Goose Goslin
Encyclopedia
Leon Allen "Goose" Goslin (October 16, 1900 – May 15, 1971) was a left fielder
in Major League Baseball
known for his powerful left-handed swing and dependable clutch hitting. He played 18 seasons with the Washington Senators
, St. Louis Browns, and Detroit Tigers
, from until . He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1968.
, Goslin was 16 when he left home to play on a touring semipro circuit of the Eastern seaboard, and by 19 had moved into the minors in South Carolina
, where he was a pitcher. Goslin was discovered by famed scout, Joe Engel
. After hearing from Engel, Senators owner Clark Griffith
personally scouted Goslin and attended a Sally League
game in which Goslin was playing for Columbia, South Carolina
. A fly ball hit Goslin on the head, and another barely missed him. Goslin also hit three home runs in the game, and Griffith decided to take a chance on him.
Goslin’s difficulty in judging fly balls contributed to his nickname "Goose." Opposing players said Goslin resembled a bird flapping its wings when he ran after a ball with his arms waving. While not a great fielder, Goslin did have a good throwing arm, leading the American League
in assists
by an outfielder in and . However, one year during spring training
, Goslin wandered to an adjacent field where a track and field
team was working out. Goslin tried the shot put
, and his throwing arm was never the same afterward.
The 20-year-old Goslin was called up to the major leagues to play for the Washington Senators
for the last two weeks of the season. He had a promising .351 on base percentage
in 14 games in 1921 and became a starter for the Senators in .
Goslin played 93 games in 1922 and became a fixture for the Senators in left field until 1930. Goslin hit .324 in his first full season in 1922, followed by a .300 season in with 99 RBIs. Showing speed on the base paths, Goslin led the American League
with 18 triples
in 1923.
- seventh best in the league. At age 23, Goslin also hit for the cycle and was among the league leaders with 17 triples
(second best), 299 total bases
(fourth best) and 199 hits
(fifth best).
After the Senators had losing records in 1922 and 1923, Goslin helped spark the Senators to a 92-win season and their first World Series
championship in 1924. With a 36-year-old Walter Johnson
contributing 23 wins and the young Goslin knocking in 129 runs (50 more RBI than any other player on the team), the Senators finished two games ahead of the Yankees and defeated the New York Giants
in the 1924 World Series
. Goslin hit .344 with three home runs, seven RBI and a .656 slugging percentage in the 1924 World Series
.
Goslin contributed another strong performance to the 1925 Senators
, batting .334, with 72 extra base hits and 113 RBI. His 20 triples were tops in the American League. Once again, he batted in far more runs than any other Senators batter – 26 more than Sam Rice
. The Senators easily won their second consecutive pennant, finishing 8½ games ahead of the Philadelphia Athletics. Despite three home runs, seven RBI and a .656 slugging percentage by Goslin, the Senators were defeated in the 1925 World Series
by a Pittsburgh Pirates
team led by Pie Traynor
, Kiki Cuyler
and Max Carey
.
Despite Goslin’s role in leading the Senators to the 1924 and 1925 World Series, the American League MVP award for 1924 and 1925 went to Goslin's teammates Walter Johnson
and Roger Peckinpaugh
.
. He also finished among the league leaders with a .442 on base percentage
(third best in the league), a .614 slugging percentage (third best), 17 home run
s (third best) and 63 extra base hits (fourth best).
The 1928 batting title was not decided until the last day of the season. Goslin and Heinie Manush
of the St. Louis Browns were tied going into the final game, and the Senators and Browns played each other in the final game. Goslin was leading Manush when his turn came to bat in the ninth inning. If Goslin made an out, he would lose the batting crown. In Lawrence Ritter
's 1966 oral history, "The Glory of Their Times
," Goslin described the events that followed. Manager Bucky Harris
left the decision to Goslin on whether to bat or sit. Goslin decided to sit and take the batting crown, but his teammates (particularly Joe Judge
) goaded him that he would appear yellow if he didn't bat. Goslin was persuaded to bat and promptly took two strikes. At that point, Goslin recalled that he unsuccessfully tried to get ejected from the game, as the at bat would then disappear. Goslin began berating the home plate umpire about the strike calls, only to have the umpire tell him that he was not going to get ejected, and wasn't going to get a walk, so he better step back up and swing. Goslin ended up with what he called a "lucky hit" to beat Manush by a fraction of a point.
, the Senators traded him to the St. Louis Browns for Heinie Manush
and Alvin Crowder
. Goslin batted .326 with a career-high .652 slugging percentage for the Browns in 1930. In 101 games for the Browns, Goslin had 30 home runs, 100 RBI, and 62 extra base hits. Goslin had another solid year for the Browns in 1931, batting .328 with a career-high 42 doubles, 76 extra base hits and 105 RBI.
While Goslin’s average slipped to .299 in 1932, he still drove in 104 runs for the Browns. At the end of the 1932 season, Goslin was traded back to the Senators. Returning to the Senators in 1933, Goslin led the team back to the World Series. The Senators played in only three World Series in their history, and Goslin played for the Senators in every game of those Series. However, Goslin did not have his usual power in 1933. His 64 RBI and .452 slugging percentage were Goslin’s lowest numbers since his rookie season.
for John Stone
. Goslin later recounted that owner Clark Griffith
told him that he simply couldn't afford to pay him. Even though the Senators had made it to the World Series, the team was not making money. With stars Charlie Gehringer
and Hank Greenberg
already in place, the Tigers added future Hall of Famers Goslin and Mickey Cochrane
in the off-season. The 1934 Tigers became known as the “G-Men,” with the team’s top stars being Gehringer, Greenberg and Goslin. The 1934 Tigers sailed to the pennant with 101-53 record and were matched up in a classic World Series between the “G-Men” and St. Louis’s “Gashouse Gang
.” The Cardinals won a hard-fought seven-game series, which was filled with controversial calls and an infamous play in Game 6 which resulted in the Detroit crowd pelting Joe Medwick
with fruit in left field.
Goslin and the Tigers returned to the World Series in 1935. The Tigers won the 1935 World Series
on Goslin's game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 6. With the game tied 3-3 in the top of the ninth inning, the Cubs' Stan Hack
hit a lead-off triple
, but Detroit ace Tommy Bridges
struck out the next batter, followed by a ground-out and a fly-out caught by Goslin in left field. In the bottom of the ninth, Goslin came to bat with two outs and Mickey Cochrane
on second base. Goslin singled to right, driving in Cochrane for the winning run. Detroit had its first championship, and the "G-Men" were the toast of Detroit.
Goslin is one of only three players to be the last hitter of two World Series, having struck out to end the 1925 World Series
and won the 1935 World Series
with his walk-off RBI single. Edgar Rentería
won the 1997 Series
with a walk-off RBI single and ended the 2004 World Series
with a groundout to the pitcher. Boss Schmidt
of the Detroit Tigers ended the 1907 World Series
by popping up and the 1908 World Series
by grounding out. Goslin and Mickey Cochrane
were the only two non-Yankees in the American League to play in five World Series during the original Yankees
dynasty from 1921 to 1964.
) and center fielder (Myril Hoag
) collided and were knocked unconscious while sprinting for the ball. Goslin rounded the bases with an inside-the-park home run. The Tigers ended up releasing Goslin after his .238 season, and Goslin later recounted (in "The Glory of Their Times
") that he received a call from his old boss, Clark Griffith
, asking him if he'd be interested in ending his career back where it began in Washington
. Goslin jumped at the opportunity and batted .158 in 38 games for the Senators in the 1938 season. In 1939, Goslin became a player-manager for the Trenton Senators of the Interstate League
before retiring as a player.
Goslin finished his career after 18 major league seasons with a .316 batting average
and a .500 slugging percentage. His 4,325 total bases
, 2,735 hits
, 921 extra base hit
s, 1,609 RBI, 500 doubles
and 173 triples
all rank among the top 50 in each category in major league history. Goslin had 11 seasons with at least 100 RBI, and his league leadership in RBI in 1924 deprived Babe Ruth
of the triple crown.
Goslin holds the record for career home runs at Yankee Stadium (1923–2008) by a visiting player, with 32.
, by the Veterans Committee
. When he was inducted into the Hall, Goslin broke down and cried. “I have been lucky,” he said, “I want to thank God, who gave me the health and strength to compete with these great players. I will never forget this. I will take this to my grave.” He was one of three players born in New Jersey to be elected to the Hall of Fame, and one of five to have attended school in the State – in each case, the only one from the southern part of the State. In 1999, he ranked Number 89 on The Sporting News list of Baseball's Greatest Players, and was nominated as a finalist for the Major League Baseball
All-Century Team. Goslin ranked #6 on the Sports Illustrated
list of The 50 Greatest New Jersey Sports Figures.
After retiring from baseball, Goslin operated a boat rental company on Delaware Bay
for many years, until he retired in 1969. He died in Bridgeton, New Jersey
, aged 70, and is buried in the Baptist
Cemetery, Salem, New Jersey
.
Left fielder
In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
known for his powerful left-handed swing and dependable clutch hitting. He played 18 seasons with the Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, St. Louis Browns, and Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, from until . He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1968.
Early years
Born in Salem, New JerseySalem, New Jersey
Salem is a city in Salem County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the city population was 5,146. It is the county seat of Salem County, the most rural county in the state of New Jersey. The name Salem is related to the Hebrew word shalom, meaning "peace".The town and...
, Goslin was 16 when he left home to play on a touring semipro circuit of the Eastern seaboard, and by 19 had moved into the minors in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, where he was a pitcher. Goslin was discovered by famed scout, Joe Engel
Joe Engel
thumb|Joe Engel, 1913Joseph William Engel was an American right-handed pitcher and scout in Major League Baseball who spent nearly his entire career with the Washington Senators, and went on to become a promoter and team owner in the minor leagues. He was born in Washington, D.C...
. After hearing from Engel, Senators owner Clark Griffith
Clark Griffith
Clark Calvin Griffith , nicknamed "the Old Fox", was a Major League Baseball pitcher, manager and team owner.-Biography:...
personally scouted Goslin and attended a Sally League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
game in which Goslin was playing for Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
. A fly ball hit Goslin on the head, and another barely missed him. Goslin also hit three home runs in the game, and Griffith decided to take a chance on him.
Goslin’s difficulty in judging fly balls contributed to his nickname "Goose." Opposing players said Goslin resembled a bird flapping its wings when he ran after a ball with his arms waving. While not a great fielder, Goslin did have a good throwing arm, leading the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
in assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
by an outfielder in and . However, one year during spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, Goslin wandered to an adjacent field where a track and field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
team was working out. Goslin tried the shot put
Shot put
The shot put is a track and field event involving "putting" a heavy metal ball—the shot—as far as possible. It is common to use the term "shot put" to refer to both the shot itself and to the putting action....
, and his throwing arm was never the same afterward.
The 20-year-old Goslin was called up to the major leagues to play for the Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
for the last two weeks of the season. He had a promising .351 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
in 14 games in 1921 and became a starter for the Senators in .
Goslin played 93 games in 1922 and became a fixture for the Senators in left field until 1930. Goslin hit .324 in his first full season in 1922, followed by a .300 season in with 99 RBIs. Showing speed on the base paths, Goslin led the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
with 18 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
in 1923.
The 1924 and 1925 World Series
In , Goslin established himself as one of the league's top run producers, as he led the American League with 129 RBIs and a .344 batting averageBatting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
- seventh best in the league. At age 23, Goslin also hit for the cycle and was among the league leaders with 17 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
(second best), 299 total bases
Total bases
In baseball statistics, total bases refers to the number of bases a player has gained with hits, i.e., the sum of his hits weighted by 1 for a single, 2 for a double, 3 for a triple and 4 for a home run.Only bases attained from hits count toward this total....
(fourth best) and 199 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
(fifth best).
After the Senators had losing records in 1922 and 1923, Goslin helped spark the Senators to a 92-win season and their first World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
championship in 1924. With a 36-year-old Walter Johnson
Walter Johnson
Walter Perry Johnson , nicknamed "Barney" and "The Big Train", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Washington Senators...
contributing 23 wins and the young Goslin knocking in 129 runs (50 more RBI than any other player on the team), the Senators finished two games ahead of the Yankees and defeated the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
in the 1924 World Series
1924 World Series
In the 1924 World Series, the Washington Senators beat the New York Giants in seven games. The Giants became the first team to play in four consecutive World Series, winning in 1921–1922 and losing in 1923–1924. Their long-time manager, John McGraw, made his ninth and final World Series appearance...
. Goslin hit .344 with three home runs, seven RBI and a .656 slugging percentage in the 1924 World Series
1924 World Series
In the 1924 World Series, the Washington Senators beat the New York Giants in seven games. The Giants became the first team to play in four consecutive World Series, winning in 1921–1922 and losing in 1923–1924. Their long-time manager, John McGraw, made his ninth and final World Series appearance...
.
Goslin contributed another strong performance to the 1925 Senators
1925 Washington Senators season
The Washington Senators won 96 games, lost 55, and finished in first place in the American League. Fueled by the excitement of winning their second AL pennant, the Senators led 3 games to 1 the World Series before succumbing to the Pittsburgh Pirates....
, batting .334, with 72 extra base hits and 113 RBI. His 20 triples were tops in the American League. Once again, he batted in far more runs than any other Senators batter – 26 more than Sam Rice
Sam Rice
Edgar Charles "Sam" Rice was an American pitcher and right fielder in Major League Baseball. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1963....
. The Senators easily won their second consecutive pennant, finishing 8½ games ahead of the Philadelphia Athletics. Despite three home runs, seven RBI and a .656 slugging percentage by Goslin, the Senators were defeated in the 1925 World Series
1925 World Series
In the 1925 World Series, the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the defending champion Washington Senators in seven games.In a reversal of fortune on all counts from the previous 1924 World Series, when Washington's Walter Johnson had come back from two losses to win the seventh and deciding game, Johnson...
by a Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
team led by Pie Traynor
Pie Traynor
Harold Joseph "Pie" Traynor was an American professional baseball player, manager, scout and radio broadcaster. He played his entire Major League Baseball career as a third baseman with the Pittsburgh Pirates . He batted and threw right-handed...
, Kiki Cuyler
Kiki Cuyler
Hazen Shirley "Kiki" Cuyler was a Major League Baseball right fielder from 1921 until 1938. He was born in Harrisville, Michigan.Cuyler broke into the big leagues in 1921 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and became a fixture in the lineup in 1924...
and Max Carey
Max Carey
Max George Carey was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball who starred for the Pittsburgh Pirates and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1961...
.
Despite Goslin’s role in leading the Senators to the 1924 and 1925 World Series, the American League MVP award for 1924 and 1925 went to Goslin's teammates Walter Johnson
Walter Johnson
Walter Perry Johnson , nicknamed "Barney" and "The Big Train", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Washington Senators...
and Roger Peckinpaugh
Roger Peckinpaugh
Roger Thorpe Peckinpaugh was an American shortstop in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians , New York Yankees , Washington Senators and Chicago White Sox...
.
The 1928 Batting Title
Goslin continued as one of the American League’s best batters with averages of .354 and .334 in 1926 and 1927, but his best season came in . That year, he won the American League batting crown with a career-high .379 batting averageBatting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
. He also finished among the league leaders with a .442 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
(third best in the league), a .614 slugging percentage (third best), 17 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s (third best) and 63 extra base hits (fourth best).
The 1928 batting title was not decided until the last day of the season. Goslin and Heinie Manush
Heinie Manush
Henry Emmett Manush , nicknamed "Heinie" due to his German heritage, was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball, and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964....
of the St. Louis Browns were tied going into the final game, and the Senators and Browns played each other in the final game. Goslin was leading Manush when his turn came to bat in the ninth inning. If Goslin made an out, he would lose the batting crown. In Lawrence Ritter
Lawrence Ritter
Lawrence S. Ritter was an American writer whose specialties were economics and baseball.Ritter was a professor of economics and finance, and chairman of the Department of Finance at the Graduate School of Business Administration of New York University. He also edited the academic periodical...
's 1966 oral history, "The Glory of Their Times
The Glory of Their Times
The Glory of Their Times: The Story Of The Early Days Of Baseball Told By The Men Who Played It is a book, edited by Lawrence Ritter, telling the stories of early 20th century baseball...
," Goslin described the events that followed. Manager Bucky Harris
Bucky Harris
Stanley Raymond "Bucky" Harris was a Major League Baseball player, manager and executive. In 1975, the Veterans Committee elected Harris, as a manager, to the Baseball Hall of Fame.-Biography:...
left the decision to Goslin on whether to bat or sit. Goslin decided to sit and take the batting crown, but his teammates (particularly Joe Judge
Joe Judge
Joseph Ignatius Judge was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who played nearly his entire career for the Washington Senators...
) goaded him that he would appear yellow if he didn't bat. Goslin was persuaded to bat and promptly took two strikes. At that point, Goslin recalled that he unsuccessfully tried to get ejected from the game, as the at bat would then disappear. Goslin began berating the home plate umpire about the strike calls, only to have the umpire tell him that he was not going to get ejected, and wasn't going to get a walk, so he better step back up and swing. Goslin ended up with what he called a "lucky hit" to beat Manush by a fraction of a point.
Goslin's years with the Browns and return to the Senators
In 1929, Goslin’s batting average dropped 91 points to .288. Two months into the 1930 season, with Goslin struggling with a .271 batting averageBatting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, the Senators traded him to the St. Louis Browns for Heinie Manush
Heinie Manush
Henry Emmett Manush , nicknamed "Heinie" due to his German heritage, was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball, and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964....
and Alvin Crowder
Alvin Crowder
Alvin Floyd Crowder , nicknamed "General," was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played eleven seasons in the American League with the Washington Senators, the St. Louis Browns, and the Detroit Tigers...
. Goslin batted .326 with a career-high .652 slugging percentage for the Browns in 1930. In 101 games for the Browns, Goslin had 30 home runs, 100 RBI, and 62 extra base hits. Goslin had another solid year for the Browns in 1931, batting .328 with a career-high 42 doubles, 76 extra base hits and 105 RBI.
While Goslin’s average slipped to .299 in 1932, he still drove in 104 runs for the Browns. At the end of the 1932 season, Goslin was traded back to the Senators. Returning to the Senators in 1933, Goslin led the team back to the World Series. The Senators played in only three World Series in their history, and Goslin played for the Senators in every game of those Series. However, Goslin did not have his usual power in 1933. His 64 RBI and .452 slugging percentage were Goslin’s lowest numbers since his rookie season.
The "G-Men" Lead Detroit to the 1934 and 1935 World Series
After the Senators lost the 1933 World Series, the Senators traded Goslin to the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for John Stone
John Stone (baseball)
John Thomas Stone , nicknamed "Rocky," was an outfielder in Major League Baseball who played eleven seasons with the Detroit Tigers and Washington Senators...
. Goslin later recounted that owner Clark Griffith
Clark Griffith
Clark Calvin Griffith , nicknamed "the Old Fox", was a Major League Baseball pitcher, manager and team owner.-Biography:...
told him that he simply couldn't afford to pay him. Even though the Senators had made it to the World Series, the team was not making money. With stars Charlie Gehringer
Charlie Gehringer
Charles Leonard Gehringer , nicknamed “The Mechanical Man,” was a German-American Major League Baseball second baseman who played 19 seasons for the Detroit Tigers...
and Hank Greenberg
Hank Greenberg
Henry Benjamin "Hank" Greenberg , nicknamed "Hammerin' Hank" or "The Hebrew Hammer," was an American professional baseball player in the 1930s and 1940s. A first baseman primarily for the Detroit Tigers, Greenberg was one of the premier power hitters of his generation...
already in place, the Tigers added future Hall of Famers Goslin and Mickey Cochrane
Mickey Cochrane
Gordon Stanley "Mickey" Cochrane was a professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers...
in the off-season. The 1934 Tigers became known as the “G-Men,” with the team’s top stars being Gehringer, Greenberg and Goslin. The 1934 Tigers sailed to the pennant with 101-53 record and were matched up in a classic World Series between the “G-Men” and St. Louis’s “Gashouse Gang
Gashouse Gang
The Gashouse Gang was a nickname applied to the St. Louis Cardinals Major League Baseball team of .The Cardinals, by most accounts, earned this nickname from the team's generally very shabby appearance and rough-and-tumble tactics...
.” The Cardinals won a hard-fought seven-game series, which was filled with controversial calls and an infamous play in Game 6 which resulted in the Detroit crowd pelting Joe Medwick
Joe Medwick
Joseph Michael Medwick , nicknamed "Ducky", was an American Major League Baseball player. A left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals during the "Gashouse Gang" era of the 1930s, he also played for the Brooklyn Dodgers , New York Giants , and Boston Braves...
with fruit in left field.
Goslin and the Tigers returned to the World Series in 1935. The Tigers won the 1935 World Series
1935 World Series
The 1935 World Series featured the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago Cubs, with the Tigers winning in six games for their first championship in five Series appearances. They had lost in , , , and ....
on Goslin's game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 6. With the game tied 3-3 in the top of the ninth inning, the Cubs' Stan Hack
Stan Hack
Stanley Camfield Hack , nicknamed "Smiling Stan," was an American third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Chicago Cubs and was the National League's top third baseman in the late 1930s and early 1940s...
hit a lead-off triple
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, but Detroit ace Tommy Bridges
Tommy Bridges
Thomas Jefferson Davis Bridges was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career with the Detroit Tigers from 1930 to 1946...
struck out the next batter, followed by a ground-out and a fly-out caught by Goslin in left field. In the bottom of the ninth, Goslin came to bat with two outs and Mickey Cochrane
Mickey Cochrane
Gordon Stanley "Mickey" Cochrane was a professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers...
on second base. Goslin singled to right, driving in Cochrane for the winning run. Detroit had its first championship, and the "G-Men" were the toast of Detroit.
Goslin is one of only three players to be the last hitter of two World Series, having struck out to end the 1925 World Series
1925 World Series
In the 1925 World Series, the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the defending champion Washington Senators in seven games.In a reversal of fortune on all counts from the previous 1924 World Series, when Washington's Walter Johnson had come back from two losses to win the seventh and deciding game, Johnson...
and won the 1935 World Series
1935 World Series
The 1935 World Series featured the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago Cubs, with the Tigers winning in six games for their first championship in five Series appearances. They had lost in , , , and ....
with his walk-off RBI single. Edgar Rentería
Edgar Rentería
Edgar Enrique Rentería Herazo , nicknamed "The Barranquilla Baby," is a Colombian professional baseball shortstop. He throws and bats right-handed. Previously, he has played for the Florida Marlins, the St...
won the 1997 Series
1997 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 18, 1997 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, FloridaThe first World Series game in the state of Florida, Game 1 featured a youngster and a veteran facing each other on the mound...
with a walk-off RBI single and ended the 2004 World Series
2004 World Series
The 2004 World Series was the Major League Baseball championship series for the 2004 season. It was the 100th World Series and featured the American League champions, the Boston Red Sox, against the National League champions, the St. Louis Cardinals...
with a groundout to the pitcher. Boss Schmidt
Boss Schmidt
Charles "Boss" Schmidt was an American catcher in Major League Baseball who played six seasons with the Detroit Tigers ....
of the Detroit Tigers ended the 1907 World Series
1907 World Series
The 1907 World Series featured the Chicago Cubs and the Detroit Tigers, with the Cubs winning the Series four games to none for their first championship....
by popping up and the 1908 World Series
1908 World Series
The 1908 World Series matched the defending champion Chicago Cubs against the Detroit Tigers in a rematch of the 1907 Series. In this first-ever rematch of this young event, the Cubs won in five games for their second consecutive title....
by grounding out. Goslin and Mickey Cochrane
Mickey Cochrane
Gordon Stanley "Mickey" Cochrane was a professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers...
were the only two non-Yankees in the American League to play in five World Series during the original Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
dynasty from 1921 to 1964.
Goslin's Final Years in Baseball
Goslin played two more seasons with the Tigers in 1936 and 1937, batting .315 in 1936 but dropping to .238 in 1937. On July 28, 1936, Goslin hit one of the most unusual home runs in baseball history. Goslin drove the ball into the gap. The Yankees’ right fielder (Joe DiMaggioJoe DiMaggio
Joseph Paul "Joe" DiMaggio , nicknamed "Joltin' Joe" and "The Yankee Clipper," was an American Major League Baseball center fielder who played his entire 13-year career for the New York Yankees. He is perhaps best known for his 56-game hitting streak , a record that still stands...
) and center fielder (Myril Hoag
Myril Hoag
Myril Oliver Hoag was a major league baseball outfielder for the New York Yankees and other teams.Hoag was born in Davis, California. He played from April 15, 1931, until September 16, 1945. He batted and threw right-handed....
) collided and were knocked unconscious while sprinting for the ball. Goslin rounded the bases with an inside-the-park home run. The Tigers ended up releasing Goslin after his .238 season, and Goslin later recounted (in "The Glory of Their Times
The Glory of Their Times
The Glory of Their Times: The Story Of The Early Days Of Baseball Told By The Men Who Played It is a book, edited by Lawrence Ritter, telling the stories of early 20th century baseball...
") that he received a call from his old boss, Clark Griffith
Clark Griffith
Clark Calvin Griffith , nicknamed "the Old Fox", was a Major League Baseball pitcher, manager and team owner.-Biography:...
, asking him if he'd be interested in ending his career back where it began in Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. Goslin jumped at the opportunity and batted .158 in 38 games for the Senators in the 1938 season. In 1939, Goslin became a player-manager for the Trenton Senators of the Interstate League
Interstate League
The Interstate League was the name of five different American minor baseball leagues that played intermittently from 1896 through 1952. The longest tenured of these was the last incarnation, which played in the Middle Atlantic States from 1939 through 1952, and was one of the few mid-level minor...
before retiring as a player.
Goslin finished his career after 18 major league seasons with a .316 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
and a .500 slugging percentage. His 4,325 total bases
Total bases
In baseball statistics, total bases refers to the number of bases a player has gained with hits, i.e., the sum of his hits weighted by 1 for a single, 2 for a double, 3 for a triple and 4 for a home run.Only bases attained from hits count toward this total....
, 2,735 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, 921 extra base hit
Extra base hit
In baseball, an extra base hit , also known as a long hit, is any base hit on which the batter is able to advance past first base without the benefit of a fielder either committing an error or opting to make a throw to retire another base runner...
s, 1,609 RBI, 500 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and 173 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
all rank among the top 50 in each category in major league history. Goslin had 11 seasons with at least 100 RBI, and his league leadership in RBI in 1924 deprived Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
of the triple crown.
Goslin holds the record for career home runs at Yankee Stadium (1923–2008) by a visiting player, with 32.
The Hall of Fame and Life After Baseball
Goslin was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in , along with Kiki CuylerKiki Cuyler
Hazen Shirley "Kiki" Cuyler was a Major League Baseball right fielder from 1921 until 1938. He was born in Harrisville, Michigan.Cuyler broke into the big leagues in 1921 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and became a fixture in the lineup in 1924...
, by the Veterans Committee
Veterans Committee
The Veterans Committee is the popular name of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Committee to Consider Managers, Umpires, Executives and Long-Retired Players, a committee of the U.S...
. When he was inducted into the Hall, Goslin broke down and cried. “I have been lucky,” he said, “I want to thank God, who gave me the health and strength to compete with these great players. I will never forget this. I will take this to my grave.” He was one of three players born in New Jersey to be elected to the Hall of Fame, and one of five to have attended school in the State – in each case, the only one from the southern part of the State. In 1999, he ranked Number 89 on The Sporting News list of Baseball's Greatest Players, and was nominated as a finalist for the Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
All-Century Team. Goslin ranked #6 on the Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
list of The 50 Greatest New Jersey Sports Figures.
After retiring from baseball, Goslin operated a boat rental company on Delaware Bay
Delaware Bay
Delaware Bay is a major estuary outlet of the Delaware River on the Northeast seaboard of the United States whose fresh water mixes for many miles with the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is in area. The bay is bordered by the State of New Jersey and the State of Delaware...
for many years, until he retired in 1969. He died in Bridgeton, New Jersey
Bridgeton, New Jersey
Bridgeton is a city in Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States, in the south part of the state, on the Cohansey River, near Delaware Bay. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 25,349. It is the county seat of Cumberland County...
, aged 70, and is buried in the Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
Cemetery, Salem, New Jersey
Salem, New Jersey
Salem is a city in Salem County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the city population was 5,146. It is the county seat of Salem County, the most rural county in the state of New Jersey. The name Salem is related to the Hebrew word shalom, meaning "peace".The town and...
.
See also
- 1935 Detroit Tigers season1935 Detroit Tigers seasonThe Detroit Tigers won the 1935 World Series, defeating the Chicago Cubs 4 games to 2. The season was their 35th since they entered the American League in 1901...
- List of top 300 Major League Baseball home run hitters
- List of major league players with 2,000 hits
- List of Major League Baseball players with 400 doubles
- List of Major League Baseball players with 100 triples
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBI
- Hitting for the cycleHitting for the cycleIn baseball, hitting for the cycle is the accomplishment of one batter hitting a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in the same game. Collecting the hits in that order is known as a "natural cycle". Cycles are uncommon in Major League Baseball , occurring 293 times since the first by Curry...
- List of Major League Baseball RBI champions
- List of Major League Baseball batting champions
- List of Major League Baseball triples champions
- List of Major League Baseball triples records
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases