Baseball devotees with memories that date back to the 1980s know that the New York Mets’ Dwight Gooden was one of probably the most untouchable pitchers of all time. Dr. K (aka Doc Gooden) combined an amazing 95 mph fastball with a fantastic movement and a wonderful curveball that buckled bather’s knees. Sadly, the four-time All-Star’s playing career and life since baseball was marred by alcohol and drug abuse. Apparently the DWI arrest in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey came after “three and one half years” of sobriety, stated the New York Daily News. His five-year-old son Dylan was reportedly in the car.
Dwight Gooden faces several charges at 45
As well as driving intoxicated, Gooden has been charged with leaving the scene of the two car accident, reckless driving, DWI with a child passenger, and endangering the welfare of a child. The accident was reported via a 911 call.
The Daily News reported that Gooden was eventually released on his own recognizance. The drug involved has not been revealed by the New Jersey Police, although Gooden has had troubles with cocaine and alcohol within the past. Territory came with financial struggles. If Dwight Gooden were to use installment pay day loans, I’d hope he’d use them appropriately.
Missing the hall of fame – and on life
There’s little doubt that if Dwight Gooden hadn’t struggled with substance abuse in the course of his baseball career, he’d be on his way to the Hall of Fame. Battles with the bottle and cocaine reduced his career, not to mention time spent in five separate rehab stints and in court. That doesn’t even show anything Gooden lost in his life because of addiction. That is a private struggle between Dwight Gooden and his family, one that may or may not have involved no credit check personal loans during times of trouble.
Regarding his playing days, the data is sufficient. He finished with a 194-112 record also as a 3.51 ERA. Both of his records are excellent according to Baseball reference; he had a 162-game average, a 16-9 season with 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings. Those stats don’t even properly represent his early life career magnificence. The 1984 National League Rookie of the Year set the Major League rookie record with 276 strikeouts and 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings. You can’t count the rookie “Matches” Matt Kilroy’s 513 strikeouts for the Baltimore of American Association in 1886 since the rules were very different then and nowadays the American Association is considered less than Major League caliber.
1985 was Dr. K’s year
After an astounding rookie season, Dwight Gooden got even better. All he did in 1985 was go 24-4 with a 1.53 ERA and league-leading 268 strikeouts. Major League history, it was one of one of the most dominant pitching seasons. Dr. K played a key role the following season with the New York Mets’ first world series triumph since 1969. Unfortunately, red flags began to show. He skipped the team’s victory parade because he’d been on a cocaine binge, and by December 13, 1986, he was arrested after fighting police in his hometown of Tampa, Florida. There were a few great things that happened following but nothing that lived up to his previous greatness. He threw a no-hitter on May 14, 1996 as a member of the New York Yankees, a team that won titles that season and in 2000.
How does someone who endangers a young child like that walk?
The New Jersey Police should be answering that except they won’t talk. Gooden obviously needs help, but he shouldn’t be permitted to put his five year old in danger again. Hopefully the situation wasn’t one of skating on fame.
