- Rich Gossage was signed by the New York Yankees after the 1977 season. This must be an airbrush job -- Topps wouldn't have been able to get a picture of the Goose in a Yankee uniform before the 1978 season. This might be Gossage pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates in Veterans Stadium.
- Rich had a great season for the Yankees, leading the AL with 27 saves. He had a tough time at first -- at the end of April Gossage was 1-3 and didn't have a save.
- Rich pitched in the All Star Game but took the loss as he was roughed up for four runs in the 9th inning.
- 1978 Stats:
- Regular Season: 10-11, 27 saves, 2.01 ERA in 63 games
- AL Championship Series: 1-0, 1 save, 4.50 ERA in 2 games
- World Series: 1-0, 0.00 ERA in 3 games
- Highlights:
- May 7 - Didn't allow a run in four innings pitched and saved the game as the Yankees beat the Texas Rangers 3-2.
- Sept 21 - Pitched three scoreless innings and got the save in New York's 7-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays
- Oct 7 - Shut out the Kansas City Royals in the 9th inning, earning the save and clinching the AL Championship Series for the Yankees.
