Dwight Gooden of the New York Mets becomes the youngest pitcher to win 20 games in a season

August 25, 1985August 25, 2019 Pitching Feats

On August 25, 1985 — At the age of 20 years, 9 months, 9 days, Dwight Gooden becomes the youngest 20-game winner ever when the Mets beat San Diego at Shea Stadium, 9-3. Doc is 27 days younger than former Indian hurler Bob Feller, who accomplished the feat with Cleveland in 1939.

He will win the NL Cy Young Award and the pitching Triple Crown, compiling a 24–4 record and a league-leading 1.53 ERA, 268 strikeouts, and 16 complete games in 1985. In 86 he will the Mets win the 1986 World Series.

Sadly, Gooden remained an effective pitcher in subsequent years, but he will only once have an era under 3, and never win more than 13 games in a season after age 26. His career was ultimately derailed by cocaine and alcohol addiction.

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