Goose Gets Nod for Cooperstown

Gossage flies solo as Rice, Dawson wait by the phone
By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 8, 2008 2:45 PM CST
Goose Gets Nod for Cooperstown
Former New York Yankees pitcher Goose Gossage, right, waves to the crowd during player introductions before the Old Timer's game Saturday, July 7, 2007 at Yankee Stadium in New York. Paul O'Neill, left, looked on. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)   (Associated Press)

Legendary closer Goose Gossage will enter the Baseball Hall of Fame this year by himself, the Hall announced today, making the grade after nine previous appearances on the ballot. The impressively mustachioed Gossage, who toiled for the Yankees, Padres, and seven other franchises, is only the fifth relief pitcher to be voted into Cooperstown. He said getting the news felt "like an anvil just fell on my head."

Red Sox slugger Jim Rice was passed over for a 14th time, falling short by just 14 votes, and will get his last chance next year. Andre Dawson, another ex-Red Sox but better known as a Cub, missed by 50 votes. Gossage will enter with four Veterans Committee electees, including his San Diego manager. "There isn't anybody I'd rather go in with than Dick Williams," he said. (More Goose Gossage stories.)

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