Gooden had a record-breaking Rookie of the Year season in 1984 after jumping straight to the majors from Lynchburg of the Class-A Carolina League. The Mets' number-one pick in the June 1982 draft (the fifth player taken) had led the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts in 1983, fanning 300 in 191 innings, and Davey Johnson had sworn that wherever he was managing in 1984, he would have Gooden.. Gooden made his debut indoors, on April 7, in the The Houston Astrodome. He went on to set a major league rookie record with 276 strikeouts in only 218 innings. The strikeouts earned him the nickname Doctor K and a rooting section in the upper deck that hung out a red K for each strikeout during his starts. He tied the major league mark for strikeouts in two consecutive games, with 32 in starts on September 12 and 17, which, combined with his September 7 start, gave him a record 43 in three straight games. Going 17-9 with a 2.60 ERA, he instantly became the Mets' ace and made them overnight contenders. He was the youngest All-Star ever, and he and Fernando Valenzuela combined to strike out six consecutive batters, between them breaking Carl Hubbell's record. Gooden reached new heights in 1985, winning the Cy Young award with the "pitcher's Triple Crown," leading the NL in wins (24-4), ERA (1.53), and strikeouts (268). His 16 complete games also led the league, and his rising fastball and snapping curve dominated NL hitters. Curveballs are referred to by ballplayers as "Uncle Charley," but Gooden's was called "Lord Charles."

Dwight Gooden

TAMPA, FLA. (AP)--- Dwight Gooden is ready to try coaching.
Gooden, currently a New York Yankees' special adviser, will be the pitching coach this summer for the team's rookie league club in the Gulf Coast League.

It's something I want to experience and try," Gooden said Monday. "I owe it to myself and the organization."

Gooden, the 1985 NL Cy Young Award winner, went 194-112 with a 3.51 ERA before retiring at the end of spring training two years ago. He then accepted the front-office role offered by Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

He has worked extensively this year with pitchers in the
Yankees' extended spring training program.

"I want to get some experience for the future," Gooden said.

If he enjoys coaching and the team likes his performance, Gooden could be among those considered should Yankees pitching Mel Stottlemyre retire.

The Gulf Coast League season starts June 17 and concludes at end of August.

It's ironic that Hernandez made his major league debut at the same time the last great teenage pitching phenom, Dwight Gooden, was arrested for driving under the influence (and subsequently fleeing the site). As you can see in this picture , Gooden has obviously had a very, very difficult time lately.

Perhaps the greatest thrill of my time as a Mets fan was watching Gooden come up to the majors in the early 1980s. I had never seen a 19-year-old ballplayer like him, and I haven't since (Hernandez notwithstanding). He had an effortless, fluid delivery, a fastball with "giddyup" and a curveball that was virtually unhittable. (The Mets' announcers called it "Lord Charles" instead of just "Uncle Charley.") The tradition of hanging a "K" for every strikeout started with Gooden (creatively copied with K’s that look like Felix the Cat for Hernandez). He also had that great smile and a demeanor that could seemingly handle New York. How wrong I was.

I hope King Felix can avoid the same fate, and I wish Dwight Gooden all the best as he attempts to get his life together.

Gooden without right to freedom , remains imprisoned

Gooden without right to freedom in TAMPA, Florida, 26 of August of 2005 remained imprisoned . Dwight Gooden will remain lengthy and without right to freedom until a hearing in October, she considered Friday a judge, three days after the retired pitcher fled from the police in his automobile to avoid an alcohol test.  Gooden, in an orange prisoners suit and shackled on the wrists and ankles, haggard looking in his appearance, to which he went to court accompanied by his mother and lawyer.  He did not speak during the brief proceeding, except responding to the judges questions  with concise " yes " or " no ".  Circuit Judge Nick Nazaretian approved an agreement between the parties that will allow the ex- star of the Mets and Yankees to enter a program to overcome the addiction to drugs if he obtains a spot . Gooden also has day in court on domestic violence.  The lawyer for Gooden, Peter Hobson, declined to say where Gooden, of 40 years, where he was ever since Monday when he fled from the police.  The lawyer requested privacy for Gooden and his family.  Gooden came to the authorities Thursday, after fleeing from the police officer,  who had ordered him from his BMW in the south of Tampa, presumably to leave drunk. The ex- pitcher showed his license to the police, but he twice refused to lower window of the car to be put under an examination. Immediately afterwards, he started the car and he left backwards from the police with the license in the hand.  Nazaretian fixed date of 25 of October for the hearing of the new accusations against Gooden. 

Gooden was the Novice of the Year of 1984 and in the following season Young raised itself with the Cy Young award, as NY Mets .  His life record was 194-112 with 3.51 of effectiveness, retiring in the 2001.  He also played for the Yankees, Cleveland, Houston and Tampa Bay.

(FCR)

" JUST WHAT I WANTED FOR CHRISTMAS
A FROZEN BANK ACCOUNT TO KEEP ME WARM "

Tis the season to be Jolly. Falalala lalalala. That is the plan each year at this time. It isn't working out that way if you are an American soldier in Iraq. Saddam Hussein or no Saddam Hussein. Closer to home it isn't that way for former Big League Ace Dwight Gooden. Friday a judge in Florida froze his bank account. It may be the right season to freeze but not your bank account and not in Florida.

Yesterday we had a Christmas story about the reality of the Season and one's health. Alonzo Mourning's. Today it's about the Season and wealth. Or the lack of it for one notable athlete. Having your only bank account frozen less than a week before Christmas is not the best way to feed ones Spirit.

Actually all Dwight Gooden is today is a convenient parable for the multi-faceted character of Christmastime. The good, the bad, and the heartless. Seems Gooden has financial woes as well as in the middle of a divorce. His soon to be X went into to Court to tell the Judge Dear Dwight 'forgot' to send her the 50% of the value of their house which was sold last year. Leaving his wife and his kids in bad shape.

One thing Dwight appears not to have learned on the baseball diamond was fairness or the law. So now he is Frozen days before Christmas. And apparently don't expect Gooden to be spending Christmas Day with his family. He probably doesn't have to worry about being invited.

People often group Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry together. After all they played ball together in New York for both the Mets and the Yankees. And then they both got in trouble down in Florida. Darryl with drugs and Dwight with alcohol. Strawberry was pinned using illegal drugs and Gooden with driving under the influence.

They both work for the Yankee organization still. Each seems to get his life together for a while and then more troubles. Earlier in the year Gooden seemed on the straight and narrow while Strawberry went back to jail for parole violation. Now the latest we've heard anyway Strawberry is being a model citizen and will work as a minor league instructor for the Yankees in the spring. And its Gooden's turn to be the bad guy trying to gyp his wife and kids out of money they need to live.

Maybe it wwe Mourning in his hospital bed where he is spending Christmas hoping his new kidna

Gooden Signing

Dwight Gooden