COOPERSTOWN

"How Do You Spell Relief? G-O-S-S-A-G-E" is the lead story in this week's edition of The Freeman's Journal, exploring how Rich "Goose" Gossage pioneered the concept of "relief pitcher."
According to sports writer Charlie Vascellaro, there was a lag in the understanding of the special talents -- grace under fire, in particular -- needed to be an exceptional relief pitcher.
That lag delayed recognition of Gossage, and of Bruce Sutter, who was the first relief pitcher inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, in 2006.
Gossage's induction is at 1:30 p.m. Sunday in a field to the south of the Clark Sports Center.
CAPTION: Rich Gossage in early career, before the nickname "Goose" stuck.