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Hall Of Fame Bios

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 27, 2008

Rich "Goose" Gossage

Born Jan. 5, 1951, in Colorado Springs, Colo. ... Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the ninth round of the 1970 amateur draft and played for nine teams in 22 years. ... Led the American League in saves in 1975 (26), 1978 (27) and 1980 (33) and was runner-up twice. ... Ranks third in wins in relief (115) and innings pitched in relief (1,556). ... His 1,502 strikeouts place him behind only Hoyt Wilhelm among pitchers who primarily pitched in relief. ... Named an All-Star eight times as a reliever, besides one selection as a starter.

Dick Williams

Born May 7, 1929, in St. Louis. ... 18th manager selected to Hall of Fame. ... Managed six teams in 21-year career, winning World Series with Oakland Athletics in 1972 and 1973. ... Won American League pennant with the Boston Red Sox in 1967 and National League pennant with San Diego in 1984. ... Also had tours with the California Angels and Montreal Expos. ... Managed 3,023 games with a 1,571-1,451 record for a .520 winning percentage.

Larry Whiteside

Recipient of J.G. Taylor Spink Award, presented annually for meritorious contributions to baseball writing. ... Born in Chicago in 1937 and graduated from Drake University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. ... Spent more than four decades covering baseball as a beat writer, reporter, columnist and national baseball writer. ... Moved to the Boston Globe in 1973, covering the Red Sox World Series runs in 1975 and 1986, as well as several Celtics playoff games. ... Died June 15, 2007, of complications from Parkinson's disease.

Dave Niehaus

Winner of Ford C. Frick Award, presented annually for major contributions to baseball broadcasting. ... Born and raised in Princeton, Ind. ... Has broadcast nearly every Seattle Mariners game for 32 years. ... Entering 2008 season had missed just 82 of 4,899 Mariners games. ... Noted for his signature catch phrase "My, Oh My! It will fly away!" ... Began his career with the Armed Forces Radio and TV Service, calling the action for Dodgers games before moving to New York to handle Yankees baseball, as well as hockey and basketball. ... Following his Armed Forces work, returned to Los Angeles to broadcast Dodgers, Lakers and Rams games.

Barney Dreyfuss

Born Feb. 23, 1865, in Freiburg, Germany. ... Began playing baseball when his doctor told him he needed to exercise and helped organize semipro teams in Paducah, Ky. ... In 1890 became part owner of the Louisville Colonels of the American Association and two years later the team joined the National League. ... With the future of the NL in doubt after the 1899 season and the impending formation of the American League, sold his share in the Colonels and became part owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates. ... In 1903 contacted Boston owner Henry Killilea and worked out provisions for the first World Series. ... Died Feb. 5, 1932, in Pittsburgh.

Bowie Kuhn

Born Oct. 28, 1926, at Takoma Park, Md. ... Graduated from Princeton in 1947 and the University of Maryland Law School in 1950, joining the law firm of Willkie, Farr & Gallagher and was named the NL's legal counsel. ... In 1969 became fifth commissioner of Major League Baseball. ... Died March 15, 2007.

Walter O'Malley

Born Oct. 9, 1903, in the Bronx. ... Acquired a piece of the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1944 and made a detailed study of baseball management in an effort to create a modern franchise. ... Became Dodgers president in 1951. .. Hired only two managers in the time he operated the franchise, Charlie Dressen and Walter Alston, who combined to win nine pennants and four World Series. ... Moved the Dodgers to Los Angeles in 1958. ... Retired as Dodgers president in 1969. ... Died Aug. 9, 1979.

Billy Southworth

Born March 9, 1893, at Harvard, Neb. ... Broke into the major leagues as an outfielder with the Cleveland Naps in 1913 and played for the Pirates, Braves and Giants before being acquired by the Cardinals in 1926. ... Hit .317 in 1926 and helped lead St. Louis to the city's first World Series title. In six of his nine full seasons as a manager, Southworth's teams won 90 or more games and reached the World Series four times. ... Had a career record of 1,044 wins and 704 losses, a .597 winning percentage, fifth all-time. ... Died Nov. 15, 1969.

Compiled from Tribune wires

HALL OF FAME CAPSULES

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