Hall of Famer Goose Gossage Highlights the 2015 Hot Stove Banquet
Hall of Fame relief pitcher Goose Gossage will be the featured guest at the Charleston RiverDogs 11th Annual Hot Stove Banquet & Auction on January 30 in the Charleston Marriott Crystal Ballroom.
The Hot Stove Banquet is an annual event hosted by the Charleston RiverDogs that brings all baseball fans together to celebrate the magic of America's Favorite Pastime. The Hall of Fame pitcher will share behind-the-scenes stories, answer questions, sign autographs and pose for pictures.
Tom McQueeney State Farm Insurance is the presenting sponsor for the eighth consecutive year. Proceeds from the Hot Stove Banquet benefit The Citadel, College of Charleston and Charleston Southern baseball programs and the MUSC's Storm Eye Institute, which is the RiverDogs' primary charity.
"The Hot Stove Banquet is one of the premiere baseball banquets in the region and in our 11th year, I believe this could be our best one yet as we feature a former Yankee and Hall of Famer, Goose Gossage," said RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols.
The reception begins at 6 pm with the dinner starting at 7 o'clock. Tickets are $65 per person and include dinner, a table gift, an autograph and photo opportunity. Tables of eight with preferred seating are $550.
The RiverDogs will also offer the opportunity to rub elbows with Gossage during a VIP Meet & Greet earlier in the afternoon to visit with the Hall of Famer. To bid on this opportunity visit riverdogs.com beginning Wednesday, December 17th.
Gossage, who was enshrined in Baseball's Hall of Fame in 2008, played 22 seasons for nine different teams, spending his best years with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres, before retiring in 1994. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Gossage was one of the earliest manifestations of the dominating closer, with wild facial hair and a gruff demeanor to go along with his blistering fastball.
During his career, Gossage pitched in 1,002 games, finished 681 of them and collected 310 saves. He made nine All-Star Game appearances and pitched in three World Series. He led the American League in saves in 1975 with 26, 1978 with 27 and 1980 with 33. He holds the New York Yankees career record for ERA (2.14) and hits per nine innings (6.59). One difference between Gossage and more recent closers is that Gossage often pitched as many as three innings to finish a game, while modern closers typically pitch the ninth inning only.
In 1975, Gossage was named The Sporting News Fireman/Reliever of the Year while making the All-Star team for the first time. In '78, The Sporting News recognized him again with the same citation and he was also named the American League's Rolaids Relief Pitcher of the Year while making his fourth-consecutive All-Star Team.
A native of Colorado Springs, Colo., Gossage, who attended Colorado State University, was enshrined in Colorado Springs' Sports Hall of Fame, and was added to San Diego's Hall of Champions and the Colorado High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.
He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the ninth round of the 1970 amateur draft and at age 20, made his major league debut on April 16, 1972. During his career in which he always wore No. 54, he played for the Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Oakland A's and Seattle Mariners. In 2000, he wrote his autobiography and is titled "The Goose is Loose."
For tickets and additional information, please contact the RiverDogs at (843) 577-DOGS (3647).
Tickets may also be purchased online at riverdogs.com or rileyparkevents.com.
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Previous Hot Stove Speakers
2013 - Phil Niekro & Javy Lopez
2012 - Wade Boggs
2011 - John Smoltz
2010 - Bobby Cox
2009 - Dale Murphy
2008 - Gaylord Perry
2007 - Jeff Francoeur
2006 - Tommy John
2005 - Jim Bouton
2004 - Bobby Richardson & John Blanchard