The Uncommon Emergence of Mets’ Dwight Gooden, a Rare Pitching Phenomenon

The emergence of Dwight Gooden, known as “Doc,” is a story that seems almost too incredible to believe. Gooden was a pitching prodigy, the kind that only comes around once every few decades. Even today, we celebrate young phenoms who make it to the major leagues at the age of 20, but Gooden had already accomplished incredible feats by that age.

As a teenager, Gooden led the league in strikeouts with an impressive 276. By the time he reached 20 years old, he had risen to become the best player in the big leagues. In 1985, Gooden topped the majors with a 9.7 WAR, tying him with Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson. He finished the season with a record of 24-4 and an ERA of 1.53. His dominance was unparalleled, making him a phenomenon unlike anything New York had ever seen before.

To find a 20-year-old in New York who was even a great All-Star, you would have to go back more than 70 years to Mickey Mantle in 1952. Gooden was not just an All-Star; he was an all-time great. His outings were events that fans couldn’t afford to miss.

Even Gooden’s former rotation mate and current broadcaster Ron Darling couldn’t believe what he was witnessing. Darling recalled charting the previous night’s pitcher and realizing that Gooden’s performances were on another level entirely. He compared it to watching a Little League game where one player was so superior to everyone else that no one had a chance against him. Gooden was bigger, stronger, and better than anyone he had ever seen.

What made Gooden’s emergence even more uncommon was the time in which it happened. When he made his major league debut at 19 years old, it was unusual for players to skip the usual progression through the minor leagues. Manager Davey Johnson recognized Gooden’s talent and insisted that he was ready for the big leagues. The teams and media members were not as dedicated to the minors back then, so Gooden’s talent went largely unnoticed until he made it to the Mets.

Gooden’s first two years in the majors were historic. Darling described them as the best first two years anyone has ever had. However, Gooden’s career took a turn for the worse due to off-the-field issues. He acknowledges that these issues prevented him from reaching Hall of Fame status and becoming an all-time great.

Despite his struggles, Gooden remains in a good place today. He has overcome his addiction and is living a middle-class life on Long Island. He is a loving family man with seven children and eight grandchildren. Gooden has forgiven himself for missing the 1986 World Series parade and is grateful for the accomplishments he did achieve throughout his career.

In the end, Gooden’s emergence as a rare pitching phenomenon was a sight to behold. His performances on the field captivated fans and his struggles off the field served as a reminder of the challenges that athletes face. Gooden’s story is one of redemption and finding peace in a life well-lived. Despite the ups and downs, Gooden’s incredible talent and accomplishments will always be remembered.