Dwight Gooden had a pleasant surprise Sunday as Darryl Strawberry attended Gooden’s jersey number retirement ceremony at Citi Field after suffering a heart attack in March.
“I didn’t know until I met him today,” Gooden said of finding out his former teammate would be attending.
With Gooden’s No. 16 jersey being retired and Strawberry receiving the same honor on June 1st with No. 18, it’s clearly fitting that the two former Mets stars will both be in Queen’s. Ta.
No duo has more to do with the Mets’ last World Series win in 1986 than the two freshmen who burst onto the scene 40 years ago.
Gooden said they still keep in touch and realize how connected they are among their fan base.
“It’s great to meet Darryl,” Gooden said. “It’s always going to be Daryl and Doc, Doc and Daryl. We’ll always be connected.”
Strawberry, who is still recovering from a heart attack, did not speak to reporters before Sunday’s ceremony, but SNY captured the pair embracing earlier in the day.
Even before Strawberry’s recent health scare, a reunion wasn’t always guaranteed.
Both have battled substance abuse issues and have been at odds at various times.
“I’m very happy for him and what he’s accomplished,” Gooden said of Strawberry’s success. “I love Darryl as a human being. Obviously, we’ve had our ups and downs. Things happen. As you get closer, that’s what happens, but we were able to work it out. ”
Gooden, 59, and Strawberry, 62, are on good terms these days.
“I think we’re close now,” Gooden said. “I’m so happy to have met him. I was glad that he had the opportunity to be here today. When he celebrates that day on June 1st, I’ll be as excited about him as I am today.” You will be happy.”
The two have been in a relationship since Gooden joined Strawberry in the major leagues in the 1984 season, a year after Strawberry made his MLB debut.
Gooden said Sunday that they were neighbors in Port Washington early in their careers and often drove to Shea Stadium together from Long Island.
“He helped me a lot because of what he was going through, he talked to me about things,” Gooden said.
The two will reunite when Strawberry is honored in June.
“I’m so happy to see Darryl here and for him to be able to travel,” said Mookie Wilson, one of his former teammates in attendance Sunday. “We’ve known that the relationship between Darryl and Doc hasn’t been good for a while. But it’s already been resolved and [Strawberry] Making the effort to get here today shows you what you need to know. ”
