HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — Rich (Goose) Gossage, the Hall of Fame pitcher who put fear into opposing batters for years, was such a hit with fans at the 2021 Hot Springs Baseball Weekend that he is returning August 26 – 27 for the Fifth Annual event at the Hot Springs Convention Center.
“The Goose was so popular with last year’s fans that we just had to bring him back this year,” Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison said Tuesday. “We had more people come up to us after last year’s Baseball Weekend saying how much they enjoyed hearing Goose and wishing he’d had more time to talk about his amazing career.
“So he’s back. Goose says what he thinks and tells it like he sees it, and that’s just really refreshing. Fans who enjoyed his visit last year will have even more time to interact with him this year.”
Gossage will join previously announced celebrity guests Dale Murphy and Chris Chambliss in panel discussions and individual talks, Arrison said.
The weekend celebrates Hot Springs’ international status as The Birthplace of Major League Baseball Springs Training. All of the weekend’s activities are free and open to the public.
Gossage, real name Rich, was a fireballing pitcher for the Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees and San Diego Padres. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008.
Gossage could be an intimidating presence on the mound, standing 6-foot-3 inches with a penetrating scowl. But of all his attributes, it was his overpowering fastball, which could reach 100 miles an hour, which made him one of the top relief pitchers throughout the 1970s and ‘80s.
When Gossage, a nine-time All-Star, retired after the 1994 season he had built up quite a resume, finishing a 22-year big league career with nine different big league clubs. His lifetime statistics included a 124-107 record, 3.01 ERA, 1,002 games, 310 saves, 1,809.1 innings pitched and 1,502 strikeouts.
“I gave them their money’s worth,” Gossage said.
For more information call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.
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