Doc Gooden's Career Was Over. Then He Did the Impossible.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ก.ค. 2024
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Twitter - / baseballhstrn
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By all accounts, Dwight Gooden should not have been on the field the night of May 14th, 1996.
In fact, if you had to take a guess as to his whereabouts on that chilly May evening, based purely off of the trajectory of his life up until that day, it’s fair to say that the Yankee Stadium pitcher’s mound is the very last place you’d expect him to be.
At 31 years old, Gooden had already experienced triumphs the likes of which most people could only dream of, and the kind of hardships most of us pray we never have to face.
From a blistering rise to the top, that made him one of the best young aces the sport had ever seen, to a stunning fall from grace that rendered him mere inches from death, this is the story of how Doc Gooden defied the odds to deliver one of the most improbable pitching performances of all-time.
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SOURCES
pastebin.com/xZpV7BzX
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BUSINESS INQUIRIES
contact@tablerock.com
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - 1:13 Intro
1:14 - 2:57 The Miserable Mets
2:58 - 5:54 The Good Doctor
5:55 - 7:19 19, 19, 1985
7:20 - 9:39 '86
9:40 - 13:16 The Beginning of the End
13:17 - 14:19 Ad Time (woohoo let's go)
14:20 - 16:57 What's Up, Doc?
16:58 - 20:18 Rock Bottom
20:19 - 24:17 The Way Back
24:18 - 29:09 The Game
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MUSIC
"Bleeding Signs" - Chris Shards
"Blue Nights and Yellow Days" - Matt Large
"Calm Before the Storm" - Howard Harper-Barnes
"Get Moving" - Water Mirrors
"Hip-Hop Pro" - Pro Reese
"Keep the Fire Burning (Instrumental Version)" - Ethan Martin
"Pretty Carolina" - Jontha Links
"Soul Jazz Legacy" - SINY
"The Struggle Is Real" - Matt Large
"The Unveiling" - Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen
"Travel to Centaurus" - Nihoni - กีฬา
Thanks to Keeps for sponsoring this video! Head to keeps.com/baseball to get 50% off your first order of Keeps hair loss treatment.
And thanks to you all for watching this video! I couldn’t do it without viewers like you, thank you. - BH
Man, that ad was super-jarring.
This was fantastic. I am a big baseball fan, but I was born the year Doc began his career and was too young to recall this story. Thanks for making it!
Not always the case my physical peak was at 16 years old then I declined and looked older n worse
I did look 5 years older easy at minimum n had a full beard starting at 15 only thing I was missing was the height I gained everything else a 25 year old man in his prime had I EASILY HAD
I was barely 5 ft n had all this development
Dam this story is inspirational
Who would have thought
A no no at 31 years old and I sure hope his dad remembered this
LOL
The 1985 edit is incredible
seriously
Agreed. This was the best video I’ve seen on TH-cam in a long time
Go Rays
I was trying to figure out what you were talking about but it was obvious when I got there 😂 well done video. Hopefully the channel does really well. Seems like it's been stuck around 17k subs for awhile. Should be wayyy more.
Really is
You had me crying all through the no-hitter. Damn you’re a good story-teller.
Me too!
spoiler alert dude
Thanks. Now I don’t have to watch.
This is as good as any ESPN 30 for 30. Never knew about Gooden's Dad and pitching a No-No before going to see him. Great video.
Wut happened?
Regardless of everything he’s put himself through, Doc will ALWAYS be my favorite pitcher of all time, period.
As a Miami Marlins fan since 1993, I feel the same about Jose Fernandez. And maybe these things are similar, and maybe their not because Jose killed people (there's so much more to the story unfortunately). But still..watching Jose play, going to 2 opening days that he dominated, it was a treat. I imagine it was the same for Doc.
@@LudaChez Jose couldn’t hold a candle to Doc - I have an all star game baseball signed by Jose , authenticated by Steiner sports. Love the ball
@@LudaChez I always felt they were similar in skill
Docs’ stuff in his rookie year was electric. I’ve never seen anyone with stuff that good since. He was untouchable.
@@travisramirez7143 kind of but in the begging doc was truly like no one else. Jose was great and the difference between them I believe is the Jose didn’t hit his peak yet, if he had he may have been comparable. Jose was amazing and I think he would have continued to improve no doubt but Doc was just insane from the jump and then he fell off from drugs and other things. So they may have been similar talent wise but sadly Jose’s passing just makes it harder to compare but don’t get me wrong Jose’s strikeout numbers were Elite. I don’t know much about is passing I know there was controversy but no matter what that was a huge loss for baseball and the world in general as he was an inspiration to young Cuban players and young fans and he will be missed. (Btw I know this is an old comment just needed to say that. It makes me sad when I think about the downfall of such a young protege he may have had his problems but nobody deserves to die, would have loved to see him grow has a person and player. rest easy Jose 🙏 )
As a recovering addict this story is very inspiring and kudos to gooden on finally throwing up his arms and surrendering and admitting he was helpless and had a problem and needed help. One day at a time is how ya do it don’t worry about tomorrow. 18 months sober from my DOC (heroin) and all other drugs and alcohol and just taking it one day at a time way to go Doc
Hope you doing very well brother!
Keep up the good work brother!! We're all rooting for you!!!
Hope all is well. God bless!
One day at a time, friend. Sending my love and support.
Same here. Battled cocaine and alcohol addiction for almost 30 years. I was a total garbage can. Anything I could get my hands on.😢
I remember this game well. My daughter was born this day and I watched the game later that evening on the couch with new new born Daughter. It was a Tuesday. RIP Sophia.
Oh… I’m so sorry……
Brother, what happened? We are concerned and ears if you want to speak
Sorry for your loss. You’ll see her later, I’m sure🙏
@@Ulagcomp nah, he won't. That's a completely illogical fairytale. The light switch basically goes off when we die and everything stops. But I hope his memories of her last as long as possible.
@@chiarosuburekeni9325 Try not to be a dik your entire life. At least try.
What a great video. As a lifelong Mets fan, I often find myself wishing Doc the best, even as he has gone through ups and downs after his career has ended.
I warmly recommend his recent autobiography DOC: A MEMOIR.
My all time favorite…. Love Doc
I’m a NY’er - Yankee fan, but what he and Darryl did for us, was great redemption
But what could of been - dude should of been sure fire HOF’er. Him and Strawberry. Sheesh, imagine if those dudes stayed clean, Mets could of won minimal at least another 1/2 easy
30 minutes ago I had never heard of this guy and now I have the utmost respect for him and his family. What a fascinating story.
wait really lol. you must be young
What an amazing story. I was a Cubs fan growing up, but I always had a soft spot for those Mets teams with Hernandez and Carter and Darryl...Darryl...Darryl... Good memories.
first game i ever went to was at wrigley in '86. darryl hit a hr.
youre everywhere.. love it!
What’s up Brad? I see you in a random channel’s comment section yet again.
I'll always remember the no-no he threw for the 1996 champion NYY, beginning of a dynasty.
I grew up and all we had was WGN in the area i lived in. So all i had was cub games. However, i was a mets fan when i was 9 and game 6 was a game i remember the most that turned me into a mets fan. And that day against tuffy rhodes, i stayed home from school to watch that opening day game too.
Holy shit man. I was drifting off to sleep until you smacked me with that *UNBELIEVABLE 1985* assemblage. Before it even ended, I rewound to start *1985* again and again and again. Please don’t ever stop your creative colors from shining through on your stories.
Thank you, I’m happy you enjoyed it! It was by far the most fun I’ve had on a video yet.
This is a literal masterpiece. This is the type of video that gets you 100k subscribers. My favorite TH-cam video in a very long time. Wow!
Also before anyone points out the math error at 16:30, I know that 1629 is 500 less than 2128, not 600. But this channel is called Baseball Historian, not Baseball Mathematician, so it's not my fault.
Ha you made a mistake
A single error in an engaging half hour video is pretty easy to overlook, so it’s all good.
Nitpicking over 100 digits.
There are bigger fish to fry.
It is your fault but who really would have caught it? Either way thanks for correcting and making the statement
We all make mistakes
No one perfect
Good video
I just watched this with my wife who met Doc Gooden at a corporate event a number of years ago. She said he was very friendly and polite. I still remember that 1984 season when a young man who was the same age as me helped turned my Mets from losers into winners. We pray every day for Doc and hope he wins his ongoing battle against substance abuse.
This is quickly becoming my favorite baseball content channel. Im excited to watch this one!
WOW, great piece and sooooo well done! I love how you ended it without speaking and just allowing the broadcast to wrap it up. I remember almost all of it but you took me deeper with the Steinbrenner meeting and the drama around his dad's surgery and whether to pitch or not. Thanks for the masterpiece!
Very reminiscent of Secret Base.
This video was top notch. I am just getting into baseball, and I love learning about the less talked about players.
I have literally only watched 15 seconds so far, and this already is basically better than a Marvel movie…
Batman fan?
Agreed! How do these have so few views and subs?
I can’t stand marvel movies. And I loved comic books growing up.
Guardians of the Galaxy 1 is the only one I like
Even after all his trouble , I was not surprised anytime Doc did something great. The guy had gifts like few other players
Doc was my hero as a Texas kid. Fast forward to the present - I'm best friends with his cousin down here in Florida. Great and humble guy to this day. I've gotten to meet and spend time with my childhood hero many times now.
That’s amazing wow
As a Mets fan I always heard growing up how good Doc was, it’s a shame he never got a no no as a met. I liken my parents getting to watch him as myself getting to watch Jake pitch. It’s cool to see doc attending a good amount of his starts just to see him do his job better than anyone else.
Edit : didn’t know the story of his dad with that guy that’s pretty cool
If not for an error that official scorers deemed an infield hit, Doc Gooden would have a no-hitter as a Met to his credit. It was in 1984 or '85, against, I think, the Cubs.
Seeing Doc throw a no -no for the Yankees in the beginning year of their dynasty is one of the coolest baseball moments I've ever beheld. Then Cone ,another ex Met throws a perfect game in 1998 for the 114 win Yankees.
Hey well the Mets finally have 2 no hitters. And I think the Johan one had a bad call that was clearly a hit. And while it was a team effort, it was a true no doubt no hitter.
DeGrom is the better pitcher, but Doc from 85-86 was next level must watch. Every pitch was a show all on its own.
@@snerdterguson DeGrom couldn't hold a candle to 84 85 Doc. deGrom would have a 4.50 era at best with 1.4hr/9
Despite his cut throat reputation, honestly the stories of George Steinbrenner and Ray Negron, Doc, and Darryl are really heart warming. Was nice hearing that his first meeting with Doc was about things besides baseball.
My god. I watch TH-cam at least 3-4 hours per day for a long time now. This is one of the best TH-cam videos ive ever watched hands down. Amazing work, BH.
I went to opening day that year, was literally snowing like hell! Yankees gave everyone a choice of 3 future games to come to for free. I chose the game doc threw the no hitter. Had so much fun that the next year I bought a “Sunday” season ticket package, one of those Sundays I saw David Wells throw a perfect game.
I remember that day. LOL
That’s amazing timing. Lol
You're the Yankees' good luck charm 🍀
Those were the days. 1993-2001
@@thealternative9580 *95 End of Mattingly. Meh
"The 1983 Mets were bad" but this video is SO good 😱 Nice work, BH
This is like Baseball Historian x Sadman x Moneyball movie. Great video!
x episode of Pretty Good
Hes my favorite player all time. Im a huge Mets fan and former pitcher who emulated DOC. I remember watching this game bcus Doc was pitching. I remember waking up my dad to tell him Doc is pitching a no no. The only 2 no no's I seen pitched in real time was Doc's and Johan's. Both times I got teary eyed.
It's a shame he never got his life together he arguably deserves to be in the hall of fame on just his 84 to 88 dominant run couldn't imagine how good he woulda been if never started doing drugs
I really enjoyed the video I'm a 52 year old Yankees fan who is born & raised in the Bronx that night with every pitch he threw you could hear it across the street. We watched the game from a roof across the street. How exciting those days.
Great video! Had no idea his father was having heart surgery the next day.
Jeff rose in the house
Damn. Chills. I'm not a big baseball nerd but your storytelling made me feel like I was there the time it all happened.
This video had me in tears! Wonderful! i got to meet DOC about 4 years ago in East Harlem, NYC at a Dominican restaurant famous for baseball players attending. At first i couldn't believe my eyes seeing him! wasnt packed, but everyone inside was shaking, crying and mouths were open at the awe of seeing him. Legend in the 80's and FOREVER
Doc is my all time favorite player. His 1.53 ERA in 1985 is still the lowest for a qualifying pitcher since Bob Gibsons 1.12 in 1968. Despite his off the field issues, he still managed to win almost 200 games. He is 2nd only to Tom Seaver in wins by a Met.
I was in the joint with Doc. He's a stand up guy.
After 1984, the expectations for Gooden were impossibly high. Then in 1985 he blew those expectations out of the world. It was truly a magical season.
Yeah how do you ever beat that? Only people like Kofax could do that. Or Ted Williams.....that's it. Even Kershaw has some moments and injuries. Only Koufax was up and up and up and then gone..
Howard Johnson was also a member of the 1986 Mets that remained on the team in 1993. It would end up being his final season in Flushing. In 1994 he went to the Rockies.
HoJo was my fav player as a kid. ⚾️
If he didn’t touch the white Dwight would’ve been Ight
Cant forget HoJo. I still have my little league card, my team was crazy Billy’s, a liquor store lol and my fave player per the card was Howard Johnson. My dad put it in. I was 8. Griffey was my dude. Could of been buddy Harrelson. I went to a couple of HoJos for some doc gooden nights
This is one of the best baseball videos on YT. Hands down.
I remember as a kid, watching the games with my dad and chanting DAAARYL, DAAARYL, DAAARYL, those were the days! I always loved Doc, my Mets and Shea stadium. I even named my son Carter, naming him after Gary Carter. We had plans to go and meet him at Cooperstown but unfortunately he got very sick and passed away.
I went to countless games at Shea stadium. So many memories in that stadium. I went to the last opening day and the last game ever at Shea. Also the first game at Citi field but nothing compares to showing up early and watching BP and getting autographs. I met so many players, Ricky Henderson, Rey Ordoñez (my favorite player of all time), David Wright, Mike Piazza, Andreas Gallaraga, and many more.
The last time the Mets won the 'ship I was literally in the womb. But this year 2022 I think we are the best team in baseball and have what it takes to win the World Series.🙏🏼
🟧🟦⚾⚾LET'S GO METS!! ⚾⚾🟠🔵
Ain't even gonna lie that at the end choked me up... as a person who has overcome and still deals with issues related to substance abuse I mean just wow. That's all I can say is wow
Being a recovering addict myself I'll always have a special place in my heart for the guys who know the struggle.
This might be the best sports TH-cam video I have ever seen, sitting in my living room listening to the John Sterling call on the last out of the game. The memories came rushing back and I suddenly remembered how much I loved baseball and how I have missed it the last few years.
Great memories thinking back to 80s and early 90s baseball as a kid.
Doctor K
What a Gangster nickname. 1 of the best of all time. Right up there with Charlie Hustle
As a lifelong Met fan I thought Dwight Golden would be the next Tom Seaver and go straight to Cooperstown. It’s a shame it didn’t work out that way.
My mom and sister were sobbing during this. A family of both Mets and Yankees fans celebrating at once.
As a Yankee fan watching this gives me chills, because I remember when he got that no hitter so vividly. Was such a great moment. Absolutely love Dwight gooden. Sure he's got his flaws but he's human. He was so much fun to watch that curveball was so devastating which is what would set up that furious fastball. He was one hell of a hitter too actually. It's a damn shame as nephew Gary Sheffield isn't in the Hall of Fame. Doc may not be a Hall of famer, but he can certainly hang with them.
This just came back in my feed a couple years later. After re-watching again, I really think there's a hollywood movie to be made here. Young kid with talent gets thrown in the spotlight, gets hooked on drugs and has a life and death moment, comes back after hard work, throws the perfect game. It's a hollywood movie irl.
One of the most gifted pitchers ever to grace the mound! Strung out and still ballin out. Wish he could have stayed clean. My favorite ball player ever
I’m sure it has to do a lot with my childhood…but to me…Doc was THEE pitcher. He was dominating, intimidating and just inhuman. The best ever in my eyes. It was always exciting to watch him pitch and just basically play catch with Gary Carter. With all his off the field bullsh!t, I still say thanks for the good memories Doc. He’s the only reason I pitched in little league (played center the rest of the time) and emulated him with a decent amount of success. I learned to throw a curve and had a decent fastball at 10-12 yes old. Good times.
He was on drugs whole time man. Imagine he stayed clean
I loved that. Thank you. Gooden definitely deserves to be remembered by baseball fans. He was phenomenal.
It is incredible How Doc pitched a great game against Seattle as a Yankee, then going back in time pitching against teams in the National League while with the Mets. I am glad that his no#16 was retired with Mets. These are great memories that I will remember Doc. Both as a Met and Yankee!
Wow, Gooden's mom got what is probably one of the best nose digs ever caught on camera.
Got doc’s autograph when he was with Cleveland in 1999. At Yankee Stadium. He was one of two players (CLE backup catcher Einar Diaz) who poked their heads out of the dugout to sign a few autographs. I always appreciated that.
I was at this game and it was a wonderful accident. I had tix for the Yanks home opener and there was a snowstorm that April in NYC. I was only 15 yrs old and reckless at the time, so I stayed for the whole game in the freezing snow. Yanks decided to give free tix to whoever was left at the end (maybe 1000 of us) & we got to pick one of 3 future games. So I picked a random Tuesday night game and it happened to be May 14, 1996...the Doc No-Hitter. Best game I have ever been to!
Been a Mets fan my whole life kind of randomly (I have no connection to NY or any players, i'm from Louisiana) and Doc Gooden my childhood favorite pitcher. My earliest baseball memories are of his dominant years. Not ashamed to admit I cried tears of happiness when he pitched that no hitter. Great video!
Doc was my favorite player as a little kid. I grew up an hour from Tampa and had a Dwight Gooden mit. I knew his no-no was great but I had no idea about his dad. Wow. Just wow. Incredible.
*I'm an Indians fan, but that was one of the best videos I've ever seen.* Got a subscriber for life.
Yet another amazing video from you. Your editing and narration, are second to none. And the way you let that hang and speak for itself at the very end, instead of needlessly running your mouth, was world class direction. You deserve SO many more subs than 40k. I wish you the very best.
A beautiful story and a beautiful video. Great job on your edits, especially the 85' season part. I've seen other people mention that part too.
I rooted hard for Gooden during his time with the Yankees. After starting the year 0-3, he ended up salvaging the season by going 11 - 4 the rest of the way and 9-5 the following season.
Dwight flew to New York the day after the no-hitter, giving his father the final-out ball from the night before. Dan Gooden would never leave the hospital, passing away in January. Thank you for posting this video, it brought back a lot of good memories from when I was still a fan of the game. 🙂
A Tuffy Rhodes sighting!
A legend in Japan.
@@MrSpeed-lt8gr Hell, he's a legend in Chicago.
The man that broke Doc Gooden.
It all started w/ 3 simple questions, 3 simple answers between a father & his son. The rest is baseball history
It makes no sense for a professional athlete to drink, smoke or do drugs
Drinking or smoking sure. Makes no sense. But there are stimulants known to improve cognitive function, situation awareness. Not unreasonable to try to be better. The legion of boom Seahawks Dbs all had Adderall prescriptions and helped win a super bowl. They probably had exp with it from their college years and got a script easy from a Dr for nfl.
Nicely done.
Another point of note, Yankees pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre was also Doc's pitching coach during the 80s on the Mets.
I remember that night. Despite being a die hard Cardinals follower I was a big Gooden and Strawberry fan.
Knowing all the troubles Doc went through me and many of my friends cheered for him that night as it is the classic American Dream of redemption much like James J Braddock, Ali, etc
So many times a person is down in life only to return for one great last hoorah and a shining moment.
Yes Gooden continued to struggle but as always hoped the best for him.
Stay strong Doc it was an honor to watch you pitch.
The great Dwight Gooden, my favourite baseball player.
This is an amazing video. I really love the time and effort you put into it. Keep up the great work!
Im a Mets fan since 1985 and I see the Mets win the World Series I remember Gooden and Darryl this two guide are my favorite player Darryl with the bat and Gooden with the pitching. Great memories in my childhood. Greetings from Puerto Rico and thanks for sharing. Let's go Mets.⚾️✅
Fantastic. Great job bro. I hope you win an award for this, for real. Well Done.
This channel reminds me a lot of those really intricate Secret Base videos where they have little music interludes like the 1985 montage you did.
Really well done! Lot of fun!
great video! I love the story you chose to tell and you did a great job with the editing to keep me engaged. I heard some people say you ended it too abruptly, but I was perfectly happy with when it ended. Also congrats on getting a sponsorship, looking forward to your next video!
Thanks for the support!
Downright outstanding video. Can't wait until these are pulling in a million views each. :)
Just need to say, as a teenage fan of Gooden in the ‘80’s mesmerized by his performances and results; then seeing his many challenges after, watching this deep cut resonated more than I would have expected. Thank you for putting this together and sharing. More than any other pitcher, for some reason I’ve rooted for Doc over any other for 40 years. Preternatural grace and quiet confidence, but with nasty stuff, almost seems contradictory. Appreciate your video, much respect.
His pitching motion was poetry in motion! What a talent.
Thanks for the video. Doc is mild mannered introverted cool guy. People don’t think about he was just a 20/21 year old kid trying to fit in same with Len Bias. I remember not watching that no hitter out fear I may jinx it. Doc Gooden is one of the all time greats and nobody will ever be able to convince me otherwise.
What a great video. Much more than a short bio of a player. You told a STORY. I loved it.
I love all your videos, but this is hands down your best video ever. I got chills watching this that I haven't experienced since I was a kid watching documentaries on ESPN.
Thank you, that means a lot!
@@BaseballHistorian that editing sequence for the 1985 season was absolute fire. It could’ve been a stand-alone video and I’d still watch.
That was crazy from being on top of the world as a world champion Gooden with the mets then hit rock bottom from drug and alcohol addiction plus his mets teammates traded or let go being the sole player left for the mets then making a comeback
I've just discovered your channel & I'm not a baseball guy at all! My mind & body aren't geared for it, it's to slow but I can't stop watching your channel, your fantastic!!! Every aspect, the final edit of the clips & your narration is some of the best, you've made it a art form!!! Damn, it's impressive!!
Native New Yorker here, I've loved the Yanks since Bucky played shortstop, great story, THANQ!!!
As a Braves & BASEBALL fan since the late 60's.... I have one thing to say...WOW!!!
Great channel!! I watched a lot of Mets in the 80’s, good memories.
This was incredible I love your content! I'm so suprised you haven't blown up yet, idk if you take requests but I think a deep dive on the 07-11 phillies would be great from your perspective. 3 mvps, 4 slam dunk HOFs (Utley, Rollins, howard, and eventually Holliday) and only 1 world series would be really interesting from your perspective.
I've been struggling with addiction for years and recently been getting down but this just gave me so much hope 🙏 great video
What could have been Darryl Strawberry & Doc Gooden? As a NY Mets fan we all thought 1986 was the beginning of a dynasty. How hard and unforgiving life can be.
Absolutely fantastic editing, great music, great pacing. Awesome video.
Thank you for your hard work bringing this beautiful story to us.
I watched this one live. Will never forget it.
Your dad didn’t happen to claim you were a special needs child to get behind home plate did he?
@@literallyshaking8019 no. What the fuck?
@@NYYRecaps look up comedian Chris DeStefano’s story of his dad taking him to Doc’s “no-no”
@@NYYRecaps here, I found it for you:
th-cam.com/video/Xru_JaOh47I/w-d-xo.html
This was really good!! First video of your's that I have watched. Will watch more!!
I never watched baseball til Gooden and Strawberry joined the Mets. To this day, my 2 favourite players. And to this day, still my favourite team. Been a bumpy and frustrating ride from a fan pov, but never once about jumping ship.
this was an amazing video man, the edits were awesome
Great story. Wonderful production. Seriously great work. Thanks.
That whole video is so well done I can't really find the right words honestly. Love it
Beautiful story I had no idea thanks for the great vid and more knowledge of the past great players
chills man, great memories. your best vid yet!
This video is so well done. Holy cow. Thank you so much for making this.
That was way too good. Beautifully written and executed.
Beautiful heart warming story. Thank you for putting it together
The autobiography "Heat" literally explains this entire story. One of my all time favorite books.
I watch this all the time !
1
Doc is my favorite player
2
He got me through my childhood
Absolutely one of the greatest documentaries ever. I still have four cards I bought of him before 1988. I graduated from high school in 1986. Man was I ever a fan of Doc Gooden.
10,000 pitches by the age of 21. You can talk all you want about the sunstance abuse but that is by far the biggest contributing factor to any decline for Doc.
Still: 194 wins, 52.9 bWAR, 2 WS, 1 Cy Young ( a triple crown one ), 1 no hitter
and he retired at 35, what an amazing career.
The Mets also tinkered with his pitching mechanics and Doc said he never got the same movement on his fastball after his first couple years.
I always figured it was a mixture of that, shoulder injuries and substance abuse that contributed to his decline. He had a serious drug problem, but look at the many many pitchers without drug/alcohol issues that just weren’t able to maintain because of wear-and-tear on their arms/shoulders.