The Mets received even more bad news when Carlos Mendoza reportedly revealed the retirement of two of his best players, who were unable to…
Next season, the Mets will give the highest honors to two key players from their previous World Series-winning squad.
The Mets revealed on Thursday that Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry will have their jersey numbers retired at Citi Field in 2024 at different ceremonies.
The third and fourth retirements in owner Steve Cohen’s ownership of the team will occur. In left field, Strawberry’s No. 18 and Gooden’s No. 16 will be suspended over the upper deck.
Keith Hernandez’s No. 17 was ceremoniously retired by the Mets during the previous season. Later in the year, on Old Timers’ Day, Willie Mays’ No. 24 was unexpectedly retired.
With 252 home runs, Strawberry owns the franchise record, and Gooden won the 1985 National League Cy Young Award after what is widely considered to be the greatest brilliant season by a starting pitcher in Mets history.
The Mets won the 1986 World Series with the aid of both outstanding players.
“I’m excited that two legendary players from the 1986 championship club will have their numbers retired in 2024,” the owner of the Mets, Steve Cohen, stated in a news release. “Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry both had a significant influence on our franchise, and it is an honor to uphold our dedication to honoring our amazing past.”
Early in their careers, Strawberry and Gooden were headed for the Hall of Fame, but alcohol and drug abuse wrecked both of them.
Since then, Strawberry has been ordained as a minister and speaks out against addiction across the nation.
The Post questioned him in April about whether the younger Darryl Strawberry would accept the changes the elder version of him had undergone.
“I would have chuckled,” expressed Strawberry. “I believe that everyone was laughing [when he began his ministry], thinking about how good I was at baseball and how angry I used to be.”
The drinking, the drug use, the womanizing, the turmoil. I would have laughed and said, “No way,” sixteen years ago when I was called to the ministry and became a gospel pastor who traveled the nation 260 days a year, preaching and giving people hope.
“I was called to begin preaching the gospel sixteen years ago, from the same place that I was called.” I’ve never turned around. Since then, I’ve continued on, and I intend to continue helping as many people as I can for the remainder of my life.
In a statement released on Thursday, Strawberry said he became upset when Cohen called him regarding the number of retirements.
Strawberry remarked, “I started to think back on my journey through the organization.” “Even though there were ups and downs, I am ultimately proud of my time spent in New York.”
Pitching for the Mets for 11 seasons, Gooden was the 1984 National League Rookie of the Year winner, one year after Strawberry took home the trophy.
Gooden remarked, “I want to express my gratitude to the fans who have stood by me both in good and bad times.” Without their support, I would not have survived.
Being honored to have their number retired is the highest honor a player can receive. My parents would be pleased with this, and I know they are grinning down from heaven.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Gooden continued, “As we look ahead, the prospect of seeing my number displayed at the stadium next year fills me with profound emotion.” I will always be reminded of and appreciate my parents whenever I look at them.
Their memory is honored with this outstanding honor. Sincere gratitude and love to all of you.
Together with Hernandez and Mays, the other retiring Mets players are Tom Seaver (41), Mike Piazza (31), and Jerry Koosman (36).
