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Rich Gossage and Brandon Lowe seemingly have little in common.
Gossage was one of baseball’s most feared relief pitchers: a big, glowering hard-thrower with a Fu Manchu mustache. The Goose overpowered hitters on his way to eventual Hall of Fame induction.
Lowe is a slightly built second baseman who generates surprising power from his small frame. Lowe is a two-time All-Star with a fine nine-year career, but it is highly unlikely he will ever be immortalized alongside Gossage in Cooperstown.
Still, Gossage and Lowe likely have one thing in common. They will be two of the best players ever who played one season with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Lowe becomes a free agent five days after the World Series. He has likely priced himself out of the cost-conscious Pirates’ range following an outstanding 2026 season.
Gossage did the same thing in 1977. Acquired from the Chicago White Sox the previous winter, Gossage had what he called the best season of his 22-year career, which spanned from 1972-94
Gossage went 11-9 with 26 saves and a 1.62 ERA in 72 games and 133 innings. Yes, he pitched 133 innings. It was a different game then.
However, the Pirates did not try to re-sign Gossage when he became a free agent that winter. Then-general manager Harding Peterson could not afford Gossage, and the Pirates also had Kent Tekulve, who still holds the franchise all-time saves record with 158.
Gossage signed a six-year, $3.6-million contract with the New York Yankees. Not $360 million. Again, it was a different game nearly 50 years ago.
The most interesting part of Gossage’s season happened the day after it ended. Gossage met with Peterson and was informed he wasn’t coming back. The big, intimidating reliever was reduced to tears while he cleaned out his locker at Three Rivers Stadium.
Gossage told me this story a few years back, and it still made him melancholy as he recalled sitting in the inner circle parking lot at Three Rivers.
“I sat there and cried my eyes out,” Gossage said. “I don’t think I’ve ever cried so hard before or since. It was one of the toughest moments of my career.”
The Pirates say they would like to re-sign Lowe, and they should. Lowe had the best offensive season by a second baseman in franchise history, leading the team with 35 home runs and 96 RBIs after the Pirates acquired him from the Tampa Bay Rays in a trade last December.
Lowe was a driving force behind the Pirates going from last in the major league in runs scored in 2025 to sixth in 2026.
However, it is hard to see Lowe and the Pirates lining up on a contract. At 32, this is his last chance to get a big payday, and it would not be beyond question to think Lowe will seek a contract in the range of four years and $80 million.
Lowe will enter the decline phase of his career sometime in the next few years. It is hard to imagine the Pirates taking a gamble that could mean paying $20 million to what might be a below-average 36-year-old player.
Lowe repeatedly said how much he enjoyed playing in Pittsburgh throughout the season, and his wife made a heartfelt social media post last week thanking Pirates fans for their hospitality. Yet it seems doubtful Lowe will be reduced to tears if he doesn’t re-sign with the Pirates.
On the other hand, Lowe’s departure might prompt a tear from a fan base that always seems to wind up disappointed.
Mentioned in this article:Brandon Lowe Pittsburgh Pirates
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