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Goose Gossage: Thurman Munson doesn't take a back seat to any HOF catcher, Johnny Bench included

steve doerschuk, canton repository
·6 min read

CANTON − Rich "Goose" Gossage and Tommy John will never forget Yankee captain Thurman Munson, even if the Hall of Fame has.

Gossage, who is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and John, who perhaps should be, testified to the staying power of friendship by coming to Canton on Thursday, 44 years after Munson died in a plane crash.

Gossage and John sat in living-room chairs on a stage in downtown Canton's DoubleTree Hotel, prompting laughter and applause from a large crowd at the Thurman Munson Catcher's Scholarship Dinner.

New York Yankees catcher Thurman Munson is interviewed in the locker room following the Yankees' one-game playoff victory over the Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Oct. 2, 1978. The victory made the Yankees the American League East champions.
New York Yankees catcher Thurman Munson is interviewed in the locker room following the Yankees' one-game playoff victory over the Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Oct. 2, 1978. The victory made the Yankees the American League East champions.

Early on, Gossage promised he didn't come all the way to Canton to make nice.

"He needs his little fat ass kicked," Gossage said, drawing some howls.

Gossage turned serious in the same breath, noting it was his first trip to Canton in 44 years.

New York Yankees guest instructor Rich "Goose" Gossage speaks with a member of the media during a spring training baseball workout Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, in Tampa, Fla.
New York Yankees guest instructor Rich "Goose" Gossage speaks with a member of the media during a spring training baseball workout Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, in Tampa, Fla.

"The last time I was here, it was not a pleasant situation," he said.

The last time was for the funeral in Memorial Civic Center, on Aug. 5, 1979. Munson perished three days earlier after trying to land his private jet at Akron-Canton Airport.

The Yankees were off after playing in Chicago the previous night. Munson flew in intending to spend his team's off day with his family in Canton.

"I got the phone call from Mr. (George) Steinbrenner that night," Gossage said. "I pray to God I never get another phone call like that."

George Steinbrenner, left, owner of the New York Yankees and Yankees pitcher Tommy John are shown at the Stork Club in New York, Tuesday, June 5, 1979, where they helped to kick off the 15th annual All-American collegiate golf foundation dinner.
George Steinbrenner, left, owner of the New York Yankees and Yankees pitcher Tommy John are shown at the Stork Club in New York, Tuesday, June 5, 1979, where they helped to kick off the 15th annual All-American collegiate golf foundation dinner.

Steve Fettman, who operates Davies Pharmacy on Tuscarawas Street, is Canton's loudest voice in keeping Munson's Hall of Fame candidacy alive.

In her remarks Thursday night, Diana Munson, Thurman's widow, said, "Steve is an honorary member of the family." The real family was there, including Diana and Thurman's three children.

More about Thurman Munson: Doerschuk | Munson was the celebrity next door

Munson's former Lehman High School teammates Jerome Pruett, Joe Gilhousen and Tom Bernabei were there. Andre Thornton, a popular Cleveland slugger who played against Munson, was in the house.

Tommy John and his wife attended with two small, well-behaved dogs.

Diana Munson warned Gossage might use a few naughty words.

Gossage, 72, spoke this crowd's language when he said, "When it comes to Hall of Famer catchers, Thurman doesn't have to take a back seat to anybody, Johnny Bench or anyone else."

National Baseball Hall of Famer Goose Gossage, is introduced during an induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center on Sunday, July 29, 2018, in Cooperstown, N.Y.
National Baseball Hall of Famer Goose Gossage, is introduced during an induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center on Sunday, July 29, 2018, in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Gossage recalled "meeting" Munson in 1976 when he pitched for the White Sox.

"One got away from me," he said. "The ball hit Thurman's elbow and just stuck there. I never hit anybody harder. His elbow just blew up. It was this big.

"It seemed like 10 minutes before he went to first base.

"After the game the visiting batboy came over and said, 'Mr. Munson wanted me to give this to you."

New York Yankees' Thurman Munson slides across home plate to score in the eighth inning as the ball bounces in to Chicago White Sox catcher Brian Downing, Aug. 24, 1977 in Chicago. Munson scored on a Reggie Jackson single to center field.
New York Yankees' Thurman Munson slides across home plate to score in the eighth inning as the ball bounces in to Chicago White Sox catcher Brian Downing, Aug. 24, 1977 in Chicago. Munson scored on a Reggie Jackson single to center field.

It was profanity-laced note about picking on the wrong tough guy.

Gossage and Tommy John were World Series rivals before they were Munson's New York teammates. Pitching against the Yankees for the Dodgers in the 1978 World Series, John won Game 1. John pitched seven innings in Game 4 and left with a 3-2 lead.

Dodgers pitcher Tommy John delivers the first pitch in Game 1 of the World Series, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 1978 in Los Angeles. Batting is New York Yankees Mickey Rivers. The umpire is Ed Vargo. Catching for the Dodgers is Steve Yeager. First pitch was a called strike.
Dodgers pitcher Tommy John delivers the first pitch in Game 1 of the World Series, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 1978 in Los Angeles. Batting is New York Yankees Mickey Rivers. The umpire is Ed Vargo. Catching for the Dodgers is Steve Yeager. First pitch was a called strike.

On the verge of going down three games to one, Munson's RBI double tied it at 3-all. New York won 4-3 in 10 innings, Gossage getting the win.

In Game 5, Munson's five RBIs led New York to a 12-2 romp. In Game 6, Gossage worked the final two innings in a win that provided a world championship.

New York Yankees Thurman Munson connects with the ball for a double in the seventh inning of the World Series game with the Los Angeles Dodgers in New York, Oct. 15, 1978. Munson knocked in two runs with the hit . Yanks won,12-2, with Munson getting three hits and knocking in five runs. Dodger catcher Johnny Oates and umpire is Frank Pulli also seen in the photo.

John jumped to the Yankees in 1979, which soon took a "Bronx Zoo" turn. A fight with teammate Cliff Johnson resulted in a hand injury to Gossage and Johnson getting traded to Cleveland.

Gossage missed time and was a mess when he returned. Catcher Munson's response was irreverence.

More about Thurman Munson: Celebrating Thurman Munson's life by those who knew him

New York Yankee catcher Thurmon Munson standing by home plate in 1977.
New York Yankee catcher Thurmon Munson standing by home plate in 1977.

An automobile was used to drive Yankee relievers from the bullpen to the edge of the infield.

"Driving that car with me in it was dangerous," Gossage said. "Everything anybody was eating or drinking was all over that car."

Gossage recalls Munson visiting the mound.

Dodgers first baseman Steve Garvey, left, and Yankees catcher Thurman Munson have a pregame talk at the batting cage, Oct. 10, 1978 in Los Angeles before the start of the World Series.
Dodgers first baseman Steve Garvey, left, and Yankees catcher Thurman Munson have a pregame talk at the batting cage, Oct. 10, 1978 in Los Angeles before the start of the World Series.

"He said, 'How ya gonna lose this one?' Then he ran back to the catcher's box," Gossage said.

Another time during the slump, Gossage saw Munson laughing hysterically in the catcher's box. Gossage turned and saw center fielder Mickey Rivers in a sprinter's starting-block stance, poised to chase the bomb Gossage was about to surrender.

Gossage recalled the Yankees taking a commercial flight to a road game. Munson horsed around in coach class with a boom box playing Neil Diamond tunes.

Regular passengers got ticked as Gossage urged Munson to tone it down. Manager Billy Martin, who according to Gossage was "half in the bag," stormed back from first class.

Thurman Munson, center, listen as Yankees manager Billy Martin argues with umpire Edwin Merrill after Merrill called Munson out on a steal attempt at home against the Twins in Bloomington, Minn., July 20, 1978.
Thurman Munson, center, listen as Yankees manager Billy Martin argues with umpire Edwin Merrill after Merrill called Munson out on a steal attempt at home against the Twins in Bloomington, Minn., July 20, 1978.

Gossage:

"Billy looked at Thurman and said, 'Captain, my ass.' Thurman took off his headphones and asked, 'What did he say?' When Billy repeated what he said, Thurman dove at Billy from his window seat."

From left, Los Angeles Dodger manager Tom Lasorda, baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn, New York Yankees manager Billy Martin, and Dodgers pitcher Tommy John meet the press in New York, Oct. 12, 1977, before Game 2 of the 1977 World Series.
From left, Los Angeles Dodger manager Tom Lasorda, baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn, New York Yankees manager Billy Martin, and Dodgers pitcher Tommy John meet the press in New York, Oct. 12, 1977, before Game 2 of the 1977 World Series.

Gossage said coach Elston Howard saved a life as he dragged Martin, kicking and screaming, back to first class.

"That was the last time we flew commercial," Gossage said. "Thurman was a bad ass, and he had a good time doing it."

National Baseball Hall of Famer Goose Gossage arrives for an induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center on Sunday, July 30, 2017, in Cooperstown, N.Y.
National Baseball Hall of Famer Goose Gossage arrives for an induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center on Sunday, July 30, 2017, in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Gossage made 310 career saves and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2008. After 1979, he played another 15 years. Munson had only a few weeks to live when he helped "The Goose" out of his slump.

Gossage has his funny Munson stories. The quiet moments get him. He got choked up while recalling a dinner in Chicago, when it was just him and Munson, talking about life.

Thurman Munson waits for teammate "Goose" Gossage to leap into his arms after the New York Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals in the 1978 American League Championship Series.
Thurman Munson waits for teammate "Goose" Gossage to leap into his arms after the New York Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals in the 1978 American League Championship Series.

"Very little time goes by when I don't think about him," Gossage said. "All of us loved him. He was the heart and soul of the team."

Tommy John spoke only briefly, having been the main attraction at last year's dinner. John has not made the Hall of Fame despite rebounding from a famous surgery bearing his name, winning 288 games, and posting a 2.65 earned run average in 88 postseason innings.

New York Yankee's pitcher Tommy John is shown in action on the mound in 1979.
New York Yankee's pitcher Tommy John is shown in action on the mound in 1979.

Munson's credentials include American League Rookie of the Year in 1970, American League Most Valuable Player in 1977, and a .357 batting average in 30 postseason games.

Diana Munson expressed a grand dream of her husband and John getting in the Hall the same year.

Gossage and John were the stars at an event supporting the Munson Boys and Girls Catcher's Scholarships. The 2023 winners are Victoria Boyer of Perry and Garrett Wright of Jackson.

Also recognized were three new Hall of Famers in the Boys and Girls Club of Canton at J. Babe Stearn Community Center. They are Charles Hairston, Herb Hamilton and Richard Szink.

Reach Steve at steve.doerschuk@cantonrep.com

New York Yankees catcher Thurman Munson is seen at-bat in 1977. Munson was an American League Rookie of the Year, an AL MVP, a seven-time All-Star and a two-time World Series champion.
New York Yankees catcher Thurman Munson is seen at-bat in 1977. Munson was an American League Rookie of the Year, an AL MVP, a seven-time All-Star and a two-time World Series champion.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Goose Gossage, Tommy John tout Thurman Munson for Hall of Fame