He was one of the best relief pitchers of all time. Goose Gossage was a nine-time all-star that saved 310 games, appeared in four World Series, and led the league in saves three times. The Cubs had personally tasted the fury of his fastball when he finished them off in the 1984 NLCS. On the other hand, he was coming off an injury plagued 11-save season for the Padres in 1987.

The Cubs knew he was getting up there in years, but they needed a closer badly for the 1988 season. Gossage was brought in to replace one of the best closers in Cubs history (Lee Smith--traded the season before). He didn't come cheaply, however. In order to get the Goose, which everyone knew was an iffy proposition going into the 1988 season, the Cubs were forced to give up one of their most consistent hitters to San Diego: Keith Moreland (along with infielder Mike Brumley).

And predictably, after a Hall of Fame career with the White Sox, Pirates, Yankees and Padres, the Goose was indeed cooked when he joined the Cubs. He was part of a 1988 Cubs bullpen that blew 27 saves in 56 chances, among the worst save percentages in major league history.