Mets to retire Darryl Strawberry's #18 and Dwight Gooden's #16: 'Each had enormous impact on our franchise'

Dwight Gooden #16 and Darryl Strawberry #18 of the New York Mets look on from the dugout during a Major League Baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium in 1984 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Dwight Gooden #16 and Darryl Strawberry #18 of the New York Mets look on from the dugout during a Major League Baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium in 1984 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

 Photo credit George Gojkovich/Getty Images

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) -- Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden have joined an exclusive club: they are among a handful of Mets players to have their numbers retired -- a move announced by the team on Thursday.

Strawberry's No. 18 and Gooden's No. 16 will be retired in separate pre-game ceremonies in 2024. Those dates will be announced in the future, the team said.

“I’m thrilled that two iconic members of the 1986 championship club will have their numbers retired in 2024,” Mets owner Steve Cohen said. “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.”

Right-fielder Strawberry, 61, and pitcher Gooden, 58, will become the sixth and seventh players to have their number retired by the Mets, joining Tom Seaver (#41), Mike Piazza (#31), Jerry Koosman (#36), Keith Hernandez (#17) and Willie Mays (#24). In addition, the Mets have retired #14 for Manager Gil Hodges, #37 for Manager Casey Stengel and #42 across baseball for Jackie Robinson.

Darryl Strawberry puts a comradely arm around Dwight Gooden while standing on podium on April 28, 2017 in New York City. Gooden, who has long struggled with alcohol & cocaine addiction, had been incapacitated & unable to participate in the team's victory parade along Broadway thirty-one years prior.
Darryl Strawberry puts a comradely arm around Dwight Gooden while standing on podium on April 28, 2017 in New York City. Gooden, who has long struggled with alcohol & cocaine addiction, had been incapacitated & unable to participate in the team's victory parade along Broadway thirty-one years prior. Photo credit Andy Katz/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

Strawberry was a seven-time All-Star with the Mets after he was selected first overall in the 1980 June Draft. Strawberry earned National League Rookie of the Year honors in 1983 when he slugged a then-club rookie record 26 homers. Strawberry is the Mets all-time leader in home runs (252), ranks second in RBI (733) and walks (580), third in extra-base hits (469) and runs (662) and fourth in slugging (.520).

“When I got the call from Steve, I welled up with tears of joy,” said Strawberry, who was elected to the Mets Hall of Fame in 2010. “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."

Gooden won the 1984 NL Rookie of the Year Award while setting a major league rookie record with 276 strikeouts and was the youngest player ever named to an All-Star team at age 19. The following year, Doc became the youngest pitcher ever to win Cy Young honors when he captured the “Triple Crown” of pitching, leading the majors in wins (24), strikeouts (268) and ERA (1.53).

“I was completely overwhelmed when I got the call,” said Gooden, who was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame in 2010. “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."

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Joe B: Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry have to be next numbers retired by Mets

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Featured Image Photo Credit: George Gojkovich/Getty Images