Gossage takes tour of Hall

Rich Gossage isn’t so tough anymore.

The grit the Goose personified on the mound as a fearsome relief pitcher in a 21-year major league career was long gone Monday as he toured baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., and pondered his induction on July 27.

“It’s more mind-boggling than I ever imagined,” Gossage said. “You just can’t comprehend it. I can’t even really comprehend my career. I just can’t believe that a kid from Colorado, just a big fan of the game, is here. It’s totally overwhelming.”

After being passed over eight times by the voters, the 56-year-old Gossage was elected in January, becoming only the fifth reliever to receive baseball’s highest honor. He follows Hoyt Wilhelm (1985), Rollie Fingers (1992), Dennis Eckersley (2004) and Bruce Sutter (2006).

Sandberg suspended

Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg was suspended for three games as manager of the Midwest League’s Peoria, Ill., Chiefs for his role in bench-clearing incident last week.

Sandberg, in his second season as Peoria manager, began the suspension Saturday night and was to complete the penalty Monday night at home. He also was suspended for two games on May 13 last year for bumping an umpire during a game at Fort Wayne

The Peoria Journal Star reported Sandberg confronted Clinton manager Mike Micucci between the sixth and seventh innings of Peoria’s 7-3 loss Thursday. Sandberg apparently was upset because a Clinton player tried to bunt in the sixth inning with a 6-0 lead. Sandberg was ejected for the third time this season.

Rodriguez not ready

Alex Rodriguez’s strained right quadriceps will keep him from playing this week, causing him to miss this weekend’s series against the rival New York Mets.

“It’s still not where it needs to be. I don’t see him playing this week,” New York manager Joe Girardi said before the Yankees’ game against Tampa Bay.

Clearing the bases

Atlanta ace John Smoltz is throwing again and hopes his injured rotator cuff heals enough to let him move into the Braves bullpen later this month. Smoltz threw 45 pitches from 60 feet at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, a day after throwing 25 pitches from about 40 feet. … Dodgers’ shortstop Rafael Furcal (lower back strain) will be placed on the 15-day disabled list today. … Infielder Edgar Gonzalez joined his younger brother, Adrian, on the San Diego Padres when they purchased his contract from Triple-A Portland.