The St. Paul Saints and Hall of Fame major league pitcher Goose Gossage are teaming up to help address the unwritten rules of baseball.
The first 1,500 fans in attendance at CHS Field on July 6 will receive "the first of its kind" 2016 Official Baseball Unwritten Rulebook and have the opportunity for Gossage to sign it and explain his opinions.
The promotion is intended to help answer the question of what on-field actions go against the game's unwritten code? For example, bat-flips, staring at a home run too long, and breaking a bat after striking out will likely be addressed.
There is a catch. Sean Aronson, Saints director of media relations and broadcasting, said the unwritten rulebook is full of blank pages because no one actually knows or can agree on what these rules are. Fans are encouraged to fill the pages with an autograph from Gossage and their own opinions.
Here is the Saints explanation:
The 2016 Official Baseball Unwritten Rulebook will be similar in size [to the Official Rulebook] with fewer pages and, by the end of the night; it will be packed with information that addresses baseball situations that have been hotly debated for decades. Wondering about the superstition of discussing a no-hitter? It can be in the book. What about stealing a base when you're up 10 runs? It can be in the book. What about bunting on a pitcher throwing a no-hitter? All you have to do is flip open the book, grab a pencil and the answer can appear right before your eyes.
"We are thrilled to have Hall of Famer Goose Gossage join us here at CHS Field for the Unwritten Rulebook promotion next week," Saints executive VP/GM Derek Sharrer said. "His status as an all-time great and his outspoken opinions about the way the game should be played make him a perfect fit for this fun night at the ballpark."
Gossage is known as a baseball purist and isn't shy about sharing his opinion on showboating. He ripped Blue Jays star Jose Bautista for flipping his bat during last year's postseason, has referred to supporters of baseball analytics as nerds, and said Bryce Harper has no respect for the game.
"I can't stand to watch this game, the way it's changed and the way guys act," Gossage told ESPN radio in Chicago. "If I see one more pie in somebody's face, I'm gonna break my TV."
The Saints hope Gossage offers a few more one-liners to help fans fill up their books next week.
