Fans of the New York Mets, who have plenty of moments they would like to forget, were reminded of a player worth cherishing last weekend.
The Mets officially retired former starting pitcher Dwight “Doc” Gooden’s number 16 on Sunday afternoon, cementing the ace’s place in franchise history. Despite past drug issues and arrests, “Dr. K” finally returned home to the team that drafted him in 1984.
“The moral of the story is everything’s about timing,” Gooden said during his speech in front of the Citi Field crowd on Sunday. “Now, today, the time is right. My health is good, my mental health is good and today I get to retire as a Met. And I want all you guys to know, you guys are part of this. Thank you so much.”
Gooden pitched for 11 years with the Mets. He was the 1984 National League Rookie of the Year and 1985 National League Cy Young Award winner. His ’85 campaign is remembered as one of the best seasons a pitcher has ever put together. Gooden posted a 1.53 ERA across 276.2 innings that season and quickly became a must-see talent.
The Tampa, Fla., native was also integral to New York’s infamous 1986 World Championship team.
“Doc” recorded a 3.10 ERA and 1,875 strikeouts as a Met but was suspended from June 1994 through the 1995 season, then signed with the crosstown New York Yankees. Fans jokingly booed when Gooden mentioned his time with the Bombers, and the doctor knew exactly what to say in response.
“I’m always a Met,” Gooden said.
The four-time All-Star briefly mentioned his time with the Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays, but mainly spoke about how he yearned to return to Flushing in between each stop.
“I wanted to come back and finish my career [with the Mets] and said I’d go to Triple-A and do whatever it takes,’’ Gooden said. “They said there was no room, so I signed back with the Yankees and won a World Series.”
Gooden officially retired in 2001 after spending the latter part of 2000 with the Yankees. Since then, he’s dealt with several legal and drug-related problems, but has seemingly turned a corner over the past few years.
Gooden is only the ninth Met to have his number retired and the second Met from the 1986 team to receive such an honor.
“The fans stuck with me through everything,’’ Gooden said Sunday before his number retirement ceremony at Citi Field. “After ’94, when the Mets cut ties with me, I always wanted to come back here.”
