Story Created:
Mar 17, 2010 at 9:33 PM EST
Story Updated:
Mar 17, 2010 at 9:33 PM EST
ROME, N.Y. – Major League Baseball Player and New York Mets Pitcher Dwight “Doc” Gooden will share his story of baseball with Central New Yorkers at the seventh annual “Legends of the Diamond Dinner” on Tuesday, May 4 at 6 p.m. at the Beeches Inn and Conference Center in Rome, New York, hosted by the Rome Lions and Lake Delta Kiwanis. Gooden is the youngest All-Star selection in baseball history and at the age of 20, he became the youngest pitcher in baseball history to win the Cy Young award in 1985.
Net proceeds from this fundraising event will support the Rome Lions and Lake Delta Kiwanis. Tickets are $60 for adults and $35 for children under age 12. Ticket price includes a delicious, sit down dinner, admission to cash bar cocktail hour and an opportunity to meet Gooden and to ask for his autograph. Tickets for the event can be purchased by calling 339-7328, 339-3798 or 337-7530. Sponsorships are also available.
All attendees will also have the opportunity to join Gooden at his table for dinner. Just before dinner, a free raffle will be held and several attendees’ names will be pulled to join Gooden. Throughout the evening, additional raffles will be held. Attorney Greg Mattacola will be the moderator.
Gooden made his major-league debut on April 7, 1984 with the New York Mets. The 19-year-old rookie quickly developed a reputation with his 98 MPH fastball and sweeping curveball. That season, Gooden won 17 games. As the youngest All-Star selection in baseball history, Gooden showed his dominance by striking out the 3 all-stars he faced in that game. Gooden won eight of his last nine starts; in his final three starts of the 1984 season, he had 41 strikeouts and 1 walk. Gooden led the league in strikeouts in his rookie season and also set the record for most strikeouts in three consecutive starts with 43. As a 19-year-old rookie, Gooden set the then-major league record for strikeouts per 9 innings, with 11.39. He was voted the Rookie of The Year in 1984.
In 1985, Gooden pitched one of the most statistically dominating single seasons in baseball history. Leading Major League Baseball with 24 wins, 268 strikeouts, and a 1.53 ERA (the second lowest in the Live Ball Era. His 1985 performance earned “Doc” the pitching Triple Crown for most wins, strikeouts and lowest ERA. Gooden in an inductee of the New York Mets Hall of Fame.
According to Chair and Rome Lions Club member Larry Giardino, the Legends of the Diamond Dinner has earned a reputation as an exceptionally successful event that helps the Lions and Kiwanis better serve the needs of the children and adults in Rome.
“Both clubs serve the community in many ways including the Reading is Fundamental, Coats for Kids and Gift of Life programs,” said Giardino. “The Lions also provide financial assistance for the needy to purchase eye glasses, eye exams and hearing aids and student scholarship programs and Christmas parties for children and seniors in need.” Giardino said that the clubs also donate equipment and supplies to worthwhile not-for-profit organizations and support youth recreational programs in the Greater Rome Area.
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