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NEW YORK -- On a day when dozens of Yankees greats were back on the field in pinstripes, Goose Gossage was overwhelmed to be the centre of attention. The Hall of Fame reliever with the blazing fastball and bushy moustache was honoured by the team on Old-Timers Day with a plaque to be put in Monument Park. "This is the greatest day Ive ever had," he told the sellout crowd of 47,493 at Yankee Stadium. Joined on the field by his family and old-timers from Yogi Berra to Bucky Dent, Gossage unveiled his plaque at home plate and grabbed the microphone Sunday to chants of "Goooose" before New York hosted the Baltimore Orioles. "I played for nine different teams, and putting on the pinstripes was like the closest thing to an out-of-body experience Ive ever had," Gossage said. "Outside of the day my kids were born and going into Cooperstown, it doesnt get any better than this. Its awesome," he added later. "Just an amazing day. I cant even put into words what it means." Gossage pitched for the Yankees from 1978-83, helping them to a World Series title during his first season in pinstripes. He returned for 11 games in 1989. Back in his day, closers routinely pitched multiple innings -- and Gossage was no different. He went 42-28 with a 2.14 ERA and 151 saves for the Yankees, leaving him third on the clubs career list behind Mariano Rivera (652) and Dave Righetti (224). "What he did in his era was just incredible," former New York pitcher David Wells said. After spending so much time in the bullpen at the previous Yankee Stadium, just a few steps from Monument Park, Gossage said he never could have imagined having his own plaque out there with all the others. The inscription on his marker begins by calling Gossage "one of the most intimidating pitchers ever to don pinstripes." It becomes the 28th plaque grouped behind the centre-field fence, where seven monuments commemorate such all-time greats as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle, along with late owner George Steinbrenner. The tribute came one day after the Yankees presented Tino Martinez with a Monument Park plaque in a similar celebration. Gossage tipped his cap to the crowd, and a video montage of his Yankees highlights preceded his speech. Diana Munson, the widow of former batterymate Thurman Munson, gave the pitcher a framed replica of his plaque, and the team presented him with a flashy No. 54 ring outlined in diamonds. "I cant tell you what it means to me and my family," said Gossage, recalling that Old-Timers Day was always his favourite day of the year during his Yankees tenure. "I dont even really know what to say. Its totally overwhelming to me." When the ceremony was over, the old-timers took the field for a four-inning game. Ron Guidry was on the mound, Rickey Henderson led off with a double and Mickey Rivers made a smooth catch in right-centre to rob Martinez of extra bases. Jesse Barfield homered into the left-field corner off David Cone, who trotted from first to third right alongside the ex-slugger. "I always wanted to run the bases," Cone said. "The only way I could do it was to piggyback off Jesse." Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui each made their first appearance at Old-Timers Day, both drawing a big hand. Matsui came in from left field to pitch to Reggie Jackson in a made-for-Hollywood matchup of Godzilla vs. Mr. October. Berra and fellow Hall of Famer Whitey Ford, both in their 80s, waved from a golf cart and received standing ovations. Later on, still wearing his full uniform, Gossage threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Yankees played the Orioles. Cheap Shoes Australia Free Shipping . 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Just as the meeting was beginning, Major League Baseball unveiled Rule 7.13, an experimental rule for the 2014 season aimed at eliminating what the league calls “egregious” runner/catcher collisions at home plate.Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. This week, they discuss Johnny Manziel, George Springer, Rory McIlroy and the Boston Red Sox. Dave Naylor, TSN - My thumb is down to Cleveland Browns draft pick Johnny Manziel for last weekends Las Vegas adventure, partying it up with Rob Gronkowski and a pool full of bikini-clad young women in a scene out of spring break. Apparently, Justin Bieber couldnt make it. Look, I know what some of you are thinking - what 21-year-old male wouldnt enjoy a weekend like that? And we dont judge them the same way. True enough, but when youre about to become the most scrutinized NFL quarterback since a guy named Tebow, you might want to lay just a bit low. Once youve proven youre Joe Namath on the field, you can act a little more like Joe Namath off it. But this was the first weekend after mini-camp. Theres going to be enough pressure on Manziel without giving people reason to believe he is really more about being Johnny Fratboy than Johnny Football. Steve Simmons, Sun Media - My thumb is up to George Springer, rookie outfielder with the Houston Astros and its not just because he hit seven home runs in seven straight games this week or because he became the first freshman to accomplish this in 77 years. Its up because of what happens almost every time Springer hits a home run. The Astros win and, if not, theyre in the game. The lousy, laughable, displaced Astros, the one team were suppposed to disregard in the American League, are suddenly not a laughingstock.dddddddddddd They have a 6-2 record when Springer hits a home run. Houstons not going to challenge for the playoffs or anything, but it may not lose 100 games for the first time in four seasons. And that, by itself, makes baseball better. Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated - My thumb is up, perversely, to Rory McIlroy, who is adept at going low. He opened the Memorial tournament with a 63 Thursday after doing a one-eighty earlier in the week on ex-fiancée Caroline Wozniacki. And by one-eighty, I dont mean just calling off their wedding. Reportedly, he broke up with the tennis star in 180 seconds, via telephone. A three-year-relationship ended by a three-minute call. Talk about going low. Well, it could have been worse. He could have texted her…and used an emoticon. A devastated Wozniacki lost her first-round match at the French Open while a buoyant McIlroy enters todays round in Ohio six shots off the pace. Dave Hodge, TSN - My thumb is down to the Boston Red Sox for making Major League Baseballs career leader in failed drug tests - Manny Ramirez - the star attraction at Fenway Parks celebration of the 2004 World Series championship team. The Red Sox explained that Manny was chosen to throw out the first pitch because he was the 04 World Series MVP, so, sure, that was one reason to pick him. Time does not permit me to list all the reasons not to pick him. ' ' '