Manufacturer: Topps
Set: 1973 Topps Baseball ➡️
Player Name: Rich “Goose” Gossage
Position/Team: Pitcher for White Sox
Card #: 174
Card Size: 2-1/2” x 3-1/2”
Card Values: See Pricing Table Below
Richard Michael “Goose” Gossage was a dominant force in Major League Baseball for over two decades (1972-1994), revolutionizing the role of the closer with his intimidating presence, blistering fastball, and distinctive “Fu Manchu” mustache. He played for nine different teams, but his most impactful years came with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres.
Gossage was originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1970 as a starting pitcher. He debuted in the majors in 1972, initially as a starter, but quickly showed his potential in relief. By 1975, with the White Sox, he fully embraced the relief role, leading the American League with 26 saves. After being traded to the Pirates, Gossage continued his strong performance, earning his second All-Star selection.
Gossage signed with the New York Yankees as a free agent before the 1978 season, and it was here that he truly cemented his legend as one of baseball’s first truly dominant, high-leverage closers. He was a crucial part of the Yankees’ 1978 World Series championship team, often pitching multiple innings to close out games. He was an AL All-Star with the Yankees from 1978-1981 and again in 1983, leading the AL in saves in 1978 (27) and 1980 (33). Gossage joined the Padres in 1984 and continued to be an elite closer, helping them reach the World Series that year (losing to the Detroit Tigers). He earned another All-Star nod in 1985.
After his time with the Padres, Gossage continued to pitch, albeit in a more nomadic fashion, for the Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees (a second stint), Texas Rangers, and Oakland Athletics, even making a final appearance with the Seattle Mariners in 1994 at the age of 42.
After a lengthy wait on the ballot, Rich “Goose” Gossage was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008 on his ninth year of eligibility, receiving 85.8% of the votes. His induction was a recognition of his pioneering role as a dominant closer and his impact on how the game was played. He is considered one of the prototypes of the modern power closer.
Gossage has remained an outspoken figure in baseball, often commenting on the evolution of the game, particularly the changing role of relief pitchers and the perceived softness of modern players compared to his era.
Goose Gossage’s most recognized rookie card is this 1973 Topps #174. This card features Gossage as a pitcher for the Chicago White Sox and is part of the clean, vertical-design 1973 Topps set.
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Pricing Data For This Rookie Card
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Did You Know? Gossage’s legendary, menacing horseshoe mustache was born out of pure defiance. In the early 1980s, New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner enforced a strict, corporate grooming policy that banned facial hair below the lip. Frustrated by the rules, Gossage purposely grew his mustache long and wide, letting it flare out past the corners of his mouth. He technically stayed within the rules because it didn’t descend past his jawline, but it created an incredibly intimidating, wild-west outlaw look that terrified batters before he even threw a pitch.
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