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Jim Gosger's Brush with a Hall of Famer

Baseball Interactions — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 19:52:00 +0000

Correspondence date: Nov. 2011

In 705 Major League games over 10 years, Jim Gosger hit 30 career home runs and compiled 177 RBIs. He had several games in which he made his offensive skills apparent. Twice in 1970, he collected 4 hits in a game while playing for the Montreal Expos. In one of these games- versus the Atlanta Braves on June 18, 1970- he would also hit 2 homers and help lead the Expos to victory. On 3 different occasions during the 1960s, and with 3 different teams, Mr. Gosger would collect 2 doubles in a single game. Additionally, on August 6, 1967, Mr. Gosger would triple twice against the New York Yankees while a member of the Kansas City Athletics.

As great as these moments were, however, perhaps the most memorable hit of Mr. Gosger’s career came on October 3, 1965 against the New York Yankees. Facing Hall of Fame southpaw Whitey Ford, Mr. Gosger led off the second inning with a solo homer, giving his Red Sox a 2-1 lead and, as a result, eliciting excitement throughout the Fenway Park crowd. Although the Red Sox would go on to lose the game 11-5, Mr. Gosger achieved something that is deserving of praise- hitting a homer off a respected Hall of Fame pitcher.

I was curious to know how it felt for Mr. Gosger to go yard against Ford.

“Probably one of my greatest thrills in my 13 years of professional baseball.”

It seems as though the gratification of hitting a homer off a Hall of Famer isn’t lost on Mr. Gosger. As it turns out, Ford only allowed a modest 228 home runs during his career, putting Mr. Gosger in select company. Despite not having a reputation as a power hitter, Mr. Gosger can look back with pride on the time he hit a homer against the pitcher with the highest career winning percentage in modern baseball history.

Mr. Gosger closed his letter with the following:

“Thanks for asking Juan.

Best wishes

Jim”

On deck: Former Brooklyn Dodger and Pittsburgh Pirate Eddie Basinski tells me how it felt to hit his first Major League homer.

Seattle Pilots: A Directionless Team, According to Jim Gosger

Baseball Interactions — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 18:22:00 +0000

Correspondence date: Nov. 2011

I have a bit of a fascination with the Seattle Pilots, the one-season wonder of the Pacific Northwest who came into existence in time for the 1969 season and, by 1970, had already moved to a different city (Milwaukee). As a result, I often take every opportunity I can to gain insights from former Pilots on their time with the team (check out my feature on Bob Meyer, and stay tuned as I prepare to post several other responses from Pilots players over the next few weeks).

Former infielder/outfield Jim Gosger was one of the chosen ones called upon to take the field for the Pilots. Taken by the team as the 55th pick in the 1968 expansion draft, Mr. Gosger had spent the previous 3 seasons with the Kansas City/Oakland A’s, a team struggling so badly that relocation would be inevitable. As a result, Mr. Gosger was already familiar with being on a team mired in disarray and uncertainty.

Finding himself on a hapless expansion team that would finish last in the American League West with a 64-98 record, Mr. Gosger would play 39 games with the Pilots in 1969 until being traded to the New York Mets on July 19 of that year. In perhaps one of the most extreme baseball “rags-to-riches” cases, Mr. Gosger quickly went from being on a bad expansion team to being part of the eventual 1969 World Champions.

I asked Mr. Gosger what it was like to play for the expansion Pilots.

“The only team I played with that had no direction- we had 25 individuals that just went through the motions.”

Mr. Gosger didn’t mince words with his response. While it seems that a number of players either enjoyed their time with the Pilots, or were fortunate enough to continue their careers with the team, Mr. Gosger pointed out the club’s obvious disadvantage of having 25 players coming from different backgrounds to try to work cohesively. While it’s no secret that expansion teams are never competitive during their first years, most at least have some sense of competition. Judging by Mr. Gosger, response, however, this may not have applied to the Pilots.

Mr. Gosger’s claim that the Pilots had no direction is further substantiated by the fact that, immediately after moving to Milwaukee and becoming the Brewers, the club would experience a horrid 1970 season, winning exactly one more game than it did the previous year. Additionally, the franchise would not have its first winning season until 1978, when it was finally able to take advantage of having a packed roster that featured young superstars Robin Yount and Paul Molitor.

On deck: Mr. Gosger tells me how it felt to hit a homer off Hall of Famer Whitey Ford in 1965.

Former Athletic Jim Gosger, on His Team's Move to Oakland

Baseball Interactions — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 04:33:00 +0000

Correspondence date: Nov. 2011

Jim Gosger was an outfielder/first baseman who, despite having limited power at the plate, possessed a strong throwing arm and was an excellent contact hitter. During a career that spanned 10 seasons, Mr. Gosger was a member of 5 different franchises (Boston Red Sox, Kansas City/Oakland Athletics, Seattle Pilots, New York Mets, and Montreal Expos). His most productive season would come while with Kansas City in 1967, during which he posted career highs in games (134), homers (7), and hits (86).

After the 1967 season, Mr. Gosger’s A’s would depart the Midwest for Oakland, the franchise’s third stop in its history. It had been no secret that team owner Charlie Finley had been looking to move the club, fielding relocation inquiries from various cities since the early 1960s. Despite Kansas City’s rich history as a baseball city, the A’s did poorly in its 13 seasons in Missouri, posting an 829-1,224 win-loss record. As a result of its lackluster performance, the team had difficulty filling Municipal Stadium with fans.

I asked Mr. Gosger what the general reaction was like among his teammates when the A’s move west was announced.

“Most were upset. Kansas City was a great baseball town.”

Aside from hosting the A’s in the 1950s and 1960s, and being the home of the Royals since 1969, Kansas City is steeped in baseball tradition. The Kansas City Monarchs, the famed Negro League team that boasted such stars as Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige and Ernie Banks, was founded in the city in 1920. The city’s important role in Negro League history resulted in it being the headquarters for the Negro League Baseball Museum. Additionally, the Western League, which was the 19th century precursor to the American League, featured a team in Kansas City.

With such rich baseball history, it’s easy to justify Kansas City as a great baseball town, as Mr. Gosger indicated. Although the team’s move to Oakland may have initially been unpopular with the players, however, the A’s quickly established themselves as a baseball powerhouse in its new home, winning 3 World Series in a row during the 1970s and producing a long line of superstars over the next 4 decades.

On deck: Mr. Gosger tells me what it was like to play for the expansion Seattle Pilots in 1969.

Chris Potter Sports Announces New Signings

Paul — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:00:03 +0000

signed 1962 Topps Jay Hook card from my collection

Chris Potter Sports announced a new round of private signings, including a number of former Mets. Items are due by Aug. 15 and will be shipped back by Oct. 10.

Ralph Kiner, Rusty Staub, Mike Torrez, Mickey Lolich, Dean Chance, Bret Saberhagen, Kevin Collins, Jim Gosger, Frank Tanana, John Franco, Jay Hook and Joe Christopher are among the names that might be of interest to Mets fans. Prices range from $8-$50, depending on the player and the item to be signed.

I know I need Chance for my Mets all-time roster project, but I have to figure out if I need any of the others for side projects.

November 6 - Happy Birthday Jim Gosger

mlblogsbeantownbirthdays — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 20:55:42 +0000

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Jim made his big league debut as a 20-year-old
outfielder with Boston, in 1963. He got into 81 games the following season and
hit .256. In June of tthe following year, Boston traded this left-handed hitter to
the A’s for reliever John Wyatt. Gosger played in the Bigs for ten seasons. He was born in Port Huron, MI, in 1942. Other former Red Sox born in the state of Michigan included; Bill Campbell, Bernie Carbo, Rick Miller, Dick Radatz and Rick Wise.

‘Same Card, Different Paths’ – Card #27

30-Year Old Cardboard — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:00:56 +0000

‘Same Card, Different Paths’ – Card #27

1963 Topps - Card #553 – AKA – ‘The Willie Stargell Rookie Card’

Brock Davis – Davis’ career lasted just 6 seasons. In that time, he had some fair success but was never able to solidify a starting job on either of the 3 teams he played for. A career .260 hitter, Davis’ best year came in 1971 when he was with the Cubs. In 106 games, he hit .256 while collecting 77 hits, scoring 22 runs, and driving in 28.

Jim Gosger - Gosger had a lengthy 10-season career in the major leagues. An outfielder with the ability to play all 3 spots, Gosger was primarily used as a utility guy. In that role he compiled a .226 batting average. His offensive stats include 67 doubles, 30 home runs, 177 RBI, and 197 runs scored.

John Herrnstein - A 5-year veteran, Herrnstein suited up for 3 teams. While primarily playing for the Phillies, he finished his playing days with a .220 average alongside 8 home runs, 34 RBI, and 1 stolen base. His biggest claim to fame is being part of the trade that sent Ferguson Jenkins to the Chicago Cubs in 1966.

Willie Stargell – Stargell was dominant during his playing days. A 7-time All-star with 475 career home runs and 1,540 RBI, Stargell was the ‘go-to’ guy for the Pirates offense. His 21-year career culminated with winning 1 MVP award, 2 World Series championships, and the 1979 World Series MVP award. ‘Pops’ was one-of-a-kind!!!