Bruce's Journal

Bruce Slutsky was born in New York City in 1949. I retired six years ago after working as a Science/Engineering Librarian at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark for 25 years. I was married to Karen until she passed away in February 2021. I have a son Lee who is now 35 years old. I am very much interested in the popular music of the 1960s, especially Bob Dylan and the Beatles. I am interested in rock and roll radio. I am an enthusiastic fan of the New York Mets.

Thursday, August 24, 2023

Congratulations to Dwight Gooden and Darrell Strawberry for Having Their Numbers Retired by the Mets

Congratulations to Dwight Gooden and Darrell Strawbery for having their numbers retired by the Mets in 2024. Both were instrumental in the Mets World Series victory in 1986.

There are no written rules on criteria for when a former player's number can be retired. Under previous owners, only 37-Casey Stengel, 14-Gil Hodges and 41-Tom Seaver's numbers were retired. Since Steve Cohen became owner 17-Keith Hernandez, 36-Jerry Koosman, Mike Pizza-31 and Willie Mays-24 had their numbers retired. Certainly, in the years to come David Wright-5 will have his number retired. It is possible that the Mets will retire Gary Carter-8.

Sadly, Gooden and Strawberry had problems with drug abuse. I am certain that their problems are in the past and we should honor them for their accomplishments.