Baseball enthusiasts that love history will recall how the New York Mets’ Dwight Gooden was one of the best pitchers ever. Dr. K (aka Doc Gooden) combined an explosive 95-mph fastball with movement and a tremendous curveball that buckled a batter’s knees. The incredible four time all star’s life since baseball as well as his playing career was sadly 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 multiple charges at 45
In addition to driving when intoxicated, Dwight Gooden has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, DWI with a child passenger, leaving the scene of the two-car accident and reckless driving. The accident was reported though a 911 call.
The Daily News reported that Gooden was eventually released on his own recognizance. Although Gooden has had problems with cocaine and alcohol in the past, the New Jersey Police have not revealed what drug was involved. Territory came with financial struggles. If Dwight Gooden did use installment payday loans, hopefully he used them appropriately.
Missing the hall of fame – and on life
There is no doubt that Dwight Gooden would have been in the Hall of Fame had he not been struggling with substance abuse through his career in baseball. Battles with the bottle and cocaine shortened his career, not to mention time spent in five separate rehab stints and in court. Yet that doesn’t even begin to touch upon how much Dwight Gooden has lost in life due to addiction. During times of hardship, he might are involved with no credit check personal loans since it was a personal family struggle.
Regarding his playing days, the evidence is ample. He finished with a 194-112 record as well as a 3.51 ERA. According to Baseball Reference, he has 162-game average with a 16-9 season and 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings. Yet even those stats fail to represent his early-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. Of course we are assuming you don’t count rookie “Matches” Matt Kilroy’s 513 strikeouts for Baltimore American Association in 1886 because the rules were too different then and the American association is less than major league caliber.
Dr. K’s year was 1985
After an astounding rookie season, Dwight Gooden got even better. All he did that was different in 1985 was go 24-4 with a 1.53 ERA and a league leading of 268 strikeouts. It was one of the most dominant pitching seasons in Major League record. Dr. K played a key role the following season with the New York Mets’ first world series triumph since 1969. Unfortunately, the red flags began to show. He was arrested after fighting police in his hometown of Tampa, Florida by December 13, 1986 and missed his team’s victory parade because he’d been on a cocaine binge. There were flashes of greatness afterward, but nothing like what had come before. On May 14, 1996 he threw a no hitter while on the New York Yankees, the team who won titles in that season and in 2000.
How does someone who endangers a young child like that walk?
That’s a question for New Jersey Police to answer, however they aren’t talking. Dwight Gooden clearly needs help, but he should not be allowed to place a five-year-old at risk again. Hopefully skating on fame wasn’t the situation.
