New books explore the life and career of Port Huron MLB player Jim Gosger

USA Today

5 days ago

PORT HURON — Having spent 10 seasons in Major League Baseball, Jim Gosger has no shortage of stories to tell.
The Port Huron native has shared many with the Times Herald in the five decades since his last game.
Now, two of the journalists who know him best have compiled those stories — and so much more.
Former Times Herald reporters Brian Marshall and John Nogowski recently published their respective books that take a closer look at Gosger's career.
"It brings back so many good memories," said the 82-year-old Gosger, who still lives in Port Huron. "I was so impressed. They did a hell of a job."
The outfielder played 705 games in the MLB between 1963 and 1974. His time was split among five teams: the Boston Red Sox, Kansas City/Oakland Athletics, Seattle Pilots, New York Mets and Montreal Expos.
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Marshall's work, "Goose on the Loose: Ex-Big-Leaguer Recalls Colorful Career," chronicles Gosger — known to his teammates as "Goose" — on his journey from childhood to the major leagues.
"The one thing that really shines through is just his passion for baseball," said Marshall, who worked at the Times Herald from 1986 to 2002. "He just says how lucky he feels that he was able to do that for a living."
While Nogowski's book, "Diamond Duels: Baseball's Greatest Matchups," doesn't solely focus on Gosger, it dedicates the final chapter to him.
"I've known Jim since I was in Port Huron," said Nogowski, who worked at the Times Herald from 1989 to 1993. "He's been a great friend. To close the book out, I thought, 'Well, let's just sit down and talk about his career, the different pitchers he's faced and things like that.' It was interesting."
The same can be said for Gosger's tenure.
From being the last batter to face Satchel Paige, to playing for both the ill-fated Pilots and eventual-champion Mets in 1969, there are several historical footnotes that bear his name.
He crossed paths with legends such as Ted Williams, Reggie Jackson, Willie Mays and Yogi Berra.
"There are just so many great moments — for someone who was not a superstar," Marshall said. "In the book, there are a couple of stories involving Denny McLain of the Tigers."
One of Marshall's favorites occurred on June 8, 1966, when Gosger hit two home runs off McLain — the only multi-home run game of his career.
"Jim said when he was rounding the bases after his second home run, McLain was just screaming at him," Marshall said. "And Jim was laughing all the way around the bases."
"McLain and I are still friends," Gosger said. "I was in tears when I read this book. Because I could remember everything that happened that Brian had put in."
Gosger's only request was for the book to be dedicated to his late father, who died in 1980.
"My father was my biggest booster," Gosger said. "I was 5 years old, he got me a ball, and we played catch right out here in the front yard."
"His dad's dream was for Jim to make it to the major leagues," Marshall said. "There was a poignant moment — Jim was 8 years old — and his dad took him to a Tigers game. They were playing the Red Sox. He was sitting in the upper deck. Ted Williams was playing left field and his dad said, 'Jimmy, one day, that's going to be you down there.' "
Gosger hasn't forgotten his response.
"I said, 'Dad, I'm 8 years old,' " Gosger said. "I can remember it as if were yesterday."
Shortly after his father's prediction came true, Gosger's teammates dubbed him "Goose."
"My first year in pro ball, they started hollering, 'Hey Goose, hey Goose,' " Gosger said. "I don't know why. That's the name that they gave me and that's always what I went by. Never Jim, always Goose."
Both "Goose on the Loose" and "Diamond Duels" are available for purchase on Amazon.
Contact Brenden Welper at [e-mail]. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @BrendenWelper.