Gossage, Williams represent throwback era at Hall induction

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Rich "Goose" Gossage and Dick Williams, one playing and the othermanaging in an era where hatred was real and intimidation was avital part of the game, aren't sure they could have made it intoday's era.
"There's way too much fraternization today," said Gossage, whosaved 310 games. "You see all of these guys hugging and lovingaround the cage. I did not want to know a hitter. I was a mean sonof a gun.
"I would have scared myself out there. You scare people today, andyou get kicked out of the game. I wouldn't have a salary left. I'djust give it to the league."
Williams, one of only two managers to lead two different teams tothe World Series, never cared who liked him or didn't. He was ano-nonsense manager, who quickly changed the attitude on the BostonRed Sox, and led them to the American League pennant in 1967. Hebelieves players are pampered today and teams should revert back tofour-man rotations.
"I don't like five-man rotations," Williams said. "Never have.Never will."
Gossage, whose career spanned all eight work stoppages, recalledthe night of the first work stoppage in 1972 when he didn't haveenough money for a hotel room, and slept on the street in Chicago.
Williams reminisced about the time he signed a three-year contractto manage the Yankees after the 1973 season, but lasted only threeweeks when the Yankees were unwilling to pay compensation toOakland. Now, it's only fitting they are inducted into the Hall ofFame the same day.
"This is the most overwhelming thing really that ever happened tome," said Gossage. "Around every turn, I'm pinching myself and justtrying to make sense of all of this."