New York Yankees Jersey, worn by Goose Gossage

Object Details

Associated Name

Gossage, Rich “Goose”

New York Yankees

Wilson Sporting Goods Company

Description

Jersey worn by New York Yankees relief pitcher Goose Gossage during the 1983 season.

Right-handed relief pitcher Richard Goose Gossage played Major League baseball for the Chicago White Sox (1972-1976,) Pittsburgh Pirates (1977,) New York Yankees (1978-1983, 1989) San Diego Padres (1984-1987,) Chicago Cubs (1988,) Texas Rangers (1991,) Oakland Athletics (1992-1993,) and Seattle Mariners (1994.) In 1990 the mustachioed closer threw for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball Organization (NPB.)

The fastball specialist helped define the modern baseball’s closer role, being put into a game during the later innings to preserve a lead. A 9-time All-Star, Gossage led the American League in saves three times, finishing his career with 310. He amassed 1,502 strikeouts in the Majors, with a lifetime 3.01 earned run average and 124-107 win-loss record. The Goose would win a world-series in 1978 with the Yankees.

During his singular season in the NPB, Gossage had eight saves and 40 strikeouts.

Gossage was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008 and enshrined in Yankee Stadium’s Monument Park in 2014.

Location

Currently not on view