Congratulations, Goose Gossage

Rich, nice work getting into the Hall. Very well deserved as far as I'm concerned. Putting aside that little bomb you gave up to Gibby in Game 5 of the '84 World Series, you were one heck of a Padre. Pairing you and Nettles and Garvey with a bunch of youngsters by the names of Gwynn, McReynolds, Wiggins and Martinez, and sprinkling in a few veterans with names like Kennedy and Templeton, worked out pretty well back in the day.

You were stellar in '84. 102-plus innings. 10 wins. 84 Ks. 25 saves. 2.90 ERA. Then, in the playoffs, you pitched a 2-inning save in the clinching Game 5 of the NLCS. Hello first World Series in Padres history. Forget that 8th inning in Game 4 (bygones) and the Series itself. You were a major reason the Padres made it to the playoffs at all. Don't ever forget that.

And '85 too, that team may have been even better than the '84 squad. In first place for 68 days before a horrendous July and a shaky September - not to mention Pedro Guerrero going ballistic for the Dadgers - upset the Drinos chances for a repeat pennant. Your line was again ridiculous. 79 innings, 26 saves, 1.82 ERA. Just huge. Assuredly you were one of the top free agent signings in Padres history.

So, congrats again, Goose. The Hall just got one better.