Wednesday, February 20, 2008

#170 Rich Gossage



Why this card is awesome: Because this is the first "adult" card I've noticed so far in the 1988 Topps set, with Gossage appearing to have a "third leg" thanks to that Cubs baserunner in the background. Let's blame this one on Manny Trillo.

Cool stat: So much has been written about Gossage's career with his recent HOF election. So I'll just point out that his most career PAs came against who? Fellow HOFer Robin Yount.

Hall of Fame count: 19

7 comments:

Steve Gierman said...

I find it interesting that Tommy McCraw has the best 1.000 batting average against Goose. 3 for 3.

It's the little things that intrigue me.

Uglee Card said...

That Manny Trillo, he's a real pervert. But funny.

Uglee Card said...

Furthermore, this is 11th straight mustachioed player in the set. (Admittedly, McLemore just barely squeaks by, but Bryn Smith has him covered.)
Can the streak continue?

MMayes said...

Tom McCraw's counterpart? The other side of the coin is Rickey Henderson: 9 at bats, 9 strikeouts with a couple of walks thrown in.

Bo said...

I don't think it's a baserunner - there is only one leg on the ground - I think it is a pitcher warming up in a foul-territory bullpen; with his kick leg obscured by Gossage.

MMayes said...

I see another foot just above the "H" in "Rich" and it clearly looks like the runner is on the infield cutout with the foul territory grass behind him. However, based on how the runner is looking around, it would appear these are warm-up tosses. Based on his facial expression, Rich was putting a lot into it, but he was a max effort pitcher.

On the Manny Trillo front, I don't think we can blame it on Manny, and I don't know if SD was wearing regular uniform tops in spring training. In 1987 Manny only played in one game in which Rich pitched, 7/8/87 when he grounded out to end the 8th. He was never on base when Rich pitched.

Bo said...

Hey mmayes - you're right - had the card for twenty years and never noticed the other foot!