New York Yankees: Goose Gossage talking his way out of future with the team

New York Yankees legend Goose Gossage talking himself out of being around the team for good.

Goose Gossage was a legend for the New York Yankees. Many of our young readers know him from Old Timer’s Day, but let’s just say he is far more than just a former Yankee. He is one of the best to ever don the pinstripes. He was posting 20+ and 30+ save seasons before anyone had ever heard of a pitcher like Mariano Rivera. And kids, he would go more than one inning to accumulate those saves.

Let’s just say that he was one of, if not the best, at a role that didn’t really have a formal name yet. In the 1970s and 1980s, nobody really talked about a closer. We just had relievers that pitched at the end of the game. Many think that comparatively speaking, today’s pitchers are coddled. I believe that, but then again I am not a former pitcher for the most storied organization in baseball history.

If he is so great, why did this happen:

Hall of Famer Goose Gossage won't be a guest instructor for Yankees this spring. In recent springs, he's drawn the ire of Yankees w/ caustic remarks about one-inning closers like Mariano Rivera, analytics/baseball nerds, bat flips, etc.
— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) February 12, 2018

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The problem is that Gossage has a problem keeping his mouth shut. When he can’t do that he gets into trouble. Trouble even with a place that once cheered his every move.

Last February, Gossage, in an expletive laden rant told the world that he takes offense being compared to Rivera (via NJ.com):

"“I told him. Yeah, we did it on (the) Michael Kay (TV show). Don’t compare me to Mo or what they do today. They’re one-inning guys. I take exception to that. Don’t even (bleeping) put me … closer wasn’t even a coined phrase.”"

In his defense it wasn’t all expletives. The point being made was that Gossage doesn’t like the specialization of relief pitching in today’s game. Guys in his day would pitch two or three innings all the time. There weren’t designated times that a pitcher must come in the game, it depended upon the situation.

He believes that the pitchers of today are babied. He’s probably right. But taking a swing at one of the four most beloved players in the team’s history over the last 20 years is not the way to stay in the good graces of the franchise.

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Now being excluded from camp, Gossage set his sights on general manager Brian Cashman (via the NY Daily News):

"“He would’ve been gone 10 years ago if George was still around,” Gossage said of Cashman. “He’d have been gone when he jumped out of that [expletive] airplane. Do you think he’s a good [expletive] baseball guy, really? He doesn’t believe in [expletive] coaching.”"

Not knowing Cashman personally it’s hard to evaluate Gossage’s statement. He could be telling the truth about him not being a good baseball man. With the players he himself has brought in it would be hard to believe, but it’s possible. But you don’t make these comments if you want to work with the franchise in the future. If Gossage doesn’t stop, they may forget him entirely.

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