Dwight Gooden, the former New York Mets pitcher, was honored by the team with the retirement of his No. 16 jersey at Citi Field. Gooden, a four-time All-Star, expressed his gratitude to the fans and recounted his career in Queens, which was marred by struggles with drugs and alcohol. Despite his desire to stay with the Mets, he ultimately signed with the New York Yankees in 1996.
During the ceremony, Gooden acknowledged his deep connection to the Mets, despite his brief stint with their crosstown rivals. His No. 16 jersey was unveiled alongside other Mets legends, including Gil Hodges, Keith Hernandez, Willie Mays, Mike Piazza, Jerry Koosman, Casey Stengel, and Tom Seaver. Darryl Strawberry's No. 18 is set to be retired in June.
The event featured a touching moment between Gooden and his longtime teammate, Darryl Strawberry, who recently survived a heart attack. Gooden expressed his joy at sharing the day with Strawberry, emphasizing their enduring bond.
The ceremony included a tribute from rapper Chuck D. and culminated in Gooden throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to his grandson. Reflecting on his career, Gooden shared his struggles with substance abuse and his journey to recovery, highlighting the importance of timing in his eventual jersey retirement.
Despite setbacks and personal challenges, Gooden's contributions to the Mets, including winning the 1984 NL Rookie of the Year and the 1985 NL Cy Young Award, were celebrated. His impact on the 1986 World Series-winning team was also recognized.
Gooden, now 59, expressed gratitude to the fans for their support throughout his career and emphasized his commitment to spreading awareness about drug and alcohol avoidance. Surrounded by former teammates and family members, Gooden's jersey retirement marked a poignant moment in his baseball legacy.
