RINGOLSBY: Gossage should get Hall pass

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published November 30, 2007 at 12:45 a.m.

Text size  

• 1 Comment
• Email
• Print

Photo by Gene J. Puskar / AP

The percentage of votes for Goose Gossage, left, the past four years seems to indicate he will be inducted next year into the Hall of Fame, where he would join Ozzie Smith.

Goose Gossage's schedule already is filling up for January.

Guess the autograph shows and winter banquets understand Gossage's long wait is about to end.

He should earn an easy election to the Hall of Fame when the voting results of veteran members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America are announced in early January.

Gossage came up short in his first eight opportunities for induction, but the stage is set for the wait to end this time around.

Gossage, who was listed on 33.27 percent of the ballots cast in 2000, his first year of eligibility, has made major strides in recent years, gaining support from 71.2 percent of the voters last year, only 21 votes shy of the 409 needed to be enshrined. A player must be listed on 75 percent of the ballots cast, and writers can list up to 10 players on their ballot.

Now, it's Gossage time. There is no potential Hall of Famer among the first-time candidates, in contrast to a year ago, when Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. were elected in their first year of eligibility.

Gossage has made the jump in the past four years from 40.7 percent in 2004 to 55.2 percent in 2005 to 64.6 percent in 2006 to 71.2 percent in the most recent voting.

Only one player has received support on more than 70 percent of the ballots cast and not been elected by the BBWAA. Nellie Fox was one vote short in his 15th and final year of eligibility. He was, however, eventually voted in by the Veterans Committee.

The BBWAA results will be announced Jan. 8.

Overheard

* Mets ownership won't approve more than a five-year contract for a pitcher, which rules out a trade for Johan Santana, who wants a seven-year deal to approve a move from the Twins. The Mets' focus would seem to be Dan Haren or Joe Blanton of Oakland or free agents Livan Hernandez or Carlos Silva.

* St. Louis, seeking to fill its shortstop void, could re-sign David Eckstein but appears more interested right now in talking trade possibilities with Pittsburgh for Jack Wilson and Baltimore for Miguel Tejada. Free agent Cesar Izturis also remains a possibility.

* The White Sox would like to sign center fielder Aaron Rowand, whom they dealt to Philadelphia for Jim Thome, but a deal's on hold because agent Craig Landis wants to touch base with other teams during next week's winter meetings before getting serious.

Readers' turn

Larry Woodard writes, "Seems to me the only people who have been critical of Joe Torre have been writers for other NL West teams. You know it and I know it, the Rockies had no business being in the NLCS let alone that other minor league team in Arizona. The Rockies will never get another sniff at a World Series. Their ownership is not committed to it and it's always been obvious. Why are they never mentioned in any big free-agent signings? It's always second-rate talent that's cheap. I like the Rockies' players, but they caught lightning in a bottle, and that's just not going to happen again. And with Rocky fans running their mouth before the slaughter Boston gave them, it's clear they should stick with the NFL. All season long Coors Field sat empty. The signing of Torre represents a big power swing in the West, and the other NL West teams are feeling it. Not just him managing a team with more young talent than anyone in the West, but he will attract the kind of free agents that should end this debate for a long time. As it should be."

Larry, I'm thinking you might be a Dodgers fan. First, I haven't seen anyone write anything critical of Joe Torre, who is one of the most respected people in the game. Secondly, I don't know the Rockies had no business being in the NLCS. They claimed the NL wild card thanks in part to an 11-game winning streak in which they beat the Dodgers seven times. Does that mean a dynasty? No, but then I can say the Rockies have won more postseason games since 1988 (Rockies 8-7, Dodgers 1-12). And the Rockies have no reason to take a back seat to any franchise in terms of quality young players, not only at the big-league level but also in the minor leagues. Finally, I'm curious what winning has to do with big free-agent signings. Do you mean like Jason Schmidt?

For responses to other questions or to ask questions of your own, check out the Rockies Inbox at RockyMountain News.com/rockies.

Two cents' worth

The Veterans' ballots for executives and managers/umpires will be announced by the Hall of Fame on Monday. Here's hoping Marvin Miller, who created what is today's Major League Baseball Players Association, is finally recognized from among the owners and execs. Doug Harvey seems the logical choice for umpires. Even the players called him God. The managerial vote could become so fragmented with the likes of Whitey Herzog, Davey Johnson, Billy Martin, Gene Mauch, Danny Murtaugh, Billy Southworth and Dick Williams on the ballot that they could all get shut out. Here's hoping Williams gets recognized for the success he had during a well-traveled managerial career that included winning pennants in Boston (1967) and San Diego (1984) and world championships in Oakland (1972 and 1973).

NUMBERS GAME

12of the 19 minor league free agents signed by Washington have major league experience. The Nationals have a chance to make some money off the signings. Any player signed to a minor league contract is eligible for the winter draft during the baseball meetings next week in Nashville, Tenn.

FAR EAST RECRUITING

The Dodgers have joined Seattle in aggressive pursuit of Japanese right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, below. Dodgers closer Takashi Saito joined club officials in meeting with Kuroda earlier this month in Tokyo. Kuroda, who pitched for the Hiroshima Carp, is a nonrestricted free agent.

The Mariners have offered a three-year, $30 million deal. Arizona also has made an offer - three years and $27 million - but Kuroda wants to pitch for a team on the West Coast.

HE SAID IT

"I don't know if we can make a run like the Braves did (14 straight division championships), but we've started."

Jimmy Rollins, National League Most Valuable Player, who a year ago announced the Phillies were the team to beat in the NL East.

MILE HIGH WATCH

* The schedule maker didn't do the Rockies many favors in 2008.

The Rockies will make three trips to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers. They'll fly from Denver to Los Angeles for an April 25-27 series, then go to San Francisco.

In August, they'll make a two-city trip to Washington (Aug. 15-17) and Dodger Stadium (Aug. 18-20). Earlier in the season, the Dodgers are the last stop (June 2-4) on a three-city trip that will start with series against the Philadelphia Phillies (May 26-28) and Chicago Cubs (May 30 to June 1).

Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, who will manage the National League All-Star team next season, and any Rockies players who might participate in the game won't incur travel problems. The Rockies will play the Mets at Shea Stadium the weekend (July 11-13) before the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.

Among Colorado's other strange road matchups is a trip to Pittsburgh (July 28-30) and Florida (July 31 to Aug. 3), a three-game trip to Atlanta (Sept. 9-11) and a three-city trip in April that starts with the usual Arizona (April 11-13) and San Diego combo (April 15-17) but ends with a three-game visit to Houston (April 18-20).

The home schedule has two-game series against Philadelphia (April 21-22) and the Cubs (April 23-24) and four-game visits by Florida (July 3-6) and Washington (Aug. 4-7).

* Former Rockies right-hander Jason Jennings doesn't appear headed for a return to Coors Field, unless it's as a visiting pitcher. He long has had interest in San Diego, and Kansas City is making a strong push. The Astros would like to retain him but aren't optimistic.

• November 30, 2007

  12:35 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  cj1030lee writes:

  Hey Tracy...
  Why aren't the Rox in the Santana sweepstakes? From what I read, Twins are looking for young 3rd base. We have plenty. We can give up 2 of Atkins &/ Stewert &/ Baker &/ Holliday for Santana. Toss in a pitching prospect if we have to. If we don't give up young bats for pitchers, we are gonna end up like Cleveland. We can't just let good bats walk away. These guys like Stewert and Baker isn't getting any younger. Give them playing time or get something in return.

Featured

• Holiday movies

  

  Check out our movie page to read reviews and see your holiday options.

• Holiday Lights

  

  Is your house the jolliest on the block? Submit your holiday lights display.

• Mount Crushmore

  

  Which four Broncos greats should be immortalized on Mount Crushmore? Vote here.

• Broncos-Jets Action

  

  Visit our photo galleries for some hard-hitting action photos from Sunday's game.

• Bronco Dean's rant

  

  Listen to Bronco Dean's postgame rant on the Jets.

• Rocky Multimedia

  

  The news comes alive in our videos and slide shows. Catch up on what's happening today.

• Stein's View

  

  Editorial cartoons by Ed Stein

• Holiday Gift Guide

  

  Looking to get a jump-start on the holiday shopping season?

• The Rocky @ 150 Years

  

  Read the Rocky's coverage of Colorado's cannibal, Alfred Packer, in 1886.