Goose Gossage

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Gossage was one of the earliest manifestations of the modern closer, with a bold mustache and a gruff demeanor to go along with his overpowering 100 mph fastball. He led the American League (AL) in saves three times and was runner-up twice; by the end of the 1987 season he ranked second in major-league career saves, trailing only Rollie Fingers, although by the end of his career his total of 310 had slipped to fourth all time. When he retired he also ranked third in major-league career games pitched (1,002), and he remains third in wins in relief (115) and innings pitched in relief (1,5562⁄3); his 1,502 strikeouts place him behind only Hoyt Wilhelm among pitchers who pitched primarily in relief. He also is the career leader in blown saves (112). From 1977 through 1983 he never recorded an earned run average over 2.62, including a mark of 0.77 in 1981, and in 1980 he finished third in AL voting for both the MVP Award and Cy Young Award as the Yankees won a division title. Respected for his impact in crucial games, Gossage recorded the final out to clinch a division, league, or World Series title seven times. His eight All-Star selections as a reliever were a record until Mariano Rivera passed him in 2008; he was also selected once as a starting pitcher. In 2008, Gossage was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame; he holds the record with Satchel Paige and Hoyt Wilhelm for the most franchises played for (9) by a Hall-of-Fame pitcher. Gossage now works in broadcasting.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Fenway Park was electric on October 2, 1978. The Yankees and Red Sox were tied for the AL East title, forcing a one-game playoff. With the Yankees leading 4–2 in the seventh inning, manager Bob Lemon called for Goose Gossage. He entered with one out and a runner on base. Gossage got through the seventh, then allowed two runs in the eighth, tying the game. But the Yankees scored in the top of the ninth to take a 5–4 lead. Gossage returned for the bottom of the ninth. He got two quick outs, then walked a batter and gave up a single. With two out and two men on, Carl Yastrzemski stepped to the plate. Gossage fired his fastball. Yastrzemski popped up to third baseman Graig Nettles. The game was over. The Yankees had won the division. Gossage had the save.

Reader's Guide

On October 2, 1978, he earned the save in the Yankees' one-game playoff against the Boston Red Sox for the AL East title, entering with one out in the seventh inning and a 4–2 lead following Bucky Dent's home run; although he allowed two runs in the eighth inning, he held on to preserve the 5–4 victory, getting Carl Yastrzemski to pop up to third baseman Graig Nettles with two out and two men on base in the ninth inning to clinch the division championship. He was also on the mound five days later when the Yankees clinched the pennant in the ALCS against the Kansas City Royals, entering Game 4 in the ninth inning with a 2–1 lead and a runner on second base; he earned the save by striking out Clint Hurdle and retiring Darrell Porter and Pete LaCock on fly balls. He was on the mound ten days later when they captured the World Series title against the Los Angeles Dodgers for their second consecutive championship, coming on with no one out in the eighth inning of Game 6; he retired Ron Cey on a popup to catcher Thurman Munson to clinch the win.

Did You Know?

• Gossage led the AL in saves in 1978 (27) and 1980 (33).
• He holds the Yankees' career record for ERA (2.14) and hits per nine innings (6.59) among pitchers with at least 500 innings for the team.
• Gossage became the second pitcher to record 300 career saves, doing so on August 6, 1988, with the Cubs.