At a recent event hosted by the Nick Loeb Foundation, New York Mets legend Dwight “Doc” Gooden sat down with World Baseball Network’s Reginald Armstrong for a wide-ranging conversation on dominance, mentorship, and the art of pitching. The interview was part of WBN’s sponsorship of special community events like this one — a celebration that brought together fans, local leaders, and the baseball community for an evening of stories, connection, and history.
Rookie of the Year in 1984, Triple Crown pitcher in 1985, and a World Series champion in 1986 — Gooden’s first three seasons were more than dominant. They were seismic, altering the sport’s imagination for what a 20-year-old arm could do. This conversation revisits how the ’86 Mets won with edge and chemistry, the mentors who helped shape Gooden’s craft, and why his lessons still resonate today.
Gooden’s memory of the ’86 Mets is as sharp as his fastball command. “It was a lot of fun. A lot of hard work. A lot of great guys, a lot of baseball minds,” he said. The message entering spring of 1986 was blunt and binding. “Davey Johnson had a meeting. He said we’re not only going to win — we’re going to dominate. Everybody bought in.”
Leaders on the field and behind the plate were essential. Keith Hernandez was “like my second pitching coach on the field,” while the arrival of Gary Carter helped unlock Gooden’s peak. “No secret, I had the best year of my career,” Gooden said. The guidance of pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre kept him from getting complacent.
Before the majors, a single voice changed his trajectory. The late John Cumberland challenged Gooden to own the inner half, a mindset reset that took him from 0–3 to 19–4 with 300 strikeouts. “That one conversation changed everything.”
Gooden’s curveball — taught by his father at age nine — and his four-seam fastball formed a simple arsenal with layered intent. “My dad taught me to change speeds with the curve, add and subtract,” he said. With a loose wrist and fingers on the tips of the seams, the heater arrived with late life. Some hitters swore they could hear it coming.
His model came from four towering figures — Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, Bob Gibson, and J.R. Richard. “I took something from all four,” Gooden said, citing Ryan’s intimidation, Seaver’s complete command, Gibson’s total package, and Richard’s slider.
Gooden sees lineage in the modern mound. He likened Tarik Skubal’s presence to Steve Carlton and praised the polish of Paul Skenes. He singled out Jacob Misiorowski after seeing him face Skenes and lit up at the mention of Chase Burns striking out five straight Yankees.
Gooden stays close to the game through camps and clinics on Long Island, regular visits to Mets and Yankees games, and family life. Fans can find him on Instagram at @docgooden16.
Reginald Armstrong: Rookie of the Year in 1984. Triple Crown pitcher in 1985. Let the record show: 24 wins, a Bob Gibson-esque 1.53 ERA, and 268 strikeouts — the most ever by the youngest at the tender age of 20. That last number? Only Bob Feller came close, with 261 strikeouts at age 21 back in 1940. The next year, in this theme of triple crowns, Gooden stood atop baseball’s mountaintop as a world champion in ’86. His first three seasons weren’t just dominant — they were seismic. He was the phenom who lit up Queens and remains one of the most electrifying arms the game has ever seen. I present to you, Dwight “Doc” Gooden. Doc, thanks for being here.
Dwight Gooden: Hey, family.
Reginald: What was it like being a member of that ’86 team with all that firepower, personality — things numbers can’t teach?
Gooden: It was a lot of fun. A lot of hard work. A lot of great guys, a lot of baseball minds. Guys that loved the game, loved each other. We had competition with each other — friendly competition. In ’84, we finished behind the Cubs. In ’85, we won 98 games but went home. So in ’86, when we came to spring training, Davey Johnson had a meeting. He said we’re not only going to win — we’re going to dominate. Everybody bought in. And that was our whole mindset.
Reginald: And you dominated for real. What role did top catcher Gary Carter, arguably the finest first baseman of all time Keith Hernandez, and ace pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre play in shaping your early years?
Gooden: Unbelievable. Keith was like my second pitching coach on the field in ’84. He knew the league, was a true captain, led by example. In ’85, we traded for Gary Carter — no secret, I had the best year of my career. Gary was a leader, knew the league, had great experience. Mel Stottlemyre challenged me before starts so I didn’t get complacent. He was just a great man, like my second father away from home. I miss Mel every day.
Reginald: Was there a coach or voice in the minors who helped center your rhythm before the spotlight arrived?
Gooden: Most definitely. The late John Cumberland. I started off 0-3 and they were going to send me down. He said, “No, we’re not going to do that. I’m going to work with him.” We didn’t work on mechanics — we talked about pitching inside. I was afraid to pitch inside after hitting a kid in the head in high school. He told me, “If a guy hits the ball hard off you, knock the next guy down.” We did that for eight starts — I went from 0-3 to 8-3, then finished 19-4 with 300 strikeouts. That one conversation changed everything.
Reginald: Your skipper Davey Johnson projected calm, at least on TV. Was there more fire under that demeanor than people realized?
Gooden: If you had to bring it out, he’d bring it out. Greatest guy — a players’ manager. Sat in the back of the plane, played cards, went out to eat with us. But he had rules. Break them and you’d see the other side. One rule? Make curfew. Didn’t matter who you were, you broke it, he’d let you know.
Reginald: Let’s talk pitch craft. What made your curveball so lethal?
Gooden: My dad taught me at age nine. I wouldn’t recommend that for kids, but it worked for me. I had two pitches — fastball and curveball — but my dad taught me to change speeds with the curve, add and subtract. That turned two pitches into four. Even when opponents knew my pitches, they couldn’t hit them.
Reginald: But that heater… was it grip, wrist action, deception, angle?
Gooden: All of the above. My dad taught me a loose wrist, four-seam grip, fingers on the tips of the seams. Nice and easy on top, get that whip, late movement. Some hitters said they could hear it coming. I give all the credit to my dad. My only regret is never asking where he learned it all.
Reginald: Who were your pitching idols growing up?
Gooden: Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, Bob Gibson, J.R. Richard. Nolan had the fastball, intimidation, the stare. Seaver was a pitcher — knew how to pitch, not just throw. Gibson? Total package — could pitch, strike you out, knock you down. J.R. Richard had the slider. I took something from all four.
Reginald: And today’s game — any arms remind you of those legends?
Gooden: Tarik Skubal has some Steve Carlton in him — big lefty, power, knows how to pitch. Paul Skenes too — big guy with a full arsenal. Jacob Misiorowski — I saw him face Skenes, great matchup. I love watching pitcher vs. pitcher, especially young guys. Chase Burns? Struck out five straight Yankees last week — amazing.
Reginald: What about Cincinnati’s young rotation?
Gooden: They’re coming. Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Burns — and with Terry Francona managing, that’s the right guy to lead them.
Reginald: From electric lights at Shea to now, what keeps you busy?
Gooden: My Instagram’s @docgooden16. I run camps and clinics in Long Island, go to Mets and Yankees games, watch my grandkids play. My youngest son just transferred to Sacramento State for football. Between family, camps, and baseball, that’s my life.
Reginald: Your journey lit up the game, and your reflections continue to teach. Thank you for being with us at World Baseball Network.
Gooden: Thank you, buddy.
