Doc

A Memoir

By: Dwight Gooden, Ellis Henican

Narrated by: J. D. Jackson

Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

A brutally honest memoir of talent, addiction, and recovery from one of the greatest baseball pitchers of all time. As a shy 19-year-old, Dwight Gooden swept into New York, lifting a team of crazy characters to World Series greatness and giving a beleaguered city a reason to believe. Then he threw it all away.

Now, with fresh and sober eyes, the Mets’ beloved Dr. K shares the intimate details of his life and career, revealing all the extraordinary highs and lows: The hidden traumas in his close-knit Tampa family. The thrill and pressure of being a young baseball phenom in New York. The raucous days and nights with the Mets’ bad boys (and the real reason he missed the 1986 World Series victory parade). The self-destructive drug binges and the three World Series rings. His heartbreaking attempts at getting sober, the senseless damage to family and friends, and the unexpected way he finally saved his life - on VH1’s Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. In Doc, Gooden details his close friendships with many of baseball’s greats: Pete Rose, George Steinbrenner, Joe Torre, and nephew Gary Sheffield. For the first time ever, he reveals the full story of his troubled relationship with fellow Mets superstar Darryl Strawberry. And he tells the moving story of the Yankees no-hitter he pitched for his dying father. Doc is a riveting baseball memoir by one of the game’s most fascinating figures and an inspiring story for anyone who has faced tough challenges in life.

©2013 Dwight Gooden (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

At times this was hard to listen to

I'm a big baseball fan with plenty of experience with addiction. At times I was disgusted with his reaction to things that went on with his life. In the end he had somehow gone 'back' to those times and gave his honest assessment of what he felt at that time. He is truly fortunate to still be alive and that he can still have a relationship with his children.

Good Dr. K

You was one of my favorite pitchers in the 80s and 90s. I did not keep up with baseball after my mid 20s. I never remember these problems u had I wish u all the luck in the world. I was born in 1966.

Life changes

I am glad that I listened to this book. Addiction though very real is a predictable character. The book strives to get at the depth of reflection needed to truly change..

...Doctor K, delivers another strike

Doc is a refreshing look at the life of one of the greatest young pitchers of all time. I remember his rookie year, the World Series year and I remember the struggles with drugs. I am thankful he took an honest look at himself and presented it in a way that may help others become honest with themselves. Having worked in Substance Abuse Treatment I appreciate how he finally realized that being open and honest made life better. After all, "If you hide nothing, you have nothing to hide."

Interesting Memoir

This was an excellent book. I love baseball, although I'm more of a Yankee than a Mets fan; it was still interesting to hear all of the familiar names mentioned and to learn interesting tidbits abut the players and their lifestyles. I knew that Dwight had gone through some difficult times, but I had no idea of the extent of it until I listened to this book. I often wonder how people who seem to have it all - talent, money, fame, friends, and family - can throw it all away on alcohol and/or drugs. His story helped me to understand how it can happen and the power that addiction has over someone. I was happy that the book ended on such a positive note and hope that he continues with the positive changes in his life! The narrator was good and easy to listen to.

Started strong, then burned out

I was a big fan of Doctor K growing up. Man, he was inspiring on the mound. He had NASTY stuff. During his prime, I don't think there was a more feared pitcher in baseball history. Gooden suddenly appeared on the scene and was tearing up the MLB...

and then he faded away. I don't know how else to explain it.

The (audio)book is the same. It starts strong and kept me listening for a few hours, but his experiences in the major league and the excitement he stirred up wasn't captured in the book. By the way Gooden tells it, you'd never know he dominated baseball as he did.

Maybe Gooden is too humble, but it came off as flat. Them were the days.

Doc of Ks and living life one day at a time

A truly tragic yet inspiring story of a young man with insane skills on the baseball diamond who has fought his entire life with the demons of addiction to drugs and alcohol. The shattered lives he left in his wake as he sunk deeper and deeper into self destruction was tragic but thankfully he never hit bottom which to Doc is the grave. Here's to Doc as he continues his struggle to slay his demons every day one day at a time.

Good narrator... adequate book

Terrifying story of extreme talent wasted. Very typical for the 1980's. Sad and yet triumphant in the end. All and all a good story with excellent narration. I will look for more books from this narrator. I wish the best for "Doc" and his children.

Excellent Book

I could not stop listening to this book. Growing up a Mets fan I was always a fan of Doc.

Very powerful story

I picked this up because I like to listen to memoirs occasionally. Wow, this one blew my mind. The story digs deep into the life of an addict. It is a wake-up call to anyone who have given drugs even a tiny thought. Absolutely a wonderful listen.