Remembering Mets History (1984) Dwight Gooden Sets Rookie Record For Most Strikeouts In a Season

Wednesday September 12th, 1984: On this night Dwight Gooden set the single season strike out record for Rookies, in what was one of his most dazzling performances of the year as well as his career. centerfieldmaz was one of 12,876 at Shea Stadium that night to witness, in person Doctor K at his best.

Davey Johnson's Mets (81-65) had had an exciting year, which was the first winning season for the franchise since 1976. Among the highlights was Rookie phenom, Dwight Gooden. Although the Mets would finish second to the Cubs that year, they were not mathematically out of the pennant race just yet.

They were seven games out with sixteen left to play, hence the small crowd. Personally, after being on hand for so many of Gooden's games that season, I had to be at this one to see another record broken.

Dwight Gooden went up against John Tudor for Chuck Tanner's sixth place Pittsburgh Pirates (63-83). Tudor would move on the St, Louis Cardinals the next year & become a key member of their staff in the Mets-Cardinals rivalry over the next few seasons.

Gooden actually started out the 1st inning with no strike outs but retiring the side in order. 

In the top of the 2nd inning, Gooden struck out Tony Pen & Jim Morrison. 

In the top of the 3rd, he started the inning fanning Doug Frobel & Denny Gonzalez, to total 4 K's.

In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Gooden collected one of two hits on the night. He was later thrown out at home plate trying to score on Kelvin Chapman's base hit.

That year he collected 14 hits & batted .200 with three RBIs.

In the top of the 4th inning, Gooden fanned Lee Lacy to start the inning. Johnny Ray then singled. Jason Thompson flew out to left, then Gooden struck out Tony Pena for number six.

In the home 4th inning, Keith Hernandez led off with a base hit. Hubbie Brooks then hit a two run HR giving the Mets & Gooden all, they needed. It was Brooks' 16th HR of the year. Everyone just sat back, cheered & watched Dr. K go to work.

By now Dr. Ks fastball was rising, as he was just blowing hitters away. No one had a chance. The ball could be heard popping in catcher, Mike Fitzgerald's glove throughout Shea Stadium. The fans cheered every pitch & rose chanting every time there was two strike outs. 

The K Korner in left field was putting up the K Cards with every Pirate that went down on a strike out. These were good times at Shea Stadiums, times that fans tried to relieve in years to come. 

But if you weren't there in Gooden's heyday you will never know how special it was to see him pitch & the electric energy, he set off at Shea Stadium.

In the top of the 5th inning, Gooden struck out the side, overpowering Jim Morrison, Doug Frobel & Denny Gonzalez to total nine strikeouts on the night.

Rookie Record Strike Outs: In the top of the 6th inning, with the crowd aware of the record about to be tied, Shea was on its feet as Gooden struck out John Tudor to tie Herb Score's rookie strike out record of 245 set in 1955. 

Then Marvell Wynne stepped in & Doc struck him out for the season rookie strike out record #246. 

It was also Gooden's 11th K on the night. 

In the top of the 7th Gooden struck out Tony Pena & Jim Morrison for the third time each, getting to 13 Ks on the night. In the top of the 8th inning, he fanned Doug Frobel & Denny Gonzalez for their third time each as well, to reach 15 strike outs. 

Mets Rookie Record: The 15th strikeout in the game set a new franchise record for rookie pitchers, passing Nolan Ryan's former club record of 14 set in 1968.

Pinch hitter Joe Orsulak then singled for the Pirates fourth hit of the night. With the crowd on their feet cheering the youngster on, Gooden then struck out Marvell Wynne for his 16th strike out of the night.

Mets Trivia: Gooden's 16 Ks were the most for a Mets pitcher in the last ten years since Tom Seaver struck out 16 Dodgers on May 1st, 1974.

In the top of the 9th, Gooden did not record any strike outs, it was the only inning besides the 1st that he had no strike outs.

He finished up with a five-hit shutout walking no one. 

Gooden would strike out 16 more batters in his next outing, although he took a 2-1 loss to Shane Rawley & the Phillies. From August 27th thru September 17th, Doc would have five straight games with ten or more strike outs. Dating back to August 11th he had seven double digit strike out games in nine starts.

Mets Double Digit K Record: On the season the 19-year-old Gooden would strike out ten or more batters in a game 14 times, breaking Tom Seaver's record set in 1971. 

After Gooden broke Herb Score's record, Score who was an Indian's broadcaster for 29 years (1968-1997) appeared on the Shea Stadium Diamond Vision with the message ''Congratulations. You're a fine-looking young pitcher, & I wish you a great deal of success for many years to come.''

Quotes: Dwight Gooden- ''Sometimes, you think about it, you think about it going home, or lying in bed before falling asleep. You think, 'Am I dreaming?' It's a great, great feeling.''

Quotes- Darryl Strawberry: ''He's going to be one of the overpowering pitchers in the game. It's most unusual to see a 19-year-old come up here and set records. He should win rookie of the year hands up. I can't see anybody close to him. But I don't think he's going to get excited by any of this. He doesn't get excited about anything.''

Gooden went on to win the 1984 Rookie of the Year Aard, leading the NL in strike outs (276) going 17-9 with three shut outs, seven complete games & a 2.60 ERA (2nd in the NL).