Dwight Gooden

Easton Press Dwight Gooden books

Heat: My Life On and Off the Diamond - signed first edition - 1999

 

Baseball player Dwight Gooden

Dwight Gooden, born on November 16, 1964, in Tampa, Florida, is a former professional baseball pitcher who rose to prominence as one of the most dominant and electrifying pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB) during the 1980s. Nicknamed "Doc" for his pitching prowess, Gooden quickly made a name for himself in the baseball world. He was drafted by the New York Mets in 1982 and made his MLB debut in 1984 at the age of 19. In his rookie season, Gooden achieved immediate success, capturing the attention of fans and fellow players alike. He dominated hitters with his blazing fastball and sharp curveball, earning the National League Rookie of the Year award and helping the Mets clinch the World Series title in 1986.

The peak of Gooden's career came in 1985 when he won the Cy Young Award as the league's best pitcher. That year, he recorded a remarkable 24-4 win-loss record with a 1.53 ERA, 268 strikeouts, and eight complete games. His fastball, often reaching speeds of over 95 mph, became one of the most feared pitches in the league.

Despite his early success, Gooden faced challenges off the field, including struggles with substance abuse. These issues began to affect his career, leading to periodic declines in performance. He faced suspensions and legal troubles, which impacted the latter part of his playing days. Gooden's career included stints with several teams, including the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. While he experienced moments of success with these teams, including a no-hitter with the Yankees in 1996, his career became marked by the highs and lows associated with personal challenges.

In the years following his playing career, Dwight Gooden has faced ongoing battles with addiction. Despite the challenges, his impact on the game of baseball during his prime remains indelible, and he is remembered as one of the most dominant pitchers of his era. The story of Dwight Gooden's career serves as a reminder of both the brilliance and struggles that can accompany a life in professional sports.

 

Heat - My Life on and Off the Diamond

Dwight Gooden's early years with the New York Mets were golden he was the youngest winner of the Cy Young Award in baseball history and led the New York Mets to one of the most dramatic World Series victories in 1986. Dwight Gooden a.k.a. Doc or simply Dr. K had a fastball that hitters just could not beat. But Gooden's fall was as quick and dramatic as his rise. By 1994 he had twice been suspended from the league for drug abuse, plunging him into a vicious cycle that threatened his career and, ultimately, his life. Today, Dwight Gooden is back in the big leagues. Heat captures Gooden's poignant road to recovery, and how it culminated in his second World Series ring with the New York Yankees in 1996, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Yankees club. During his fourteen years in the big leagues, Dwight Gooden has seen plenty. Heat brings to life the glorious world championship baseball through the eyes of one of its most popular and talented stars.