The upcoming Preakness Stakes will not only feature top-tier equine talent but also carry with it the heartfelt dreams of an 82-year-old Michigan man who once patrolled the outfields of Major League Baseball. Jim Gosger, a name known primarily to baseball historians and die-hard fans, now finds himself emotionally invested in a gray colt that shares his surname and is set to compete in one of racing’s biggest events.
Jim Gosger’s journey through professional baseball spanned the 1960s and 70s, taking him through six franchises, including the Boston Red Sox and the New York Mets. Though he never found stardom on the field, his path intersected with history on several occasions—perhaps most memorably as the final batter to face the legendary Satchel Paige in a Major League game. Yet despite a modest career batting average and limited playing time, simply making it to the majors was a source of pride for Gosger, who still lives in the Port Huron home he grew up in.
The story of how a Triple Crown contender came to be named “Gosger” is a tale of coincidence and connection. Donna Clarke, whose family owns the horse, is a lifelong Mets enthusiast. A Facebook friendship between Clarke and Jim Gosger blossomed over the years, built on shared admiration and warm correspondence. When the family was looking for a name for their promising colt, Donna suggested honoring her online friend—someone she viewed as a genuinely kind and humble man. Her son originally planned to name the horse after another former Met, Ken Boswell, but that name was already in use. The choice to go with “Gosger” turned out to be a perfect fit.
Gosger the colt had a quiet beginning to his career but broke through with a notable victory in the Lexington Stakes, earning his place in the Preakness field. Upon learning that the horse would indeed be running in the second jewel of the Triple Crown, the real Jim Gosger was overcome with joy. Though health issues and a house full of pets have kept him from traveling to Baltimore, he plans to cheer on his namesake from home, surrounded by close friends.
The emotional weight of this moment is especially significant for Gosger, who has experienced both triumph and frustration during and after his baseball career. After playing a small role with the Mets in 1969, he received no World Series ring, and decades later, he was mistakenly listed as deceased during an anniversary tribute. Despite those setbacks, the connection he now shares with the Clarke family’s colt has brought new excitement to his life.
For Donna Clarke, the decision to name the horse after Jim Gosger was about more than just baseball trivia. It was about honoring a man who left a lasting impression on her with his decency and warmth—qualities that transcend statistics or highlight reels.
As the Preakness draws near, both horse and man will share a spotlight neither could have imagined. Whether or not the colt crosses the finish line first, the race has already become a deeply personal victory for a former ballplayer who never expected to be remembered this way.
