Sunday will be a special day of baseball for the New York Mets.
Not only they will be playing against a very tough foe, the Kansas City Royals, but they will be honoring a true franchise legend.
Mets owner Steven Cohen recently revealed that the organization will be retiring Dwight Gooden’s No. 16 in a ceremony on Sunday.
So far, the Mets have proudly retired No. 14 (Gil Hodges, 1973), No. 17 (Keith Hernandez, 2022), No. 24 (Willie Mays, 2022), No. 31 (Mike Piazza, 2016), No. 36 (Jerry Koosman, 2021), No. 37 (Casey Stengel, 1965), and No. 41 (Tom Seaver, 1988).
Gooden will join that elite group, and outfielder Darryl Strawberry will have his own ceremony in June.
Gooden went to Twitter to thank the Mets and their loyal fans for the honor.
“I want to personally thank the @Mets organization for this wonderful honor. My #16 Jersey will be retired this Sunday at Citi Field in front of this amazing fan base who have always been like family! I am truly grateful and can’t wait to celebrate everyone,” Gooden tweeted.
I want to personally thank the @Mets organization for this wonderful honor. My #16 Jersey will be retired this Sunday at Citi Field in front of this amazing fan base who have always been like family!
I am truly grateful and can’t wait to celebrate everyone. pic.twitter.com/yiMOtI2UDC
— Dwight Gooden (@DocGooden16) April 12, 2024
Gooden, in the eighties, was a force of nature.
He won the 1984 NL Rookie of the Year award with a furious debut, and he was the NL Cy Young a year later and a key cog on the 1986 World Series-winning team in 1986.
Substance abuse derailed his career after that, but his prime was elite.
He left a 3.51 ERA for his career, but the number was an absolutely elite 3.10 in 11 seasons with the Mets.
Gooden’s place in Mets history is guaranteed, and his number won’t ever be worn again by anyone else starting from Sunday.
It’s a huge recognition to his contributions to the team.
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