It’s difficult to say much more about Rich “Goose” Gossage other than, “He’s a Hall of Famer.”

After eight years of waiting, Gossage received the call in January that he was going to be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.The ceremony took place last month. But for many it wasn’t just Gossage getting inducted, it was an entire community.”Goose is one of the bestknown individuals, in the sporting community, who has ever called Colorado Springs home,” USA Hockey executive director Dave Ogrean said. “One of the great things about Goose is that this isn’t some place that he came and retired to. This is a place that was home to him from the time he was born, from the time he was learning how to throw a baseball, and it’s the place he kept coming back to throughout his playing career when he was garnering all that fame.”He has always been a Colorado Springs guy.”

Gossage was one of baseball’s more menacing pitchers for 22 years. Gossage stopped playing in 1994. He finished with 310 saves – far short of longtime San Diego Padres closer Trevor Hoffman’s 550 saves.However, Gossage pitched in a time when relievers had to do more. Gossage tossed more than two innings 52 times. Hoffman never has done it while New York Yankees reliever Mariano Rivera has done it once.Gossage, a ninth-round pick from Wasson High School, played 1,002 games, recorded 1,502 strikeouts and had a 3.01 ERA.”He’s an icon, a baseball icon,” Sky Sox general manager Tony Ensor said. “What he did for the game of baseball, the character he brought to the game of baseball is something I think is sorely missed with today’s players. He made you want to be a fan of baseball. You rooted for this guy.”He’s a Hall of Famer. We don’t get to tout too many Hall of Famers from our own neighborhoods.”-Contact the Writer: 636-0252 or milo.bryant@gazettedev.gazette.com. Check out previous stories on other influential sports figures from the area at gazettedev.gazette.com/sports