Jake Peavy takes the morning game today. At the same time, two of the more influential, but less memorialized former Padres enter the Hall of Fame today in the form of Goose Gossage and Dick Williams. Padres memories will once again abound at the Hall of Fame Induction ceremony this year. Dick Williams managed Goose while they were both with the Padres in the WS year of '84. Great USA Today article on the two.
Gossage, pitching for the San Diego Padres, was ordered by manager Dick Williams to intentionally walk Gibson in Game 5 of the World Series. The Tigers, leading 5-4 in the eighth inning, had runners on second and third when Gibson stepped to the plate. Gossage ignored the intentional walk sign, and when Williams came out, Gossage convinced him he could retire Gibson.
Two pitches later, Gibson homered into the right-field upper deck, giving the Tigers an 8-4 lead, sealing the Tigers' World Series title.
A Padres closer that couldn't seal the deal in a big game? A Padres manager that was ineffective in getting his players to perform? How things change. How they stay the same.
All kidding aside. Congratulations Goose and Dick! More Padres lore enters the Hall.
GO PADRES!!