COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — It was a refreshing change for Goose Gossage. This time of year he usually found himself disappointed, defending his Hall of Fame candidacy. As an inductee Sunday, he stumped for others to join him, namely controversial Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.
“He’s the greatest owner in sports,” Gossage said. “It was an amazing experience playing for him. He deserves to be here.”
The mere suggestion that Steinbrenner would be honored in Cooperstown appeared laughable in 1990. He was suspended for hiring a private investigator to dig up dirt on Dave Winfield, one of his players. In 1973, he made illegal contributions to Richard Nixon’s presidential campaign.
But the Boss wouldn’t be the first Hall of Famer with flaws. Steinbrenner, who made a rare appearance at the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, has presided over an organization that has reached the playoffs in 13 consecutive seasons. He also created his own TV network and became a favorite among players from all teams for his penchant for paying top dollar for talent.
“Mr. Steinbrenner was demanding. If you weren’t as demanding of yourself as he was of you, then you don’t belong in New York. It’s as simple as that,” Gossage said.
Steinbrenner has ceded day- to-day operations of the Yankees because of failing health.
“Perhaps the biggest highlight since I was elected in January was seeing Mr. Steinbrenner on the field at the All-Star Game,” Gossage said.
Managing emotions.
Dick Williams joined Gossage on the dais, the former manager earning his Hall of Fame election through the veterans committee. Williams was known as a no-nonsense leader. He is credited with helping create Red Sox Nation with the magical 1967 season. He won World Series rings with the Oakland A’s and guided the 1984 San Diego Padres to the Fall Classic.
“I was at a golf tournament and had lunch with Don Shula and Joe DiMaggio. I was wearing my World Series ring. DiMaggio said: ‘I know you are proud of that ring. But this is the ring you should hope to get.’ He showed me his Hall of Fame ring,” Williams said. “I am getting that ring. It’s really hard to believe all this happening.”
Joining the Goose.
Former commissioner Bowie Kuhn, pioneering Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss, longtime manager Billy Southworth and Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley were inducted along with J.G. Taylor Spink and Ford C. Frick award winners Larry Whiteside, a sportswriter, and Mariners announcer Dave Niehaus.
“You know, growing up in Colorado Springs, I had a dream of playing in the big leagues. My dad would always say I would be there someday and I would just say, ‘Oh, Dad, don’t say that.’ Deep down, I just didn’t believe it could happen.”
Goose Gossage, during his acceptance speech
“My wife, Corna, was the perfect baseball wife. She loved to live in different places and didn’t mind the rigors of packing and unpacking. And my sons Jeff, Keith and Todd were the ideal baseball kids. They spent hours in the clubhouse with the players and loved shagging flyballs during batting practice. They went on many road trips, and we just had a ball.” Gossage
“My sister and I went to see Rick pitch his first game for Appleton in Iowa. We were telling people around us that our brother was going to be out there pitching, and he threw the first one nearly over the backstop. It was like, ‘Oops.’ And look how it all turned out.”
Paula Gossage, Goose’s sister
“If you want a new-age closer, it would have to be Mariano Rivera. But if you want somebody to dominate, where guys can’t even put the ball in play against him, I would choose Goose. When he would come into a game, it was over.”
Dennis Eckersley, fellow Hall of Fame closer, pictured
“He was the one guy you hated to see come out of the bullpen late in the game. He was scary. He had all those limbs, elbows, knees and head flying at you. There were times I would make an out against him, and I would say it’s OK because I was still alive.”
Carlton Fisk, Hall of Fame catcher
