Dwight Eugene “Doc” Gooden (born November 16, 1964), also nicknamed “Dr. K”…. is an American former professional baseball pitcher….who played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets from 1984 to 1994…..and from 1996 to 2000 for the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. In a career spanning 430 games, he pitched 2,8002⁄3 innings and posted a win–loss record of 194–112….with a 3.51 earned run average (ERA)….and 2,293 strikeouts.
Gooden made his MLB debut in 1984 for the Mets….and quickly established himself as one of the league’s most talented pitchers….whereby as a 19-year-old rookie….he earned the first of four All-Star selections…. won the National League (NL) Rookie of the Year Award….and led the league in strikeouts….then in 1985, he won the NL Cy Young Award….and achieved the pitching Triple Crown by compiling a 24–4 record….with a league-leading 1.53 ERA…..plus 268 strikeouts….and 16 complete games. The following season, he helped the Mets win the 1986 World Series. Gooden remained an effective pitcher in subsequent years….but his career was ultimately derailed by cocaine and alcohol addiction. After posting a losing record in each season from 1992 to 1994….Gooden was suspended for the 1995 season after testing positive while serving a prior suspension….then as a member of the 1996 NY Yankees, Gooden pitched a no-hitter….and helped the team on its path to a World Series championship. He pitched four additional years for as many teams….but never approached the success of his peak years with his Mets. In 2010, Gooden was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame.
