Gossage began his career with the White Sox in 1972, and quickly became one of the premier closers in the league. He was known for his intimidating fastball, which consistently reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour. He also had a signature pitch, a hard-breaking slider.
In 1976, Gossage was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he became the first reliever in history to ever win a Cy Young Award. He went on to have a highly successful stint with the Yankees in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
In addition to his impressive numbers, Gossage was also known for his fiery personality. He was not afraid to voice his opinions, and was often seen arguing with umpires and opponents.
Gossage closed out his career with the Seattle Mariners, Oakland Athletics, and San Francisco Giants, and retired in 1994. Since then, he has been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and his number has been retired by the Yankees.
Gossage's career is a testament to his outstanding ability as a reliever, and his impact on the game can still be felt today. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest closers in baseball history.
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