Remembering Mets History (1987) Dwight Gooden's First Start After Rehab

Friday June 5th, 1987: On this night, 51, 402 fans came out to Shea Stadium (including centerfieldmaz) to see the return of Dwight Gooden as he was making his first start of the 1987 season. 

Gooden had just returned from his first drug rehab assignment. This coming after his substance abuse problems during the Mets 1986 Championship season. In his book, Gooden admitted to missing the Mets victory parade after spending all night in a Long Island crack den.

Davey Johnson's World Champion Mets were struggling at this point in the season (25-25) lingering in fourth place. Tonight, they took on Jim Leyland's last place Pittsburgh Pirates (23-27). 

There was a big standing ovation as the Mets took the field & Dwight Gooden walked to the pitcher's mound for the first time in 1987. It was an emotional connection between Doctor K & the fans, one he later said he always remembered.

In the top of the 1st, the crowd cheered even louder as Gooden struck out his first batter, Barry Bonds. Gooden got two pop ups to end the 1st inning.

The Mets responded for their pitcher right away, in the bottom of the 1st, Wally Backman drew a one out walk & then advanced when Mike Dunne balked. Keith Hernandez then grounded to third base where Jim Morrison made an error, Backman reached third & Hernandez reached first base safely on. Then Gary Carter walked to load the bases. 

Darryl Strawberry then grounded to short where Rafael Belliard made the second Pirate error of the inning. Backman scored; Hernandez went to third, Carter to second & Strawberry to first. Next Hernandez scored when Mookie Wilson grounded to short for a 2-0 Mets lead.

In the 3rd, Rafael Belliard walked & advanced on a sacrifice. He then advanced on Andy Van Slyke's single, then scored on Johnny Rays sac fly. 

Gooden had a fine outing, pitching into the 7th inning, allowing just one run, on four hits. He walked four & struck out five. 

In the top of the 7th, Gooden struck out Ron Reynolds to start the inning. He then allowed a single to catcher Mike LaValliere, then a double to Barry Bonds. Gooden then walked John Cangelosi to load the bases. 

Davey Johnson took out Gooden & he exited to a standing ovation. Jesse Orosco came on & struck out Barry Bonds to end the inning. 

In the bottom of the 6th inning Gary Carter led off with a single. Darryl Strawberry then doubled putting runners on second & third. Next Carter got thrown out at home attempting to score on Mookie Wilson's grounder to first base. Lee Mazzilli came on to pinch hit, hitting a sac fly to left field scoring Strawberry, making it 3-1 Mets.

The Mets added two runs in the 7th, when Tim Teufel singled & Keith Hernandez tripled him in. Gary Carter then doubled topping off the 5-1 Mets win as Hernandez scored.

Jesse Orosco finished the game with 2.1 scoreless innings of relief earning his 11th save of the year.

Gooden would collect his first win & go 15-7 on the year leading the Mets staff in victories, ERA (3.21) complete games (7) & shut outs (3). His 167 strike outs were second to the staff to Ron Darling. That year the Mets came back as the season went on but finished second to the St. Louis Cardinals (92-70) just three games back.