MLB Hall of Fame: Goose Gossage to Cooperstown
Posted by Alan Hull on January 9, 2008
The Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) has elected to enshrine Rich “Goose” Gossage (1972-1994) into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He was the BBWAA’s lone selection in 2008. In 1809.1 IP, Gossage dominated to the tune of a 3.01 ERA, 1497 hits, 1502/732 K/BB. He was a relief pitcher of the “fireman” mold, pitching multiple, high leverage innings as a relief ace. He finished his career with 310 saves.
Attempting to compare Gossage with relief pitchers from the modern era is difficult and somewhat meaningless. He pitched in an era where relief usage patterns were still fairly limited and Dennis Eckersley had yet to invent the 9th inning closer. He is better compared to a Bruce Sutter (1978-1988) or a Rollie Fingers (1968-1985), both Hall of Famers and he pitched as well as both.
Jim Rice (1974-1989) was closest to enshrinement of those left out at 72.2 % (75% needed). Andre Dawson (1976-1996) fell short at 65.9 %. I was sorry to see Bert Blyleven (1970-1992) still fell short at 61.9 %. He’s moving up and the writers are coming around. I never thought being 13 victories shy of 300 would mean so much for one of the great pitchers of all time. I think 13th all-time IP, 5th all-time strikeouts, 9th all-time shut-outs would be enough. Still, they’re coming around.
Tim Raines fell short at 24.3 % in his first year of eligibility. It will take him a while. Mark McGwire fell short at 23.6 %. This whole steroids elephant is going to have to work itself out a bit more before McGwire will be allowed in. It’s random and arbitrary but he was the first great who was fingered. He has the rookie record for homers at 49 (!!). He is a Hall of Famer but it may be that steroids are a part of the picture. I like Alan Trammel as a Hall of Famer but he’s a ways off a 18.2 %.
It will be interesting to see how the steroid suspects get received, as well as modern closers such as Trevor Hoffman and Mariano River–who I see as the only sure things of the modern closers, but others are comparable. Does a Billy Wagner or get in? It’s hard to say beyond those mentioned.
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Links
- Larry Brown breaks down Roger Clemens on 60 Minutes.
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- Blez from Athletics Nation interviews John Sickels of Minor League Ball on Oakland Athletics rebuilding and their new minor league prospects. Great interview.
