Former New York Mets ace Dwight “Doc” Gooden gushes over the current version, NL Cy Young award winner Jacob deGrom.
Old ace loves new ace. It’s an age-old big-league baseball story that never ceases momentum.
When recently speaking about an upcoming fantasy camp that’ll feature his once golden arm on the mound yet again, Dwight “Doc” Gooden couldn’t help but gush over the New York Mets current ace Jacob deGrom, via Andy Clayton of the New York Daily News.
“Obviously, I’m a little biased, and a little old school, but I like the 2-1 ballgames. Watching him pitch every fifth day and what he did on a consistent basis was just truly amazing.”
In addition, he provided a two thumbs up in relation to the way young Brodie Van Wagenen has handled his first hot stove as general manager.
“At first I was a little curious to see how it was going to work out with the new general manager, but so far I like him being aggressive. … I don’t know how much of a leash he has – how much (The Wilpons) give him – but so far he’s been going great. He seems like a young guy that wants to win and isn’t afraid to take chances. He’s looking at guys that can help the team now.
“I always thought that in New York you have to win now, you can’t rebuild or try to look down the road, you go for it now. They have a pitching staff now – I don’t know how long you can keep these guys together – but you have to go for it now.”
Gooden, who is planning a Spring Training appearance with his first MLB team in Port St. Lucie, has his work cut out for him on the mound. He’ll be pitching to all-star fantasy baseball campers from Jan. 13-19 and then again during Jan. 20-26.
It’s costly to be struck out by the man the kids call Dr. K. A cool $4,995 is what the campers shell out for the opportunity. Gooden loves it.
“I just try to throw it right down the middle and hopefully they hit it at somebody,” Gooden admits.
If only 1985 Dwight “Doc” Gooden could reincarnate himself and join the current staff led by Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard. Now that’s what I’d call a big-league fantasy camp.
