Greg Goossen

Gregory Bryant Goossen

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 210 lb.
• High School Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks)
• Debut September 3, 1965
• Final Game October 1, 1970
• Born December 14, 1945 in Los Angeles, CA USA
• Died February 26, 2011 in Sherman Oaks, CA USA

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Biographical Information

Greg Goossen played part of six seasons in the majors.

After graduating from Notre Dame High School in 1964, Goossen was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Originally a catcher, he was selected off waivers by the New York Mets the following spring. He spent most of the 1965 campaign with the Auburn Mets, for whom he hit .305 with 24 home runs, before earning a September call-up and making his debut with the Mets on September 3rd. Over four years with New York, he appeared in 99 games, and during his time with the club, he was converted to a first baseman.

Goossen was traded to the expansion Seattle Pilots prior to the 1969 season. He began the year with the AAA Vancouver Mounties and hit .298 with 18 homers for the team before coming back up to the majors in late July. In his first game with the club, facing the Boston Red Sox on July 25th, he went 3-for-4 with a solo homer. In 52 games for Seattle, he hit .309 with 10 home runs. The Pilots moved and became the Milwaukee Brewers in 1970, but he played sparingly and was sold to the Washington Senators in mid-season. Following that year, he was dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies, but he never returned to the majors.

After baseball, Goossen worked as a boxing trainer along with his brother, who is well known in boxing circles. He also worked as Gene Hackman's stand-in and assistant in many of his movies. He appeared in movies such as Behind Enemy Lines, Get Shorty and Mr. Baseball.

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) shows him with 18 acting credits and one stunt credit.

Related Sites

• Greg Goossen at the SABR Bio Project
• Interview of Goossen from the makers of "The Seattle Pilots: Short Flight Into History"
• Article about Goossen