Missouri pitcher Kyle Gibson is following in the footsteps of former Tiger aces Max Scherzer and Aaron Crow. Not just the success on the mound, but next month he should join the others as first round picks in the Major League Draft.

Gibson is a flame throwing pitcher, a fiery leader, and the ace of the Tiger pitching staff.

"I think that's one thing that I'm really thinking about is trying to get to a super regional and trying to get further than the Missouri Tigers have been in awhile. I think making it to Omaha would be awesome. That's a goal of ours we want to do," said Gibson.

You can point out his Big 12 best 123 strikeouts, or his five complete games in nine conference starts, but Gibson says the 40 pounds he put on in college is his most important number.

"I think that is the hardest thing I've ever done... Is gain 35-40 pounds," said Gibson.

Ask Gibson where he finds his motivation to succeed and he will tell you his baseball cap.

"It's something every time I put my hat on I think about," said Gibson.Inside the hat are letters and numbers confusing to most, but significant to Gibson.

"I just write that on my hat because of the way that he inspired me and the way that he lived and the way he inspired others," said Gibson.

The inspiration comes from Gibson's childhood friend, Todd Lewis. As kids they played on the same basketball team.Lewis was a high school athlete, too.

"We all knew that he was sick and going through chemo and he would still come sit on the front row and never be able to stand up and cheer because he was still tired, but he came and watched the game and cheered us on," said Gibson.

"WWNFY" stands for we will never forget you. Todd Michael Lewis, "TML", died on 10-24-06.

 "We never really thought he'd lose the battle because he was in remission in the summer before he went to college and then he got sick again and the cancer came back in August and September," said Gibson.

Recently, Gibson gave his glove to Lewis' family. It has the same "WWNFY" on it. He passed on his message without saying a word.

"I think they need to know that other people still think about him and keep them in their prayers and in their mind. They needed to know that he's an inspiration to everyone else and that he's in our minds all the time," said Gibson.

Gibson says he plans to keep putting the saying in his hat after college.He says, so he doesn't forget where he came from and the friend who helped him get there.