Ever since 2020, the New York Mets have made it a priority to honor their past, from retiring Jerry Koosman and Keith Hernandez‘s numbers to retiring Willie Mays‘s number and fulfilling his personal wish by having his number retired by a New York National League club. As well as bringing back the return of Old Timers’ Day. The Mets have done an excellent job honoring their history at Citi Field. In August of 2023, the Mets announced they would retire the numbers of Darryl Strawberry (18) and Dwight Gooden (16) in 2024. It’s certainly a long time coming for the dynamic duo of the 1980s Mets and how much they meant to the fans and the organization.
On Wednesday, Gooden and Strawberry talked about the honor of their numbers being put into the rafters of Citi Field next to their peers. The Mets announced their jersey retirement dates. Gooden will be on Sunday, April 14th, and Strawberry on Saturday, June 1st. Gooden and Strawberry thanked the organization, especially the new ownership, something Strawberry very much emphasized, and the fans for their numbers being retired. Strawberry said this was bigger than being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and that his heart and soul bleed orange and blue.
Strawberry also commented on Pete Alonso and his upcoming free agency. He expressed his personal regret for leaving New York after 1990 and his battles with the front office. Plus, the opportunity Alonso has to break every record in the Mets’ history books if he stays, including his own. On Gooden’s 1985 season, Strawberry said he’d never seen a pitcher dominate that year the way Doc did.
They both talked about the fans’ impact from the time before they came up to their experience playing at Shea Stadium and how much they were a part of their success. Gooden talked about two occasions during the mid to late 1990s when he wanted to return to the Mets, but the team declined. Gooden wished to return and show his appreciation to the Mets and the fans, and he’s glad he can do that now. Strawberry said he’s only counting the 252 home runs he hit as a Met.
Strawberry discussed how much he hoped the fans would appreciate the history and what they did for the team and how much he wished the team would’ve won more like in 1988. Gooden said it’s a celebration of their careers, and they helped change the organization. He wants the fans to feel they are a big part of his jersey retirement and upcoming speech.
Gooden and Strawberry touched a lot about mental health, and Gooden commented about his demons and his advice to the youth. Gooden said, “Addiction doesn’t discriminate. I remember crying and going to get drugs. If there is a problem, be honest with yourself.” Strawberry talked about how it’s not about how far you fall but not to quit and keep fighting.
On their best moments, Strawberry’s was September 17, 1986, when the Mets clinched the NL East against the Chicago Cubs at Shea Stadium. Strawberry said it was the most significant moment of his career to clinch at home with the fans on the field. Gooden’s was clinching the division in 1986 and being on the mound for that night, as well as hugging his Dad after being told he made the team in 1984.
For the 2024 Mets, Strawberry advised the team to come together and ignore the noise outside the clubhouse. He reflected on losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1985 despite winning 98 games and coming back for 1986. Gooden felt the team was close together as a unit and had one common goal.
Link here via SNY for their full press conference from today.
