Jim Gosger
| Birthdate | 11/6/1942 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1963 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Athletics, Expos, Mets, Pilots, Red Sox |
| Positions | Center Field, First Base, Left Field, Right Field |
Boston’s Jim Gosger was the last batter 59-year old Satchel Paige faced in his final big league game, a scoreless performance of three innings.
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In the collection:
Satchel Paige was 59 years old when he threw his last MLB pitch to Jim Gosger
Satchel Paige was 59 years old when he threw his last MLB pitch to Jim Gosger
It was supposed to be a mere publicity stunt. Athletics owner Charlie Finley signed Satchel Paige to a one-day contract to take the mound on Satchel Paige night. Hoping to boost attendance, Finley was a true showman, bringing out a rocking chair for Pagie to sit in before the start of the game. The visiting Red Sox must have been licking their chops at the prospects of facing the 59-year old Paige.
But something happened on the way to the publicity stunt — Paige quieted the Boston bats for three innings, surrendering only one hit, by future Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzesmki. The last batter to face Paige was Jim Gosger. In the collection is this questionnaire about that night. Gosger thoughtfully pens his recollections.
Satchel Paige remains one of the best known players ever produced by the Negro Leagues
Satchel Paige remains one of the best known players ever produced by the Negro Leagues
Don’t Look Back was the title of the book and movie about the life and times of Satchel Paige. In the collection is a contract Paige signed in agreement to be interviewed on ABC radio about the book and movie.
At the bottom of the contract, a brief introduction of Paige is written, “He was in the black leagues from 1926-1947 when blacks weren’t allowed in the Major Leagues.
He feels that the hitters of his era were better than the hitters of today because the ball was deader and the fences were farther back.”
Paige’s mythical standing is based in fact and steeped in legend. Some players legacies continue to expand after they retire.
