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Goose Gossage, Unplugged

Jason Keidel Written by Jason Keidel, Sunday March 07 2010
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The Hall of Fame gives you a high pulpit. And the 6-foot-3, 200-pound reliever, Rich "Goose" Gossage, stands tall on his. 

 

Gossage mused over several subjects during a Q&A with The New York TImes while working as a special instructor for the Yankees in Florida.

 

Extending the volcanic debate over the Joba/Hughes tango in and out of the bullpen, Gossage was clear. "I think [Phil] Hughes is a starter for sure. He can go deep into games. He's a power pitcher and he also knows how to pitch, with a nice curveball. Personally, I think Joba is a relief pitcher. He's got that makeup, that aggressiveness...I think that he would be a great relief pitcher."

 

The 9-time All-Star, part of the "Bronx Zoo" Yankees of the late-1970's, is a hard-liner when asked about contemporary players, bristling at choreographed handshakes and dances. Gossage is the embodiment of the clear, cultural chasm between "then and now."

 

"K-Rod is a clown," Gossage said when asked about the theatrics of Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez. "I don't think there is any place for it in the game. You respect that other team."

 

Billy Martin? "I was never that impressed with Billy as a manager. I would not vote for him [into the Hall of Fame] if I had a vote. We didn't get along."

 

Should Mark McGwire be in the Hall of Fame? "No. And I mean no. None of the steroid users should get in."

 

Is Mariano Rivera the best closer in history? "I think that he is a tremendous relief pitcher. He's the best, current-day, modern reliever. When I was inducted into the Hall of Fame, I was told that I had 53 saves with seven-plus outs. I was told that Mariano had one and Trevor Hoffman had two. So I think that says it in a nutshell."

 

Gossage pitched at the dawn of the save, the closer-as-specialist. His myopic thoughts on Rivera may indicate a sad reticence to admit that someone was actually better than he was. 

 


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