THREE-TIME WORLD SERIES CHAMPION DWIGHT GOODEN TO SPEAK AT ANNUAL CELEBRITY BREAKFAST
The Danbury Westerners, the longest tenured team in the New England Collegiate Baseball League, are excited to announce that they will be having their 23rd Annual Celebrity Breakfast on June 9th at 7:30AM at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury, CT. The Annual Celebrity Breakfast welcomes the 2017 Danbury Westerners to the greater Western Connecticut community. Furthermore, the Westerners are honored to announce that three-time World Series Champion, four-time All-Star, National League CY Young Award Recipient, and New York Mets Hall of Famer Dwight “Doc” Gooden, will be the speaker at this year’s annual Celebrity Breakfast.
At the Breakfast the Westerners will again be presenting the annual Michael Seri Award in honor of the late Michael Seri, for preserving community partnerships, dedication and sportsmanship on behalf of the Danbury Westerners. The first recipient in 2009 was Mr. Seri. Other past honorees include Bart Busterna, Mary Ann Frede, Richard Reimold, Gene Eriquez, Charlie Coakley, Chris Arconti, Bill Pullan, Chris Miller, Terry Whalen and Joseph Consentino.
Seating is limited so reservations are required. Tables of 10 for this event are $350, and can be secured online at www.danburywesterners.com or by mail to PO Box 3828, Danbury, CT 06813. Sponsorship opportunities are available; for additional information please contact Paul Schaffer at 203-241-4655.
Over his 16-year career, Dwight Gooden was a pitcher for the New York Mets (1984-1994), New York Yankees (1996-1997, 2000), Cleveland Indians (1998-1999), Houston Astros (2000), and Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2000). Gooden was a remarkably decorated athlete as a three-time World Series Champion (1986, 1996, and 2000), four-time All-Star (1984-1986, 1988), the National League CY Young Award winner (1985), Pitching Triple Crown recipient (1985), National League Rookie of the Year (1984), Silver Slugger Award winner (1992), MLB Wins Leader (1985), MLB ERA Leader (1985), two-time MLB Strikeout Leader (1984, 1985). Gooden also pitched a no-hitter on May 14, 1996, and has been inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame.
Gooden, also known as “Doc” and “Dr. K” was drafted 5th overall in the 1982 MLB draft. He gained a quick reputation for his 98 mph fastball and sweeping curveball that earned the nickname “Lord Charles”. Gooden soon attracted a section of Shea Stadium that was known as “The K Korner” and would hold up cards with a red “K” after each of his strikeouts. He was also the youngest player to appear in an All-Star game, at just 19 years old. In the following season Gooden led the league with a 1.53 ERA, 268 strikeouts and 16 completed games. The next season he led the Mets to win the 1986 World Series. In 1996, as a member of the New York Yankees, Gooden threw a no-hitter during the season, and helped lead them to the 1996 World Series. In 2010 Gooden was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame.