On August 25 1985, the New York Mets’ Dwight Gooden became the youngest pitcher to win 20 games at just 20 years, 9 months, and 9 days old. The prodigious righthander, known for his devastating fastball, would also go on to win the National League Cy Young Award at the season’s conclusion.
Gooden reached the milestone in spectacular fashion, pitching a complete game in a 6-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants at Shea Stadium. He allowed three runs while striking out eight, improving his record to 20-3 and becoming just the 10th pitcher in Mets history to reach the 20-win plateau.
But Gooden’s 1985 season was about far more than simply winning 20 games. At an age when most players were still learning the nuances of professional baseball, he was dominating major-league hitters. He finished the regular season with a remarkable 24-4 record, a 1.53 ERA and 268 strikeouts in 276⅔ innings. His 24 victories tied the National League lead, while his ERA was the lowest in the majors.
Gooden’s brilliance earned him the unanimous National League Cy Young Award, making him the youngest player ever to win the honor at the time. He also finished fourth in the National League MVP voting.
Known affectionately as “Dr. K,” Gooden had already burst onto the scene as a 19-year-old rookie in 1984, winning 17 games and striking out 276 batters. But his sophomore season elevated him into superstardom and helped transform the Mets into one of baseball’s most formidable teams.
For one unforgettable summer, the young right-hander appeared virtually unhittable—and on August 25, 1985, he added another piece of history to a season that would become legendary.
