Doc was the most dominant pitcher I ever saw when he was in his prime. I grew up a Mets fan in NY in the 80s and saw almost every game he pitched. I remember his first game in Houston with his father in the stands at the Astrodome. He was hall of fame dominant and was a complete game machine.
I am 53 and I remember watching Gooden play what a great pitcher he was , been a mets fan since I was 9 years old , people don't know how great he was ,he was great
This man made kids from black communities start watching and playing baseball “ Always love and respect for Doc gooden “ we all go through things in life and he’s strong enough to go through and still be here healthy “ god bless the doctor “ I Remember Doc had a rap song matter of fact Doc was the first athlete with a rap song and rocking 2 open face gold teeth in the front with a big chain “ Gotta love it “
Doc Gooden and that whole '86 team were mostly legends. I was a sophomore in HS in the Tampa area and I remember the unfortunate arrest. Also watched him pitch on TV all the time.
Im shocked Gooden didnt mentioned it but wheb he signed with the Mets he also had a a clause put in that the Mets would have to pay for him to pay to go college if he ever wanted to.
Gooden in 84 & 85 was virtually unhittable. Fastball exploded up high and 12 to 6 curve was ridiculous. What he and Strawberry did to themselves was tragic, both of them were surefire first ballot HOF's.
“The G.O.A.T “ The youngest pitcher to win cy young till this day “ they’ll never be a young black pitcher to do what Doc has done for the game “ God Bless The Legend “ Dr.K Dwight Gooden “ Can’t wait to see a movie on Doc’
Man as a Dodger fan I hated Doc growing up because I can remember a time or 2 he had me in tears for what he did to my favorite players lol but I would not have complained if prime Doc was on my team
1986 minimum wage was $3.35 or 7K/year. 40K per year was like getting $20.00/hr or 3x minimum wage. 3 X Minimum wage today would be $60/hr or 120K per year. So he got paid a working class wage. 1986 MLB Rookie Salary 60K and Average Big Leaguer Salary$ 412K YR 2024 MLB Rookie $740K Ave. Big Leaguer $4.98MM . Most young players are just happy for a plane ticket and opportunity. It's a huge accomplishment to get drafted to the minors. But reality sets in like Dwight explained and rookie ball salary you end up starving to play baseball.
This was baseballs version of LeBron talent wise. However, this is a cautionary tale regarding erasing those demons before the fame and money comes. The Demons caught up. His first 3-4 years were just phenomenal.
A real legend. But he has that same thing I've seen on Jimmie Walker where they get these big old guts but the fat don't go to their face. It's kind of a weird look. It makes them look like swollen rats. Maybe the tightness and positioning of his pants, along with the banlon like fabric with him being scrunched into that seat is making it look worse than it is.
