NLCS rematch brings back painful memories for Mets legends Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden

NEW YORK − Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden are living legends in New York.

They won a World Series together in 1986, broke numerous records, had their jerseys retired and were inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame.

Yet, when the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets stepped onto the field Wednesday to play Game 3 of the National League Championship Series at Citi Field, the bitter and painful memories of 36 years ago came pouring back.

This, after all, is the first time these two teams have played against one another in the NLCS since 1988, suddenly resurrecting the angst they’ve desperately tried to recess in their souls.

“I was having a great day until you brought that up,’’ Gooden said laughing.

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Said Strawberry: "The '88 series against the Dodgers was heartbreaking. I’ve never gotten over that, of losing that '88 series.’’

He wasn’t laughing.

The Mets, who won the 1986 World Series, were the most talented and star-studded team in the National League in 1988. They went 100-60, and won the NL East Division by 15 games. They pummeled the Dodgers during the season, winning 10 of 11 games, outscoring them 49-10. The baseball world eagerly awaited the dream World Series matchup of the Mets and Oakland A’s.

But, the Dodgers refused to cooperate and stunned the world when they beat the Mets in seven games in the NLCS, setting the stage for Kirk Gibson’s epic walk-off homer in Game 1 of the World Series, beating the A’s in five games.

It was the last time the Dodgers won the World Series in a full season.

The Mets haven’t won it since ’86.

So, when the Dodgers knocked off the San Diego Padres in the NLDS to face the Mets, it was only natural for this rematch to resurrect all of the memories of ’88.

“How could I not think of '88,’’ Strawberry said, “'88 sucked for me. I've never got over that, of losing that ’88 series. But you’ve got to remember the Dodgers were extremely hot coming in, playing at the end of the season. And they had some big moments, the (Mike) Scioscia home run, Gibson, that big home run. They just did things right.’’

The loss was so painful that Strawberry couldn’t help but jab Gooden, reminding him of his meltdown in Game 4. The Mets, leading the series 2 games to 1, were on the brink of putting the series on ice. They were leading 4-2 in the ninth inning with Gooden on the mound. Gooden had given up just one hit and four baserunners in the first eight innings, but he walked John Shelby to lead off the ninth.

“I don't know how Doc walked T-Bone Shelby,’’ Strawberry said, looking at him. “All he had to do was bounce one up there.’’

The next batter, Dodgers catcher Mike Scioscia, hit a two-run homer to tie the game at 4-apiece. Three innings later, Kirk Gibson, who was in a 1-for-16 slump, hit a two-out homer in the 12^th, and the Dodgers won 5-4.

Just like that, the Dodgers were alive and had all of the momentum, leading to their stunning NLCS upset.

“Obviously from '88, what I remember is the Mike Scioscia home run in Game 5,’’ Gooden said, “because if we won that game, we go up 3-1. Obviously, I made a bad pitch to Mike Scioscia in the ninth. He hit the home run.’’

The Dodgers then steamrolled past the heavily-favored Oakland A’s, winning the World Series in five games.

“It made me feel better when they went on to (beat) that Oakland team,’’ Strawberry said, “which was supposed to be the team of the century that year, better than everybody else. Made me feel better after seeing that. I kind of just was able to turn it over.

“It was hard to turn that 1988 series over, but I had to eventually leave it there and get past it.’’

Still, after all of these years, it still stings, Gooden and Strawberry say. They’re convinced their ’88 team was better than their World Series championship team that came back and beat the Boston Red Sox in 1986.

“The '88 team on paper was probably better than the '86 team on paper,’’ Gooden said. “But I think the '86 team, we had chemistry, we had heart. What I mean by that, we were a lot closer than just ball players. We spent more time together than we did with our families at that time.

“We spent a lot of time together on the road. I think that plays a big part of getting to know your teammates personally. So I would I say '88 on paper is probably a little bit better, but the '86 team, I'd put that team against anybody.’’

Said Strawberry: “The '88 team was more talented than the '86 team. The '86 team had more guts than '88 team. It was just a different breed of players with Ray Knight, Kevin Mitchell, players that didn't fear the situation and the opportunity. … The '86 series, we had players on the team that sat on the bench. And if you got ahead in ball game against us, we knew we were coming back and would win.

“That was the difference. We didn't have that kind of same feeling (in ‘88). The chemistry was different. … We were crazy. We were a different breed. … We had a different personality. We had a lot of swagger about ourselves. We didn't care. We didn't care what people think about us. You didn't like us? Oh well. …

“It was a lot of fun being who we were back in those days.’’

Now, 36 years later, this legendary duo is hoping that this Mets team, which is a decisive underdog to the Dodgers, can pull off what they couldn’t accomplish back in their day.

The Mets weren’t the most talented team in their own division this year, much less the National League. They didn’t get into the postseason until the last day of the season. They were down to their final two outs in the NL wild card series against Milwaukee before Pete Alonso’s game-winning, three-run homer. And now they are facing the richer, more powerful, more talented Dodgers.

“I think these guys really believe in themselves, which is good,’’ Strawberry said. “They had a great run at the end of the season to get to this place. (Francisco) Lindor has come up with some big hits for them in crucial situations. That's what it takes to get to this next level to be able to get to the National League Championship, and advance and try to get to the Series. …

“I hope the Mets get the revenge back and beat them for the '88 season that we lost to them.’’

If they do, and the Mets win it all, Strawberry says, they will be forever remembered in this city, just like everyone from that ’86 team is still revered.

“I would say they would get a lot of free food, and a lot of free clothes,’’ Strawberry said, “because when you win here, the people in this city take care of you. I know that for us when we won in '86 and we came back, we never had to pay for anything.

“It's a great place to win. It's a great place to have fun because when you win in a place like New York City, you are bigger than life because this is a tough place to play, and the expectations are real.

“Once you get ahold of that, and you're the champions of the city, the city will embrace you.’’

The Mets, in particular Gooden and Strawberry, with Strawberry throwing the first ceremonial pitch to Gooden, can’t wait to see it once again for themselves.

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