Allgemeines » but the one thing he asked me to do was keep it

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. Dell Curry Jersey . Will Venable and Ryan Ludwick drove in a run each for the Padres, who have taken six of their last seven contests and clinched their third straight series win after winning the first two in this set. Clayton Richard (4-9) allowed five hits and a pair of runs over seven innings, while fanning five. Percy Miller Hornets Jersey . Tony Parker had 33 points and nine assists and San Antonio never trailed in a resounding 116-92 victory over Portland, bullying the younger Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. http://www.hornetsteamproshop.com/Cheap-Malik-Monk-Hornets-Jersey/ . -- Omar Infante walked past the visiting clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium, where he dressed so many times as a member of the Detroit Tigers, and slipped on a crisp, new Kansas City Royals jersey. Custom Charlotte Hornets Jerseys . The premature end left 26 players still to finish the round in the Asian Tour event. Siddikur, who shot a bogey-free first round to share the lead with five others, eagled the par-5 first hole before bogeying twice and rebounding with six birdies. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Hornets Jersey . -- Washingtons Bradley Beal seemed to make every shot he took in setting a career high with 37 points.GLENEAGLES, Scotland - The secret is out a€” Alex Ferguson will deliver a motivational speech to the Europe team ahead of the Ryder Cup in his native Scotland.Europe captain Paul McGinley had been hoping to keep Fergusons identity under wraps so it would come as a surprise to his players.But the former Manchester United manager was spotted walking the grounds of Gleneagles early Tuesday a€” and McGinley could not keep the secret any longer.When I became captain, for a number of reasons, I asked him, said McGinley, who recalled playing with Ferguson in a pro-am about 15 years ago.Of course he was willing to help, but the one thing he asked me to do was keep it really quiet. And walking around ... is not keeping it quiet, is it, when hes onsite.Ferguson retired as United manager last year after more than 26 seasons at Old Trafford, during which he wwon 38 major trophies.ddddddddddddWidely regarded as the greatest British football coach, he is also known for his temper and for delivering what became known as the hairdryer treatment to his players when he was unhappy at their performances.This is not about him being a headmaster and coming in and preaching to them, McGinley said. This is about fun.The news is likely to be welcomed by Rory McIlroy, the world No. 1 and a big United fan.George W. Bush spoke to the American team on the Saturday night during the Ryder Cup at Brookline in 1999 a€” the year before he was elected president. During the speech, Bush read William Barret Travis letter from a besieged Alamo with the powerful kicker: Victory or death.The U.S. team came from 10-6 down at the start of Sundays singles matches to regain the cup that year, winning 14 1/2-13 1/2. ' ' '