Rich Gossage was a dominant pitcher when he took the mound, there is no question. But was he dominant among his peers?? Was he good enough for Hall of Fame induction?? Personally, I think he has the credentials but I’m not a sportswriter with a vote. I will leave the discussion and debate to the never-ending hot stove league and our Diamond Angle readers. But membership in SITT? No question!! Let’s look at him by the numbers:

• Pitched 22 years (’72 -’94)
• Three WS appearances (’78, ’81, ’84)
• Nine All Star teams
• Twice in the top 10 in MVP voting
• Third in Cy Young voting in 1980; in the top 10 four other times
• Holds NL single season record for strike outs by a relief pitcher (151 in ’77)
• League leader in saves 3 times
• Eighth in career saves all time (310)
• Sixth all time in games pitched (1002)
• Sporting News Fireman of the year (’75, ’78)
• Career record of 124-107
• Logged 1500 strike outs in 1800 innings
• Better than a 2 to 1 ratio of strike outs to walks
• Lifetime ERA of 3.01

Goose compares favorably with two other ‘pseuedo contemporaries’ — Jeff Reardon (’79 — ’94) and Bruce Sutter (’76 — ’88). I say ‘pseudo’ because neither covered the same 22 years that Goose did. While the two of them may have a better chance at HOF selection (with Reardon perhaps having the edge because of 367 saves compared to Sutter’s 300 saves), Goose can hold his own with Reardon in that all important total points (total team wins) category:

Reardon: 367 saves plus 73 wins = 440 points

Gossage: 310 saves plus 124 wins = 434 points

Who else do you compare to him during his tenure: Al Hrabosky, Tug McGraw, Dan Quisenberry, Willie Hernendez, Rawley Eastwick, Dave Righetti, Kent Tukulve???

I don’t think so!! None had the sustained performance Goose did over the '70s, '80s and part of the '90s.

Come on! The guy was big and his moustache was bigger! He was a mad Hungairan before Hrabosky knew what that meant!

And let's not forget he was the closer on those '78 World Series, '80 AL East and '81 AL pennant championship Yankee teams.

In closing, Goose has the stats and longevity to warrant serious HOF consideration. I met him at a buddy’s hobby shop this summer and he is a true gentleman. When asked about whether he felt stress when he thought about his chances for induction into Cooperstown, his response was that stress is facing George Brett with the game on the line.

I think Goose is satisfied to let his career performance speak for itself; and I think it shouts loud and clear.