Mets Formally Retire Doc Gooden's No. 16
It was not a easy road to immortality, but Doc Gooden is finally there in the pantheon of Mets legends. His number 16 was officially retired Sunday prior to New York's 1:40 first pitch against the Kansas City Royals. The Doctor joins the likes of Keith Hernandez, Mike Piazza and Tom Seaver to have his number retired by the organization. Darryl Strawberry will join Gooden in having his number 18 retired later this summer. Gooden's up and down career with the Mets and Major League Baseball is well documented. When he came up in 1984, Gooden was must see TV. In his first two years, Gooden was easily the best, and most dynamic pitcher in baseball. Gooden racked up strikeouts with alacrity. In 1985, the best year of his career, Gooden struck out 276 batters and won 24 games with the Mets. His ERA in '85, a microscopic 1.85. He was by all definitions: electric. Still, as we all know, drugs, alcohol and legal trouble consumed Gooden's life. It was well documented now via
