch's Neal Russo put it so well: Bob Gibson proved a better pitcher than prophet in his career's only no-hitter. He had predicted he never would hold a foe hitless . . .

It was an Italian wedding, so there were piles and piles of cookies, but little Rocco Petrilli wanted a candy bar.