Dwight Gooden was drafted by the New York Mets in the 1st round with the 5th pick in the 1982 MLB draft. Gooden made his MLB debut in 1984.
New York Mets
In Gooden’s rookie season, he quickly established himself as one of the best pitchers in the league. As a rookie, Gooden won 17 games, with ERA 2.60. Also, he had 276 strikeouts and won the National League Rookie of the Year award. The former Mets Star made the All-Star team as a rookie as well.
In 1985 Gooden followed his rookie season with an outstanding season. He went 24-4, with a league-leading 1.53 ERA, 268 strikeouts, and 16 complete games. Gooden was masterful n 1985, one of the best seasons a pitcher ever put together. The masterful season led Gooden to win the NL Cy Young award.
In 1986, Dwight Gooden helped the New York Mets win the 1986 World Series title. He had a record of 17-6 and 2.84 ERA. Gooden stayed pretty consistent with the Mets after the 1986 season. In 11 seasons with the Mets, Gooden went 157-85 with a 3.10 ERA, and 1,875 strikeouts.
When 1995 came around, Gooden was suspended from baseball for having a positive drug test. He had off and on drug and alcohol problem throughout his career. When he came back from suspension in 1996, the New York Yankees gave Gooden a chance.
New York Yankees
In Gooden first season with the New York Yankees, he went 11-7 with 5.01 ERA. His ERA was high but got his wins from a good hitting Yankees team giving Gooden run support. Also in 1996, Gooden threw a no-hitter as a member of the Yankees. Gooden pitched two seasons with the Yankees earning another World Series ring.
The End
After the 1997 season, Gooden pitched for Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and finished his career with the Yankees in 2000.
The former Yankee pitcher finished his career with a 192-112 record, 3.51 ERA, 2,293 strikeouts, and 68 complete games. Also, Gooden was a 4-time All-Star, won Rookie of the Year, NL Cy Young, and two World Series rings. Although Gooden’s career numbers are pretty good, they could have been much better. If Gooden did not battle with drug and alcohol addiction, his stats could have been off the charts.
