Vindication

by jscape2000 on Jan 8, 2008 2:15 PM EST in New York Yankees News

A power pitcher who snarled beneath his mustache and intimidated hitters with his 98-mph fastball, along the way, Gossage went from rookie closer to starter back to veteran closer and finally finished as a setup man. Near the end of his career, Goose set up in Oakland for Dennis Eckersley, who was elected to Hall of Fame in 2004 and may have broken some ground for relievers.

No doubt about it, Gossage belongs in the Hall. I assume he'll go in as a Yankee; I guess second choice would be as a Padre. All the press stuff I've seen so far shows him as a Yank.

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Goose on the loose

Congrats to the Goose. To commemorate this day, I'm re-telling my brush with Goose. Enjoy. I was 15 when Goose Gossage and Ron Guidry arrived at the Day Camp my parents sent me to each summer. I didn't like Goose. I was a Sparky fan. He and Lightning showed up to sign some balls and screw around with the kids.

A few of us were pre-selected to play catch with them. I wanted Guidry, I got Goose. He walked up to me and extended his hand. I snarled and said, "You ain't no Sparky!"

I threw pretty hard for a 15 year-old, and I wanted to send the Goose a message. For five minutes I fired strike after strike into his glove--smiling with each toss. Yup, I thought, I'm letting #54 know that I hate his guts.

Moments later, the head of Camp Activities suggested the two throw alittle BP to some of us. Without hesitation, Goose pointed to me and said, "I'll pitch to him."

As I dug in, I thought I'm gonna rip a liner off his forehead and laugh about it.
The first pitch came in fairly quick ... I swung, and to my utter amazement, it shot threw the box like a bb and nearly hit Goose. Guidry laughed. I did too. Goose didn't.

The next pitch stuck me right in the freakin' ribs. It hurt so bad I wanted to cry, but I couldn't. I wanted to breathe, but I couldn't...

The next thing I know Goose is standing over me--his hand extended to help me up. Smiling he said,
"No, I'm no Sparky, cause when Goose hits ya' it hurts!"

At that moment, I became a Goose fan. He belongs in the Hall ... 'nuff said.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Jan 8, 2008 3:29 PM EST reply actions

did you go

to camp in upstate NY? I was a camp counselor at a camp...something Trails...and they had a baseball component and the Yankees used to come up.

"The secret of managing is to keep the guys who hate you away from the guys who are undecided." -Casey Stengel

by bxgrl1 on Jan 8, 2008 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

No

I went to Knights Day Camp in Upper Saddle River, NJ. We used to get a lot of Giant, Jet and Yankee players coming up. It was great.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Jan 8, 2008 3:36 PM EST up reply actions

great story ronster

this is a great day for goose. nice to have a yankee in the headlines for the right reason.

You don't realize how easy this game is until you get up in that broadcasting booth. -Mickey Mantle

by NumberSeven on Jan 8, 2008 5:45 PM EST up reply actions

yeeeeeeeeessssssssssssss

He played seven seasons for the Yankees and only four for the Padres. I think he played five for the White Sox. I'm pretty sure he's going in as a Yankee.

I love seeing him on Old Timer's Day and hearing the crowd go "Goooooooooooooooose."

LOVE THE MAN.

"The secret of managing is to keep the guys who hate you away from the guys who are undecided." -Casey Stengel

by bxgrl1 on Jan 8, 2008 3:33 PM EST reply actions

I was fortunate enough to see him pitch

though I was like 4 and barely remember it. But I do remember him closing the game out and jumping up and down on my chair chanting "Goose!"

by docgonzo on Jan 8, 2008 5:47 PM EST reply actions

Saw him ...

blow a save at the stadium early on, and I recall the fans just booed the heck out of him. One guy, became so incensed, he slammed his program down, cursed George for signing "the bum!" and pleaded for Sparky.

I'm guessing a month later this same guy was wearing a #54 jersey.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Jan 9, 2008 10:23 AM EST up reply actions