Mets to Retire Numbers of Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry
Haven’t posted in a while. How has the season been? The Mets didn’t blow up the team or anything, right? Anyway, I’m back with the announcement that the Mets will retire the numbers of Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry in separate ceremonies next year.
Steve Cohen saying in a statement:
“Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden each had an enormous impact on our franchise, and it’s my honor to continue our commitment to celebrating our wonderful history.”
The Mets also releasing statements from Gooden and Strawberry. Doc first:
“I was completely overwhelmed when I got the call I want to say ‘thank you’ to the fans who supported me through the good times and bad times. I couldn’t have made it through without their encouragement. There is no greater honor a player can receive than having his number retired. It’s hard for me to express how honored and thankful I am to Steve and Alex (Mrs. Cohen). This would make my mother and father extremely proud and I know they are looking down from heaven smiling.”
Strawberry said:
“When I got the call from Steve, I welled up with tears of joy. I started to reflect on my journey through the organization. I had some ups and downs, but in the end, I am proud of my time in New York. I owe so much to Mets fans – they are simply the best. It’s really amazing to me that No. 18 will be forever remembered. I would like to thank the Hall of Fame committee and especially Steve and Alex Cohen.”
“Ups and downs” is an understatement for both players. I am glad the Mets are doing this — they were my two favorite players from those great Mets teams of the mid-1980s — but I am also kind of surprised, considering how their Mets tenures ended. But they’ve been welcomed back into the fold in recent years and both of them seem to have turned their lives around.
It is great to see Steve Cohen live up to his promise to celebrate the Mets long and rich history. Hopefully he will be able to add to it and make this season just a blip in our memories.