[Eric72]

There are plenty of stats to support the notion that other pitchers in their prime were better than Doc in his prime. I saw Gooden with my own eyes, though. Not through a camera lens, not on a stat sheet. I saw Gooden pitch in person.

It still stands out as the most impressive display of pitching I've ever witnessed. I was in a lower level seat (200 level, Veteran's Stadium) on the third base side. I had the perfect vantage point to watch each pitch from pitcher's hand to catcher's mitt. The combination of speed and movement made it difficult to even track the ball with my eyes. I could only imagine trying to hit the damn thing.

Yes, he had short peak. Yes, he had some off-the-field issues. Still, Dwight Gooden was one hell of a pitcher.

I wouldn't call him the all-time best ever; however, the Mets retiring his number makes sense to me.