By Tom Jordan
Gooden attends Little League banquet
Dwight Gooden, whose surprising comeback in midseason aided the Yankees' run to a fourth World Series championship in five years, provided another boost last week as he helped the Rockville Centre Little League celebrate the conclusion of its 50th season. And though the man once commonly referred to as "Dr. K" doesn't have the magic touch he once did, league president Bob Klein said he was pleased for the house call.
"I'm very excited that Doc is able to be here," Mr. Klein said of the heralded pitcher at the league's annual awards banquet Nov. 2. "He's a guy who had enormous success in the 1980's, went through some difficult times in the 90's and then fought back. He taught us all never to give up."
Wearing a championship ring from a previous World Series -- the one he earned as part of the current Yankees championship team is being designed and won't be ready until spring -- Mr. Gooden talked casually with well-wishers, posed for pictures and gave a brief speech after dinner.
"I think it was a fun night for everybody," Mr. Gooden would say later, as he signed autographs. "It brought back a lot of memories for me from when I played [Little League] in Tampa. I have two kids in Little League there now, and it's hard to get as many kids to come out and play anymore. I congratulate this whole organization."
The former phenom pitcher for the Mets and winner of almost 200 major-league games helped to pass out league trophies to the players. In some instances, exuberant parents went with their children to the front of the hall for the chance to shake the hand that has hurled baseballs past so many hitters.
Rich Starcia, whose daughter Katie was the recipient of the Most Valuable Player award for 10-year-old players, said of meeting Mr. Gooden, "I admire him. I appreciate what he's done."
Brian Poretz, winner of the Sportsmanship Award among 15-year-olds, and his dad are Mets fans who posed with Mr. Gooden. "We used to go see him pitch at Shea Stadium," David Poretz said.
As he introduced the guest speaker, Mr. Klein donned a Yankees cap and recalled that he predicted a 2000 Subway Series during last year's dinner. "And it's always a good year when the Yankees win," he said to a mixture of cheers and catcalls.
"There are three things we try to remind our kids: run out every ball, which the Mets did not; do not throw your bat, which Roger Clemens did," Mr. Klein said, drawing laughter from the audience, including Mr. Gooden. "And we have a man here who can reinforce another principle that we teach: never give up."
Mr. Klein referred to Mr. Gooden's breakout '84 rookie season as well as the Mets' '86 World Series championship and called him the "most dominant pitcher in all of baseball" before injuries and personal problems nearly ended his career.
"He could have easily given up," Mr. Klein said. "But Doc had something left." After serving a suspension from Major League Baseball in 1995, Mr. Gooden returned to the game with the Yankees in 1996, pitching a no-hitter against Seattle that year and helping the club to its first World Series championship since 1978. This year he again was given a reprieve by the Yankees, after he'd been released by Houston and Tampa Bay, and again he rewarded team owner George Steinbrenner's faith in him by contributing to a World Series winner.
More than 700 people, the largest turnout ever for a Rockville Centre Little League dinner, crammed into the Coral House in Baldwin for the event.
In addition to enjoying the presence of a big-leaguer, league officials recognized the overall success of their baseball program and the efforts of each player and coach. Mr. Klein called attention to the 74 championship banners hanging from the ceiling, the last of which honoring this year's district-winning team of 11- and 12-year-olds.
Floyd Grossman, a coach for the past 15 years and commissioner of the junior and senior leagues, was given the Mort Gellar Service award, the program's most prestigious honor.
"Mr. Grossman has unselfishly given of his time, and his actions have enhanced the image of our league. His sportsmanship is unmatched by any coach I have ever seen," Mr. Klein said. "If I ever were asked to define the ideal coach, it would take only two words: Floyd Grossman."
The program celebrated the start of its 50th season at the same location last April, but this time Doc Gooden's presence added to the excitement.
For Yankees and Mets fans both.
