Career
Gossage was drafted into the 'Chicago White Sox' during the 1970 ‘MLB' draft. He recorded the highest number of 'American League' (AL) saves (26) in 1975.
After the 1976 season, he joined the 'Pittsburgh Pirates' as a free agent. He was then drafted by the 'New York Yankees.'
In 1978 and 1980, Gossage recovered the highest number of saves, 27 and 33, respectively. On September 3, 1978, he delivered one of the most notable performances against the 'Seattle Mariners.'
Unfortunately, he had to miss a few games with the 'Yankees' in the 1979 season, due to a thumb injury that he had sustained during a locker-room fight with teammate Cliff Johnson. Following this, 'Cy Young Award'-winner Ron Guidry voluntarily replaced him.
On October 4, 1980, Gossage earned his career's highest save, pitching the last 2 innings, defeating the 'Detroit Tigers' (with a score of 5–2 in the first game of a doubleheader). It was his 33rd save and secured the division title for the 'Yankees.'
That year, unfortunately, the 'Yankees' were defeated by the 'Kansas City Royals' after George Brett led the team to a hattrick in the 'AL Championship Series' (by hitting a 3-run homer off Gossage into the 'Yankee Stadium’). From 1976 to 1978, the 'Yankees' had defeated the 'Royals' in three consecutive ‘ALCS.’
The two players faced each other once again after almost 3 years, during the regular season. On July 24, 1983, Brett again hit off Gossage at the 'Yankee Stadium.' The game is now remembered as the "Pine Tar Game."
However, Gossage had recorded saves in all the three victorious matches of the 1981 'AL Division Series,' against the 'Milwaukee Brewers.'
In his final season with the 'Yankees' in 1983, Gossage recorded his career-high score in saves, breaking Sparky Lyle's club record of 141 saves. Later, Dave Righetti broke the record with 150 saves (in 1988).
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Gossage ended his 500-inning-long association with the 'Yankees,' scoring an ERA of 2.14 and a record hits per 9 innings (6.59) among pitchers.
He and the owner of the 'Yankees,' George Steinbrenner, never got along because of the latter's interfering attitude. In 1982, Gossage called him "the fat man upstairs." He also displayed his disappointment with the team's manager, Billy Martin, for not utilizing his skills to the fullest.
During the late 1970s and the early 1980s, while playing for the 'Yankees,' Gossage established the setup or closer configuration, which was applied until the 2010s. Ron Davis and Gossage were considered one the best pairings in ‘MLB’ at that point. The pair had recorded 77 victories off 79 games
Gossage did not resign from the 'Yankees' and continued as a free agent after the 1983 season.
He later, however, was traded to the 'San Diego Padres,' and in 1984, he secured the team's first 'World Series' win in the 'NL Championship Series.'
On August 17, 1986, Gossage eliminated Pete Rose in Rose's final major-league game as a batsman.
Before the 1988 season ended, Gossage and teammate Ray Hayward replaced Keith Moreland and Mike Brumley of the 'Chicago Cubs.' On August 6, 1988, Gossage's number of saves crossed 300. He thus became the second pitcher with the record score.
After the 'Cubs' released him in March 1989, he signed with the 'San Francisco Giants' the following month. In August, the 'Yankees' selected him back, but on “waivers.”
Gossage joined the 'Texas Rangers' in 1991, and on July 23, he recorded his 308th career save. He then signed year-long contracts with the 'Oakland Athletics' for the 1992 and the 1993 seasons.
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In 1994, Gossage signed with the 'Seattle Mariners,' and on August 4, he became the third pitcher in the history of ‘MLB’ to have played 1,000 games.
On August 8 that year, he made his last ‘MLB’ appearance, recording a save of three innings and a 14–4 win over the 'Texas Rangers.'
By the end of his career, Gossage had recorded 112 blown saves, a record that 'ESPN.com' termed as "non-qualitative," citing him as a 'Baseball Hall of Fame' inductee.
In his career, he has pitched as a reliever in over 130 innings in three different seasons (and in three 'World Series'), pitched in 1,002 games, finished 681 of them, and recorded 310 saves. He has also appeared in nine 'All-Star’ tournaments.
Gossage was one of the best fastball pitchers of his time and was known for his pinpoint accuracy. He would sometimes pitch the slurve or the changeup.
He was known for throwing intentionally at three hitters, Ron Gant, Andrés Galarraga, and Al Bumbry. He is also known as a ''no-nonsense, no-frills pitcher," who never wasted time on the mound.
In the early 1990s, when Gossage was in his 40s, he continued to serve as a capable and intimidating setup man.
He was inducted into the 'Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame' in 2000, 'San Diego's Hall of Champions' (2006), the 'Colorado High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame' (2006), and the 'National Baseball Hall of Fame' (2008).
His autobiography, 'The Goose is Loose' ('Ballantine': New York), was released in 2000.
On July 12, 2010, Gossage coached the 'American League' team in the 'Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game’ in Anaheim, California.
On June 22, 2014, the 'Yankees' honored him with a plaque in the 'Monument Park.'
