in retirement, gomez became a sought-after dinner speaker known for his humorous anecdotes about his playing days and the personalities he knew. he was a bit of a screwball, nicknamed "el goofo" or "goofy gomez" (a likewise-alliterative counterpart to his contemporary, dizzy dean), and delighted in playing practical jokes on everyone from teammates to umpires. on february 2, 1972, the veterans committee unanimously inducted gomez into the national baseball hall of fame, along with giants outfielder ross youngs and former american league president will harridge. the committee noted that lefty pitched in seven world series games with no losses and five wins. wearing a yankee cap, gomez became the second player of hispanic descent to be inducted.