Retiring Number 16

By Jay Horwtiz

If you weren’t there in the 1980’s, it’s hard to describe what a Dwight Gooden start was like at Shea. It wasn’t a game. It was an event. It was a happening.

Everyone wanted to be there when Doc pitched. You never knew what could happen. Would he throw a no-hitter? Would he strike out 15 or 16?

I used to get calls from friends for complimentary tickets, and nine out of 10 times the tickets were for a Dwight game. All of us focused on the “K Board” in left field which kept count of his strikeouts.

I think what made all of his accomplishments so great was that he was so young. He pitched at 19 in his Rookie of The Year season in 1984, and was 20 when he went 24–4 to capture the Cy Young in 1985. Doc was always the first to do this or the first to do that.

I can’t wait until Sunday when we retire his Number 16 and put it on the Citi roof alongside his 1986 teammate Keith Hernandez’ Number 17.

I’m sorry to say that four of the people most important it Dwight’s life won’t be there to celebrate with his. His parents Ella and Dan Gooden are gone as is Doc’s second father, pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre. His manager Davey Johnson had recent hip surgery and is not able to travel.

I know it’s hard to say never about anything. I just don’t think we will witness another Dwight Gooden story again. He was one of a kind.