Hall of Famer Goose Gossage to Appear at Dragons Regular Season Finale
June 12, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
Five weeks before his induction into Baseball's Hall of Fame, former New York Yankee Rich "Goose" Gossage-one of the game's most intimidating relief pitchers over a 22-year career and a member of the Yankees' 1978 World Championship team-will be honored by the New York Dragons of the Arena Football League prior to their final regular-season game of the 2008 season on Sunday, June 22nd, vs. Jon Bon Jovi's Philadelphia Soul at Nassau Coliseum.
Gossage, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, on Sunday, July 27th, will be introduced on the field prior to the game and take part in the coin toss.
"The Dragons have great respect and admiration for Goose Gossage and for all of the accomplishments that have rightfully earned him a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame, "said Chris Dey, Dragons' Sr. Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Operations. "The Dragons believe in those same qualities of hard work and gritty determination that are synonymous with Goose Gossage and we are thrilled to honor him on the field at Nassau Coliseum."
Said Gossage: "This will really be fun and exciting for me and I'm looking forward to it. I've thrown out a lot of ceremonial first pitches in my life, but never have I been involved with the coin toss at a professional football game. I thank the Dragons for thinking of me during what has been a truly overwhelming experience."
In January, Gossage was listed on 466 ballots (85.8%) of the Baseball Writers' Association of America to win election to the Hall of Fame in his ninth year on the ballot. His election brings the number of elected members of the Hall to 286. Of that total, 199 are former Major League players. Gossage is the 61st pitcher overall elected to the Hall and only the fifth reliever, joining Hoyt Wilhelm, Rollie Fingers, Dennis Eckersley and Bruce Sutter.
Gossage will be honored in Cooperstown along with one of his former managers, Dick Williams, who was elected by the Veterans Committee. Former owners Walter O'Malley and Barney Dreyfuss, former commissioner Bowie Kuhn and former manager Billy Southworth, all deceased, will also be enshrined at the ceremony
Gossage, 56, compiled a 124-107 record with a 3.01 earned run average and 310 saves in 1,002 games for nine clubs. The hard-throwing righthander led the American League in saves three times, twice won the Sporting News' A. L. "Fireman of the Year" Award and was selected to nine All-Star teams.
The closer on the Yankees' 1978 World Series championship club, Gossage was on the mound for the final outs of that season's one-game playoff vs. the Boston Red Sox to win the A.L. East, Game Four of the American League Championship Series vs. the Kansas City Royals and Game Six of the World Series vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Tickets starting as low as $15 are still available for the Eastern Division grudge match by calling 1-866-AFL-TIXX or visiting www.newyorkdragons.com.
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