Cooperstown Chronicles - Dwight Gooden

Photo courtesy of TSN Archives/Icon SMI

Favre_is_overrated_2007, a friend of mine from Sporting News, suggested Dwight Gooden.  Here are my findings.

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

The Numbers
410 Starts
2800.7 Innings Pitched
194-112 Record
.634 Winning %
3.51 ERA (compared to 3.88 League ERA)
1.256 WHIP
2293 Ks
68 Complete Games
24 Shutouts
One 20 Win Season
No-hitter

Playoffs:  9 Starts, 0-4 record, 3.97 ERA, 49 Ks, 1 painful World Series Ring

Awards
1985 Cy Young
1984 Rookie of the Year
1985 Triple Crown
1985 Sporting New Pitcher of the Year
4 All-Star Game Appearances
Cy Young Votes in 5 Seasons
MVP Votes in 3 Seasons

Top Ten Finishes
Wins - Six Times (Led league in 1985)
ERA - Four Times (Led league in 1985)
Winning % - Seven Times 
Innings - Four Times (Led league in 1985)
Strikeouts - Seven Times (Led league in 1984 & 1985)
Starts - Three Times
Complete Games - Six Times (Led League in 1985)
Shutouts -  Seven Times

Talk about waste of talent.  Not many pitchers did what Doc did in his first three seasons.  58-19 (.753) with a 2.28 ERA and 248 Ks/yr.  We’re talking Sandy Koufax type dominance.  Perhaps he was too young (19) for all of that success.  Perhaps it was the bright lights of New York City and the pressures of being a teen-superstar in that media circus.  Perhaps it was the popularity of cocaine is some circles in the mid-eighties.  I’m sure it’s a combo platter.  Whatever it was, Doc Gooden was easily on target for Cooperstown before he became one of the game’s most tragic figures.  I am almost tempted to enshrine him based on his winning percentage, but sadly I can’t do it despite being one of my favorite players growing up.  At least he can be pointed to as an example of drugs can do to you.  He should have listened to Nancy Reagan when she said “Just Say No”.  If he had Dr. K would be a Hall of Famer right now.

References
Baseball-reference.com

Past Chronicles
Bert Byleven
Andre Dawson
Dale Murphy
Mark McGwire
Bobby Matthews
Tommy John
Buck O’Neill & Minnie Minoso
Jim Rice
Ted Simmons
Lee Smith
Jack Morris
Al Oliver
Steve Garvey
Jim Kaat
Pete Ro$e
Shoeless Joe Jackson
Dave Concepcion
Lou Whitaker
Alan Trammell
Ron Santo
Ron Guidry
Gil Hodges
Dave Parker
Tony Mullane
Keith Hernandez
Don Mattingly
Dwight Evans
Ralph Houk (Manager)
Jimmie Dykes (Player/Manager)
Charlie Grimm (Player/Manager)
Billy Martin (Player/Manager)
Harold Baines
Gene Mauch (Manager)
Whitey Herzog (Manager)
Tom Kelly (Manager)
Joe Carter
Rusty Staub
Gary Gaetti
Jimmy Ryan
George Van Haltren
Roger Maris
Lance Parrish
Mo Vaughn
Mark Grace
Dennis Martinez
Chuck Finley
Fred McGriff
Wes Parker
Steve Finley
Orlando Cepeda*
Albert Belle
Willie Randolph
Graig Nettles
Luis Gonzalez
Lefty O’Doul
Rocky Colavito
Boog Powell
Jerry Koosman
Mike Cuellar
Edgar Martinez
Brooks Robinson*
Roberto Alomar
Dave Stieb
John Franco
Maury Wills
Sherry Magee
Phil Rizzuto*
Orel Hershiser
Frank Viola
David Cone

* signifies actual Hall of Famers