Mets History Today: November 19th - Dwight Gooden Wins the 1984 Rookie Of the Year Award

NY Daily News, 11/20/1984

Happy Birthday Francisco Alvarez.  

In 1984, Dwight Gooden won the NL Rookie Of Year award.  Gooden went 17-9 with a 2.60 ERA in 218 innings pitched with a league leading 276 strikeouts.  He also led the lead with a 1.073 WHIP, 6.6 Hits per 9 innings, .3 HRs per 9 innings, and 11.4 Ks per 9 innings.

The amazing thing is that Gooden's election was not unanimous. Though he finished 1st on 23 of the 24 ballots, Dave Nightengale of The Sporting News placed Juan Samuel first on the ballot saying "I believe in a position player over a pitcher in any award where both are eligible."

That was despite the numerous records in 1984 that Gooden broke which the NY Daily News Printed:

11/19/1984 Doc Gooden receives 23 of 24 first-place votes and is named the National League Rookie of the Year. In his first season, Gooden posted a 2.60 ERA and led the majors in WHIP (1.07), strikeouts (276), K/9 (11.4), and H/9 (6.6).@DocGooden16 pic.twitter.com/7xhKhDK6rg

— This Day in Mets History (@NYMhistory) November 19, 2025

One year ago today, the Mets traded RHP Eric Orze for CF Jose Siri.

PRESS RELEASE, STATS - METS ACQUIRE OUTFIELDER JOSE SIRI FROM TAMPA BAY "The New York Mets today announced they have acquired outfielder Jose Siri from Tampa Bay in exchange for RHP Eric Orze. Siri, 29, had 16 doubles, 18 homers, 47 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 130 games with the Rays last season. He had a 1.8 WAR according to Baseball Reference. The 6-2, 210-pounder was tied for second among all outfielders in runs prevented and outs above average according to MLB Statcast. Additionally, he also ranked ninth in the majors in sprint speed last season according to MLB Statcast."

The deal worked out better for the Rays as Orze pitched in 33 games with a 3.02 ERA in 41.2 innings, 1.368 WHIP.  Jose Siri fractured his left tibia after fouling a ball off his leg on April 12, 2025.  He appeared in just 36 games for the Mets slashing .063/.167/.125, 0 HRs, 1 RBI. 

Also, one year ago, Carlos Mendoza finished third in the NL Manager of the Year contest.  After a rough start, he led the Mets to the playoffs, gaining entry on the last day of the season.  They went on to beat the Brewers in the Wild Card Series and the Phillies in the Divisional Series before losing 4 games to 2 against the eventual World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers.  

Carlos Mendoza finishes third in 2024 NL Manager of the Year race https://t.co/nmJ1gwAX7g pic.twitter.com/sE7OA2Sx1e

— SNY (@SNYtv) November 19, 2024

Carlos Mendoza finishing THIS far back in the Manager of the Year voting doesnt feel quite right if you ask me. pic.twitter.com/8OTKr08IQP

— Just Mets (@just_mets) November 20, 2024

"I would say every stop along the way kind of helped me get into this position."@Mets manager Carlos Mendoza talks about the road to becoming an NL Manager of the Year finalist. pic.twitter.com/G2yPTS1WnV

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 19, 2024

Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com: 

Born on this date:

• Gary Disarcina (1967)
• Michael Tonkin (1989)
• Francisco Alvarez (2001)

Transactions:

Pittsburgh Pirates claimed Terry McDaniel of the New York Mets on waivers on November 19, 1991.

Colorado Rockies signed Howard Johnson of the New York Mets as a free agent on November 19, 1993.

New York Mets signed free agent Gabriel Ynoa on November 19, 2009.

New York Mets signed free agent Ty Kelly on November 19, 2015.

New York Mets traded Eric Orze to the Tampa Bay Rays for Jose Siri on November 19, 2024.

National Pastime.com:

1993

Former Mets All-star infielder Howard Johnson, who will turn 33 at the end of the month, becomes the first free agent to sign with another team this off-season when he agrees to a one-year deal worth $2,100,000 to play for the Rockies. The switch-hitting slugger, who led the National League in homers (38) and RBIs (117) two years ago, has seen his production drop in recent seasons, primarily due to injuries.

2002

Jesse Orosco, the 24-year veteran who is the all-time leader in games pitched at 1,187, agrees to a one-year contract with the Padres estimated to worth $800,000. The 45 year-old lefty reliever, who started his major league career with the Mets in 1979 after being traded by the Twins for Jerry Koosman, is the oldest player in the majors.