Jan. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Rich ``Goose'' Gossage, elected yesterday to baseball's Hall of Fame, said he would have considered using steroids to help his career if given the opportunity.

``Chances are I probably would have done it, too,'' Gossage told reporters today after a press conference on his election to the baseball shrine.

Gossage said his competitive drive and free spirit, along with the possibility of extending his career and earning more money, may have led him to use the performance-enhancing substance. The reliever saved 310 games over a 22-year career that ended in 1994, before steroid use became more prevalent in Major League Baseball as detailed in a report last month by former Senator George Mitchell.

Gossage continued to encourage players who have taken banned drugs to confess to protect the integrity of the game. Barry Bonds, baseball's career and single-season home-run leader, and Roger Clemens, with a record seven Cy Young Awards and 354 career wins, are defending themselves against accusations they used steroids.

``These records that are at stake are the crux of the problem that we have,'' Gossage said. ``The records can't stand. There is just too much at stake here with the history of the game.''

Mitchell named more than 80 players in his December report chronicling the sport's history with steroids. U.S. lawmakers have asked Mitchell, Commissioner Bud Selig and union leader Don Fehr to testify next week on drug use in the sport. Pitchers Clemens and Andy Pettitte, who were mentioned in the report, also were asked to testify.

Bonds, Clemens Snubs

Gossage said he didn't think that the baseball writers would elect Bonds or Clemens into the Hall of Fame because they didn't reach their achievements on a level playing field.

Mark McGwire, the only eligible player with more than 500 home runs who isn't in the Hall of Fame, also is surrounded by suspicions he used steroids. McGwire, who has 583 career home runs, was rejected for the second straight year in his bid for the hall.

``The best thing that could happen in the sport is these guys come clean and life will go on and we will get this behind us as far as baseball is concerned,'' Gossage said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Danielle Sessa in New York at dsessa@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: January 9, 2008 14:49 EST