Fake Goose Gossage headline from The Record actually said by an "AL scout"

The headline of this article is an attention-grabber. It invokes great authority by claiming a "Hall of Famer" said it. If the headline were true and borne out in the article, it would generate a lot of controversy. Among other things, it would be in poor taste at this point in time. All the elements needed to sell newspapers or generate readership.

• But the headline, "Hall of Fame Relief Pitcher says make Joba a Closer," is not true. In the article Gossage is quoted saying Joba should be a "reliever"--he never even alludes to his being a "closer."

The "closer" reference comes later in the article, attributed to an AL scout.

• Pete Caldera of the Record will continue as an international media celebrity and is a past president of the New York chapter of the BBWAA.

It's often the case that writers don't create headlines for their articles. If that's so in this case, and if Caldera has any self respect, he should quit his job for having his reporting used for dishonest purposes. If this kind of thing is commonplace, obviously he should find a different line of work.

• Reference article by Pete Caldera of The Record, published in Omaha World-Herald, Omaha.com, 3/13/08, "Hall of Fame Relief Pitcher Says Make Joba a Closer."

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