Goose gets loose at Little League World Series

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.—Hall of Fame membership has its privileges for Rich "Goose" Gossage.

The reliever known for his menacing stare on the mound sounded downright giddy being at the Little League World Series.

"To be here is really, really cool," Gossage said Friday before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch of the tournament, when fans serenaded him with the familiar "Goooose" chant.

"Getting into the Hall of Fame has allowed me to do some really cool things, and this is one of them."

Gossage's first visit to the Little League complex came more than two weeks after his Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, N.Y. He received the star treatment this week, including serving as grand marshal for the Little League parade down "Millionaire's Row" in Williamsport.

Gossage turned into one of the game's most dominant relievers in his 22 seasons in the big leagues, pitching in three World Series and saving 310 games.

Yet for all those pressure situations, Gossage said just walking into the Little League complex made him nervous.

"I asked a couple of the kids, 'Are you nervous?' They said, 'No.' I said, 'How can you not be nervous?' ... These are tougher kids, I don't know," he said.

"What really is the most important thing of Little League baseball is the innocence of it."

The 57-year-old Gossage has his own fond memories of playing baseball as a boy growing up in Colorado Springs, Colo. He pitched a no-hitter in a championship game when he was either 11 or 12 years old, he said.

He's also yet to come down from the high of his Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

"It's been an amazing ride," he said. "I can't put it into words."

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NO CHEATING:@ Little Leaguers this year have pledged not to cheat, and they are wearing that sentiment on their sleeves.

A bright yellow patch on each Little Leaguer's sleeve reads, "I WON'T CHEAT." It's part of a program started by former major league slugger Dale Murphy.

The slogan for the foundation that goes by the same name is "Injecting Ethics into America's Future."

"Do your best on and off the field. Do not take shortcuts," Murphy told Little Leaguers during the sun-splashed opening ceremonies on Friday. "Pledge not to cheat in sports, in life and in school."

Four players from different corners of the world recited the "I won't cheat" pledge in their own languages from the mound.

Murphy, a two-time National League MVP, was known just as much for his modesty and clean-cut lifestyle as his hitting prowess. He had 398 home runs, 2,111 hits and 1,266 RBIs in 18 seasons, primarily with the Atlanta Braves.

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TWIN THREATS:@ Gossage and Murphy weren't the only former major leaguers in attendance at the Little League World Series.

Wearing a bright yellow Florida shirt, former big leaguer Lance McCullers cheered on his twin boys from the stands during Tampa's series-opening game Friday afternoon against Rapid City, S.D.

McCullers pitched in parts of seven major-league seasons, compiling a career 28-31 record, 39 saves and a 3.25 ERA with the Padres, Yankees, Rangers and Tigers.

On Friday, he was just a proud father.

"It's great, something you dream about. Something I've dreamed about since when I was a kid," said McCullers, 44.

His 13-year-old twins Austin and Ryan are key members of the Citrus Park Little League team out of Tampa that advanced to series as the Southeast Region champs. While McCullers isn't on the coaching staff, he helps out with the team's pitchers.

It's bringing back memories of his own days on the mound. He never pitched in the World Series in the majors, though he said he did pitch in a Pony League championship game when he was 14.