'Goose' Gossage elected to Hall of Fame

NEW YORK, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Rich "Goose" Gossage, an imposing figure during more than 22 years as a major league relief pitcher, has been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Gossage, who played for nine teams in his career from 1972-94, was the only former player selected by 543 veteran Baseball Writers' of Association of America members. A nominee needed to be name on 75 percent of returned ballots to win induction. Gossage was named on 86 percent of the ballots.

Gossage was a nine-time All-Star and perhaps best known for his time with the New York Yankees. The right-handed reliever finished his career with 310 saves and had a 124-107 record and 3.01 earned run average

In addition to the Yankees, Gossage pitched for the Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco, Texas, Oakland and Seattle.

He is to be part of Hall of Fame induction ceremonies July 27 in Cooperstown, N.Y. Also to be inducted that day are World Series-winning managers Billy Southworth and Dick Williams, along with former Commissioner Bowie Kuhn and owners Walter O'Malley and Barney Dreyfuss, all of whom were elected last month by the Veterans Committee.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jim Rice was listed on 72.2 percent of the ballots -- 14 votes short of winning induction. Next year would be Rice's 154th and final year on the Hall of Fame ballot.