Take a Gander at Goose

by Kelly Huffman and Chris Hansen

With the launch of the Division Series this week, and all the talk about history, we decided to take you back to the first ever run of the Division Series in major league baseball. The year was 1981 and because of the strike earlier that year, the regular season was played in a split-season format. Two winners came from each league resulting in a division playoff.

Gossage Career Highlights • With White Sox 1972-1976, 1988; Pirates 1977; Yankees 1978-1983, 1989; Padres 1984-1987; Giants 1989; Rangers 1991; A's 1992-1993; Mariners 1994 • Lifetime 124-107, 3.01 ERA, 1,502 K (in 1,809 innings), 310 Saves (eighth all-time) • Appeared in 6 All-Star Games • Appeared in 1 Division Series (6.2 IP, 0 ER, 8 K, 3 Sv) • Appeared in 4 LCS (1-1, 4.91 ERA, 11.0 IP, 10 K, 3 Sv) • Appreared in 3 World Series (1-0, 2.63 ERA, 11 K, 2 Sv), saved the sixth and deciding game in 1978 • Was the pitcher who gave up George Brett's "Pine Tar" home run, which was later credited back to Brett by the Commissioner • Twice won the "Rolaids Fireman of the Year" award

Teams involved that year included the Dodgers and Astros, the Expos and Phillies, the Athletics and Royals, and the Yankees and Brewers. Yankee reliever Goose Gossage appeared in the series between New York and Milwaukee and took the spotlight for himself.

In that series Gossage was masterful, appearing in 3 games, allowing 3 hits, 0 earned runs, and earning the most important statistic, 3 saves. Names like Rick Cerone, Graig Nettles, Reggie Jackson, and Dave Righetti appeared on the Yankees' scorecard. The series was truly a tremendous battle coming down to the final game.

The Yankees won the Division Series 3 games to 2 over the Brewers, with Gossage nailing down all of New York's victories. In what had to be a magical match up to watch, Gossage was pitted against Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers, then the Brewers' ace reliever, who in 1981 became the first relief pitcher to win both the MVP and Cy Young Award.

The series came down to a battle of the relievers - whomever got the chance to come in for the save was going to win the game. Goose happened to get three out of five. That year the Yankees went on to beat the Oakland A's 3 games to 2 in the ALCS, and then lost the World Series to the Dodgers. And if you were wondering how hard Gossage could throw, in that World Series Gossage beaned the Dodgers' Ron Cey. That incident resulted in the mandatory wearing of double ear-flapped helmets for all hitters.

Let's just say that in his day, Goose could bring it.

More than his records, Goose (who's real name is Rich) is known for one of the better nicknames in baseball and for his affinity for facial hair - a lot of facial hair.

Did you know ... Mets catcher Mike Piazza devotes some of his spare time to the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. Piazza drives a Cadillac STS and Mercedes 600s and doesn't have any pets of his own, but loves to play with his parents' German shepherds...Mets first baseman John Olerud wears a batting helmet when he plays defense because in 1989 he had surgery for a brain aneurysm. His doctors have said he doesn't need to wear it anymore, but he wants to always be safe.... For several years, the Astros' Craig Biggio has served as spokesman for the Sunshine Kids, which provides activities for children who are diagnosed with cancer. With the help of many Astros players, Craig and his wife Patty sponsored the Sixth Annual Sunshine Kids Baseball Game and Party for all Sunshine Kids and their families. Craig pitched for two hours to the kids, and after the game, the group was treated to a buffet lunch and Astros goody bags.

He got the nickname "Goose" from his roommate, Tom Bradley, in his rookie year. Bradley began calling him "Goss" but then decide that did not suit Mr. Gossage. He somehow decided that "Goose" fit his looks and personality and the name stuck. Goose said of the nickname in a chat with ESPN, "The best thing about the nickname is you don't know whether the fans are yellin' your name or booing you."

His mustache is a creation more of rebellion than of style. He had a beard in 1981 when Yankees' owner George Steinbrenner decided his team should have no facial hair other than neatly trimmed mustaches. So he shaved everything, except his mustache, which extended up his cheeks. The mustache was allowed to stay and became Goose's good luck charm. It also gave him a little more intimidating appearance on the mound to go along with his blazing fastball.

With that mustache and a name like Goose, you can only imagine the stories he tells about his playing days. Once his Yankee teammate Graig Nettles came to the mound and asked Goose, "don't they have a home plate in the bullpen?" Goose said of the incident in a chat with ESPN, "You laugh at yourselves and you launch at each other. It was like getting on the best ride at Disney and not getting off for 22 years."

Since leaving baseball rather reluctantly in 1995, Gossage has been making the most of retirement. He occasionally heads down to the Yankees' spring training camp and helps instruct a little. He enjoys being with his family and his sons as well as autographs, doing card shows, charity work, and playing the occasional round of golf.

Goosage will make his first hall of fame ballot in 2000 along with Jack Morris, Bob Welch, and Charlie Hough and will try to make a case for the entry of a third reliever into the hall.

Goose certainly had a lasting effect on baseball and a love of the game. With only two relievers in the hall, he has his work cut out for him and some stiff competition on upcoming ballots. He continues to enjoy life and take things as they come and with a smile accented with a thick, bushy mustache.