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New Hall of Famer Gosse Gossage was once a Texas Ranger
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Goose Gossage spent a year with the Rangers
Though he is best remembered for his years with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres, Hall of Fame inductee Goose Gossage played for nine different teams.
Texas was one of those teams in 1991.
In fact, Gossage, who was officially inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, made up what had to be one of the most fearsome starter-closer tandems of the time. Gossage and fellow Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan were a part of the same pitching staff in 1991. I didn't follow the Rangers in '91 (I was 5 years old), but I imagine it was comparable to Roger Clemens and Mariano Rivera with the Yankees.
Though it was the only season the nine-time All-Star was a Ranger, 1991 provided a memorable moment for one of the most feared and recognizable closers of the 20th century.
On July 25, 1991, Gossage recorded his 308th save. Not noteworthy on its own. But that save 17 years ago preserved Ryan's 308th win. Still not very noteworthy, but a statistical oddity is always worth mentioning in baseball. It was also his first save in nearly two years and the third-to-last of his career.
"It was nice to see Goose come in and get that save," said the 44-year-old Ryan, currently in his 24th season. Gossage hadn't had a save since Aug. 21, 1989, when he pitched for the Yankees against Boston.
Gossage left after the '91 season and went to Oakland Athletics. But he wasn't through with the Rangers just yet. The man with one of the most recognizable mustaches in sports ended his career against the Rangers, recording his 310th save.
Congratulations, Goose. Texas fans everywhere are proud to call you an ex-Ranger.
