Greg Goossen – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Greg Goossen’s baseball career really stands out as a wild ride through the major leagues in the late 1960s and early ’70s. Born in Los Angeles in 1945, he started out as a highly rated catcher and first baseman with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but soon ended up with the struggling New York Mets.

Goossen spent six seasons in Major League Baseball from 1965 to 1970, playing for the New York Mets, Seattle Pilots, Milwaukee Brewers, and Washington Senators before he retired at just 25. He finished with a .241 batting average, 13 home runs, and 44 RBIs, but those numbers only scratch the surface of his story. He experienced the buzz of being a six-figure bonus baby and, honestly, the tough reality of competing at the game’s highest level. Challenges? Yeah, there were plenty.

What really makes Goossen’s journey interesting? After baseball, he went from the diamond to Hollywood as Gene Hackman’s stand-in, and even stepped into the boxing world as a trainer. Bouncing through four organizations during baseball’s changing times, he saw firsthand how teams developed players and built rosters, and what it was like for prospects who just couldn’t quite stick as everyday big leaguers.

Greg Goossen’s Career Overview

Gregory Bryant Goossen played pro ball from 1965 to 1970. He debuted with the New York Mets at just 19, then wrapped things up with the Washington Senators. His path took him through three major league franchises, and though his career felt short, it left a mark.

Major League Baseball Debut

Greg Goossen broke into the majors on September 3, 1965, with the New York Mets. He was just a teenager—19—when he made it.

The Mets grabbed Goossen through the first-year waiver process on April 9, 1965, after the Dodgers had signed him for a pretty hefty bonus. That move gave the Mets, who were struggling at the time, a shot at a young prospect.

Mets manager Casey Stengel had a way with words, and he introduced Goossen with a line that stuck: “This is Greg Goossen. He’s 19 years old, and in 10 years . . . he’s got a chance to be 29.”

First Season Performance:

• Hit .290 in 11 games
• Shared catching duties with Chris Cannizzaro, Jesse Gonder, John Stephenson, and Yogi Berra
• Spent the rest of the year with single-A Auburn in the New York–Penn League

Key Teams Played For

Goossen bounced around three major league teams, finding his best seasons with different franchises.

New York Mets (1965-1968)

The Mets were Goossen’s main team for four years. He split his time between the majors and minors, playing 99 games in the bigs and 430 in the minors.

Maybe his most memorable moment came on May 31, 1968, when he broke up what could have been a perfect game by Cardinals pitcher Larry Jaster. Goossen singled with two outs in the eighth.

Seattle Pilots/Milwaukee Brewers (1969-1970)

On February 5, 1969, New York traded Goossen and cash to the Seattle Pilots for Jim Gosger. That trade finally gave Goossen a real shot at regular playing time.

He got called up on July 25, 1969, and platooned at first base with lefty Don Mincher. That year, he put up his best stats:

• .309 batting average
• 10 home runs
• 24 RBIs
• 139 at-bats in 52 games

Washington Senators (1970)

The Senators bought Goossen from Milwaukee on July 14, 1970. He played his last major league games under Hall of Famer Ted Williams, but his numbers dropped. He hit just .222, with no home runs and only one RBI.

Retirement from Baseball in 1970

Goossen played his final big league game on October 1, 1970, with the Washington Senators. That season just didn’t go his way—his production really fell off.

He started 1970 as Milwaukee’s first baseman, but struggled to a .255 average and just one homer in 21 games. The Brewers sent him down to AAA Portland, and then the Senators picked him up.

On November 3, 1970, Washington traded Goossen to the Philadelphia Phillies along with Gene Martin and Jeff Terpko for Curt Flood and a player to be named later. Goossen never played in the majors for Philly.

Final Professional Season:

He spent 1971 with AAA teams for the Phillies, Cubs, and Angels. He hung up his spikes after that season, at just 25.

Career Statistics:

• .241 batting average
• 13 home runs
• 44 RBIs
• 193 total games played

New York Mets Years

Goossen landed with the New York Mets in 1965 as a 19-year-old catcher, picked up off waivers from the Dodgers. His four seasons with the Mets, from 1965-1968, included some memorable moments—like breaking up a no-hitter and working with legends like Casey Stengel and Yogi Berra.

Joining the Mets

The Mets picked up Goossen off waivers from the Dodgers on April 9, 1965. The Dodgers had let him go after signing him as an amateur free agent in 1964.

Goossen earned his first big league call-up in September 1965 after smashing 25 home runs and hitting .305 in the New York/Penn League. At 19, he was one of the Mets’ top catching prospects.

The team saw him as a possible long-term answer behind the plate. Casey Stengel couldn’t resist joking: “There we have a fine young catcher who is only nineteen years old, in ten years he has the chance to be twenty-nine.”

Notable Games and Achievements

Goossen made his major league debut on September 3, 1965, in a 6-3 Mets win over St. Louis. He got a single off future Met Ray Sadecki in his first at-bat and ended with two hits.

He hit his first career home run on September 25, 1965, off Bo Belinsky in a 4-1 win over Philly. Goossen batted .290 in those eleven September games, which ended up being his best stretch with the Mets.

On September 18, 1966, he hit a three-run pinch-hit homer off Dave Giusti in the second game of a doubleheader at the Astrodome. That was his second and last home run as a Met.

The career-defining moment for Goossen with the Mets came on May 31, 1968. With two outs in the eighth, he broke up Larry Jaster’s no-hitter with a single to left. The Cardinals still won 2-0, but Goossen ruined the perfect game.

Managerial Impressions

Casey Stengel and the Mets initially saw Goossen as their best minor league prospect. Scouts liked his bat, but had doubts about his defense behind the plate.

Yogi Berra mentored Goossen during his Mets years, working on his defensive fundamentals. Yogi, in his classic style, once told him to take extra batting practice: “It’s cold today and besides, you can stand to lose the weight.”

Goossen caught 79 games in the majors, throwing out 21% of would-be base stealers and posting a .992 fielding percentage with five errors.

The Mets traded Goossen to the Seattle Pilots in February 1969 for cash and a player to be named later. That happened as Gil Hodges took over and the team started building toward the 1969 championship.

Seattle Pilots and Milwaukee Brewers Period

Greg Goossen finally found his groove with the Seattle Pilots in 1969, putting up career-high numbers in his only real shot at extended playing time. When the Pilots moved to Milwaukee, though, things just didn’t click for him anymore.

Trade to Seattle Pilots

The Mets traded Goossen to the Seattle Pilots on February 5, 1969, along with cash. The Pilots later sent Jim Gosger to the Mets on July 14 to finish the deal.

Goossen had spent four years bouncing between the majors and minors with the Mets. The move to Seattle gave him a fresh start with an expansion team desperate for experienced players.

The Pilots called him up on July 25, 1969. The timing couldn’t have been better for the 23-year-old.

Contributions as a First Baseman

Goossen found his spot at first base with the Pilots. He platooned there as the right-handed bat, splitting time with lefty Don Mincher.

His versatility helped the team. He played catcher, first base, and even left field. That flexibility made him a handy utility guy for manager Joe Schultz.

Goossen played in 52 games for the Pilots. He racked up 139 at-bats, more regular playing time than he’d ever had before.

Highlights and Home Runs

Goossen’s 1969 season with the Pilots was easily the best of his career. He hit .309, which was a franchise record. He knocked out 10 home runs and drove in 24 runs—both personal bests.

His slugging percentage soared to .597 that year. He ended up as one of the team’s top hitters.

When the Pilots moved and became the Milwaukee Brewers in 1970, Goossen’s numbers nosedived. He started the season at first base, but hit just .255 with one homer in 21 games.

The Brewers sent him to AAA Portland after that rough start. His time with the franchise ended when the Washington Senators picked up his contract on July 14, 1970.

Washington Senators Tenure and Final MLB Season

Greg Goossen closed out his career with the Washington Senators in 1970, playing for manager Ted Williams during his final season in the majors. His stint with the Senators was short but worth mentioning, especially since he became part of a big trade involving Curt Flood before stepping away from the game.

Joining the Senators

The Washington Senators bought Goossen from the Brewers on July 14, 1970. That mid-season move brought the veteran to a team struggling in the American League East.

He joined a roster led by the legendary Ted Williams. The Senators were having a rough year and finished 70-92, landing in sixth place.

At 24, Goossen brought experience from his days with the Mets, Pilots, and Brewers. His ability to play both catcher and first base made him a useful utility player for the Senators.

Performance in the 1970 Season

Goossen played in 21 games for Washington during the last part of 1970. He hit .222, picking up 8 hits in 36 at-bats, including 3 doubles.

If you combine his stats from Milwaukee and Washington that season, he played 42 games and batted .241. He managed 20 hits, 6 doubles, and 1 homer in 83 at-bats between the two clubs.

The Senators mainly used him as a backup catcher and sometimes at first base. He did his part on defense, helping out a pitching staff that, frankly, struggled all season, giving up 689 runs while the team scored 626.

Transition Out of Professional Baseball

After the 1970 season, Goossen found himself at the center of one of baseball’s most talked-about trades. On November 3, 1970, the Washington Senators sent him, Gene Martin, and Jeff Terpko to the Philadelphia Phillies for Curt Flood and a player to be named later.

This trade pretty much ended Goossen’s major league career. The deal drew attention because Curt Flood had famously challenged baseball’s reserve clause in court.

Goossen never put on a Phillies uniform. That trade basically closed the book on his six-year MLB run. His career stats? A .241 batting average, 13 home runs, and 44 RBIs over 193 games with four different teams.

After baseball, Goossen switched gears and started working as a stand-in actor in the American film industry. He lived until February 26, 2011, passing away at age 65.

Early Life and Minor League Development

Gregory Bryant Goossen was born on December 14, 1945, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in a family deeply rooted in law enforcement.

His athletic talent showed up early at Notre Dame High School. He stood out in both baseball and football before entering pro baseball’s minor leagues in 1964.

Family Background

Greg Goossen grew up in a big family with strong law enforcement ties. His father, Elliott “Al” Goossen, worked as a Los Angeles Police Department detective before moving into private investigation.

Al and Anna Mae Goossen raised ten kids, eight sons and two daughters. Growing up in such a big household probably made Greg even more competitive.

The Goossens lived in the Los Angeles area. Greg later attended high school there. His dad’s steady career in law enforcement brought the family some much-needed stability.

Notre Dame High School Achievements

Greg Goossen went to Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, where he really shined as a two-sport athlete. He graduated in 1964 after playing both baseball and football for all four years.

On the baseball field, Goossen’s hitting was something else. He hit .500 as a junior and followed up with a .447 average as a senior.

His football career was no less impressive. He played linebacker and center, earning All-Catholic League and All-CIF honors six times between both sports.

Major colleges lined up to recruit him—UCLA, USC, Stanford, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona State. USC even offered him a football scholarship, which says a lot about his versatility.

Minor Leagues and Early Promise

Instead of heading to college, Goossen signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1964 for a “sizable” five-figure bonus. Dodgers scout Ben Wade spotted Goossen and saw a lot of promise in the young catcher.

He made his pro debut with the Pioneer League Pocatello Chiefs in 1964. At just 18, Goossen hit .331 with 8 home runs and 34 RBIs in 29 games.

When Goossen moved up to the Class-A St. Petersburg Saints, things got tougher. His batting average dipped to .202 over 35 games, but he kept working on his game.

On April 9, 1965, the New York Mets grabbed Goossen in the waiver draft and paid $8,000 for him. That move set the stage for the next chapter of his career.

Post-Baseball Career and Legacy

After stepping away from pro baseball in 1970, Greg Goossen took his career in all sorts of directions. He worked as a private detective, stood in for Gene Hackman in Hollywood films, and managed boxers through his Ten Goose Professional Boxing company.

Film and Stand-In Acting Roles

Goossen found steady work in Hollywood as a stand-in and bit actor. He spent years as Gene Hackman’s stand-in, working on more than a dozen films in the 1980s and 1990s. Their physical resemblance made Goossen a natural fit for the job.

He picked up acting credits in some pretty big movies:

• Get Shorty (1995)
• Unforgiven (1992)
• The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
• The Package (1989)
• Class Action (1991)

Goossen ended up in almost 20 movies during his Hollywood stint. These weren’t just random indie projects—they were major studio films. His work gave him a steady paycheck and kept him close to Los Angeles, the city where he’d grown up.

Involvement with Ten Goose Professional Boxing

Goossen started Ten Goose Professional Boxing and took on the roles of boxing trainer and manager. This move let him stay in the world of pro sports, just not on the baseball field.

Through Ten Goose, Goossen managed several fighters. One of the most notable was Michael Nunn, a former middleweight champ. He also worked with Rick Lindland, an Olympic wrestler who later fought in mixed martial arts.

The company name, “Ten Goose,” was a playful nod to his own last name and helped set his brand apart in the boxing scene. Goossen’s background as a pro athlete gave him a real sense of what fighters go through, both mentally and physically. He managed to bring lessons from baseball into the boxing ring.

Lasting Impact and Remembrances

Goossen didn’t just stick to sports and film—he also worked as a private detective. Those investigative skills turned out to be pretty useful in that line of work.

He kept in touch with baseball through reunions and fan events. In 2009, he went to a 40-year reunion for the Seattle Pilots and told old teammates, “I was happy to be with the Seattle Pilots. I was happy to play in the major leagues.”

His most memorable baseball legacy might be his quotes in Jim Bouton‘s classic book “Ball Four.” The book captured Goossen’s humor and personality, making sure baseball fans wouldn’t forget him. His knack for laughing at himself and finding humor in tough times became part of his charm.

Statistical Profile and Records

Greg Goossen finished his major league career with a .241 batting average, 13 home runs, and 44 RBIs in 193 games from 1965 to 1970. His stats show some big differences between his National League and American League performances. His best year came in 1969 with the Seattle Pilots.

Batting and Fielding Statistics

Goossen’s numbers tell the story of a player who struggled to find consistency. He picked up 111 hits in 460 at-bats over six seasons, ending with a .241 average.

He hit 13 home runs, most of them during his time in the American League. The 1969 season with Seattle was his best—10 home runs in just 139 at-bats and a .309 average.

Goossen played several positions in the field. As a catcher, he handled 514 total chances and posted a .986 fielding percentage. At first base, he managed a .992 fielding percentage in 1968.

Position	Games	Fielding %	Notable Stats
Catcher	43	.986	4 passed balls, 30% CS rate
First Base	31	.992	18 double plays turned
Outfield	Various	–	Limited appearances

Retrosheet and Baseball References

Retrosheet offers detailed, game-by-game records of Goossen’s career. You can see how he performed against different teams and in various ballparks.

Baseball-Reference shows Goossen racked up 1.2 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) during his career. His top season was 1969, when he posted 2.2 WAR.

His OPS (On-base Plus Slugging) numbers swung wildly between leagues. He managed a .532 OPS in the National League, but in the American League, that number jumped to .875.

Early in his career, advanced stats show he struggled at the plate. His career OPS+ of 100 means he performed at about league average, taking ballpark factors into account.

Career Summary

Goossen played for three major league teams during his career. He joined the New York Mets from 1965 to 1968, spent 1969 with the Seattle Pilots, and then split 1970 between the Milwaukee Brewers and Washington Senators.

He struggled to find his groove with the Mets in the National League. Over 99 games, he picked up just 48 hits, managed 2 home runs, and finished with a .202 batting average.

Things started to look up in the American League. While playing for Seattle and Milwaukee, he hit .296 and knocked out 11 home runs in just 73 games. That jump in performance hinted at a potential that, honestly, never quite came together.

In his last season, 1970, his numbers dipped again. He split his time between Milwaukee and Washington and hit .241 with only 1 home run in 42 games before he retired at just 24.