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Goose's votes may have more than doubled to reach 71.2 percent since his first appearance on the ballot in 2000, which apparently makes him a virtual lock next year since no candidate who has surpassed the 70% marker has been unsuccessful, but the question is, should it have ever reached a 9th ballot in the first place? Many would say it should never have reached a 2nd when you look at the career achievements of the 9 time All Star, who tallied 310 career saves with a 3.01 ERA between 1972-1994. If it wasnt for the Writers Associations short sighted opinions regarding relievers then that would probably be the case and I would not be writing this column. But the fact is the two time fireman of the year who intimidated his contemporaries with his demeanour and heavy duty fastball is not sitting pretty in the hall with his 1978 World Series glory where he should be, despite Rollie Fingers and Dennis Eckersley breaking down the walls of prejudice in the 90s.

Why? Merely because probability said the electorate could no longer ignore the 22 big league seasons of one of greatest relief pitchers of the last 30 years. Yet, despite being considered by many to be one of the best firemen of his era, as well as a pitching pioneer who helped define the role of the 21st century setup/closer, Goose Gossage still waits for the gates of Cooperstown to open 12 years after throwing his last Major League pitch. That is simply unfathomable when you consider he was every bit the equal of Bruce Sutter who already has his plaque hanging on the same wall as Whitey Ford and Red Ruffling.

When you consider that maybe it not so surprising that Gossage lost out after all? And while we continue to question the credibility of the Writers selection criteria we can only hope the words of Al Pacino in Godfather Part 2 are ringing in their heads: I swear on the lives of my children, give me one last chance to redeem myself and I will sin no more.

Goose Gossage - Hall Of Fame Ballot

New York Baseball Online

Goose Gossage - Hall Of Fame Ballot

The Writers Association have found themselves in this columnists crosshairs on more than one occasion this winter and it was in all honestly a complete shock to see them once again in the firing line after the results of this years ballot were publicized.