Myth of Goose Gossage "Durability"

Gossage's alleged "durability" vanished (over the fence) in key post season and all star opportunities--when it mattered most.

• Links:

• 1. 1/08--Gossage say today's pitchers have it tougher than he did.

• 2. 1975 All Star game. Yes, he came in a tie game with 2 runners on, but he failed to get out of it. 3 runs scored during his 9th inning appearance, and the NL won with that 3 run lead. Gossage didn't figure in the decision. 7/15/75

• 3. 1977 All Star game. He came in for 1IP with a 4 run lead, 7-3, NL over AL. He gave up a 2 run homerun, final score 7-5, NL over AL. He didn't figure in the decision. 7/19/77

• 4. 1978 All Star game, Losing pitcher was Gossage. Yes, he came into a tie game, but with bases empty. He gave up 4 ER, leaving score 7-3 NL over AL. 7/11/78

• 5. He did figure positively in one All Star game decision with a save, 7/10/84, NL over AL. Score was 3-1 when he entered top 9th, and that was the final score. In 3 of the years he was an All Star he did not pitch, 1976, 1981, and 1982. In other years not listed above, his appearances weren't in high stakes situations.
  

• 2. 1/08--My virtual letter to Billy Wagner as he goes to the big dinner.

• 3. 1/08--Joe Castiglione takes Gossage to School.

• 4. 1/08--Mariano Rivera most Hall of Fame eligible reliever of all time--Dr. Michael Hoban, PhD.

• 5. 1/08--Gossage Hides Behind Tim Kurkjian's Skirts (Mo's had 2 "Saves" in 1 day 5 times--has Gossage?

• 6. 1/08--Gossage flunks test with assist by Warner Wolf on Imus

• 7. 1/08--Jayson Stark has another hissy fit about Rivera

• 8. 1/08--NY Times deletes Rivera's entire 2001 post season

• 9. 1/08--MLB.com doesn't include post season stats in Gossage caption

• 10. 10/07--Goose Gossage gives up 2 HR in deciding game of 1984 World Series

• 11. 10/07--ESPN pulls out their biggest weapon--Goose Gossage

• 12. 10/07--Hoffman's Legacy--A Loser (SF Chronicle)

• 13. 10/07--MLB Advanced Media advances their view via bully pulpit (first part reviews Joe Castiglione bit)

• 14. 10/07--Verducci--Trevor Hoffman going to Hall!!!

• 15. 10/25/01--CNN/SI.com, "Rivera Like Closers of Old" (durability) and here

• 16. 1/6/07--XM's Joe Castellano carries clipping around for a year and invites Gossage to slam Rivera, on-air interview with him.

• 17. Gossage's alleged durability is a myth when compared to Mariano Rivera's. Gossage must've worn himself out in the regular season, because he lacked the "durability" or "mentality" of the best closer--who has done it in 13 consecutive post seasons along with a number of all stars. Gossage had more flops than durabilty in post season and all star--when it mattered most. Also, in Rivera's 76 post season games, he averages 1.54 IP/appearance. If that's the same as only 1 inning, how come everyone doesn't do it?

Gossage speaks of how mind-blowing it was being a Yankee. Perhaps in part that explains his incessant, low-class campaign against the great Rivera. But doesn't excuse it--no matter how painful it is for him.