Unsafe at Home: Gibson Robbed of His Car, Cash

Dodger outfielder Kirk Gibson was robbed at gunpoint of his BMW and several hundred dollars in cash upon returning to his Santa Monica home after the team’s 2-1 loss to San Diego Wednesday night, police said.

According to Sgt. Clay Smith of the Santa Monica police department, Gibson and his family arrived home early Thursday morning and were met by a gunman who demanded Gibson’s car and money. Gibson complied, and the gunman fled. According to a police source who declined to be identified, Gibson didn’t think the gunman knew him, and Gibson did not want any report of the incident released.

Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda pulled Gibson, who had a streak of 29 straight starts, out of the starting lineup.

“What can I say, it’s a rough thing for him to go through,” Lasorda said. “God forbid it would happen to you, how would you feel? It’s a tough, tough thing.”

Lasorda said he didn’t plan on removing Gibson from the lineup until he learned of the incident Thursday afternoon.

“I had no plans to give him the night off until he came in here,” Lasorda said. “He was so tired, he had been up all night . . . and who can blame him.”

These haven’t been the best of days for Gibson, anyway. By hitting a single in his last at-bat Wednesday, he ended an 0-for-23 streak against the Padres this season. He began Thursday in an overall 4-for-42 slump that had dropped his average to .239, with eight homers and 23 RBIs.

Gibson said of the benching, “It’s not my choice, let’s just leave it at that.”