Legendary Pitcher Dwight Gooden on Why a Kid Shouldn't Be Taught How to Throw a Curve Ball (Part 2)

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Part 3: • Dwight Gooden on Signi...
Part 1: • Dwight Gooden on His M...
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Baseball legend Dwight "Doc" Gooden shared insights from his storied career and provided a clear warning for young pitchers: avoid throwing curveballs too early. Despite his own early introduction to the curveball at age seven-a product of his father's unconventional coaching-Gooden now advises against it. "Ligaments are still developing. The bones are still developing," he cautions, emphasizing how early strain can lead to long-term injuries. He credits his father's focus on sound mechanics and proper grip with having helped him avoid such issues but believes most kids should wait until their bodies are more mature. Reflecting on his own path, which included playing with older kids and the support of family members, Gooden underscores the importance of developing a strong mechanical foundation over mastering complex pitches too soon.

[@pep2st8p64]

The Doc....he was untouchable

[@GenesisEnforcer-wy1yk]

Clicked on this so fast the minute I saw the title

[@THEINFAMOUS1011]

For him to only say like 2 sentences on that subject 😂😂

[@daGuwru]

1984-85-86 Doc was must see TV

[@hughjaass3787]

As a kid in the 80s in Middle Florida, I tried to mirror Goodens mechanics. I did not have that Superb Curveball he did, but I my fastball was in upper 80s low 90s & threw a Sweeper as my curveball....was selected to Florida All-State Baseball Team as a Pitcher my 10th grade year, but my 11th & 12th grades, I was selected All State as a Shortstop. Played D1 4 years, 3yrs Minor Leagues. But I coached HS for 23yrs now, & still teach Goodens mechanics.

[@lovedavantlamour301]

What did you call it , a slurve ? Slider ? Sweepers aren’t new but the phrase is

[@user-cc5bi4fv1q]

I love your username. Reminds me of a Simpsons episode lol

[@4foodinc]

no matter what this mans current situation, hes got so much golden knowledge about baseball in his own perspective. Glad we got this interview Glad

[@Ricsteed1987]

I still have his sports illustrated from when I was a kid i was a fan of DOCTOR K

[@DaRKfire-yz5im]

One of my favorite players of all time

[@leonh7183]

he was one the coldest in game back in the day

[@abbasrizvi9389]

facts!!!

[@stevenbrown6956]

I always liked hearing about his dad's involvement in his upbringing. He seemed really engaged.

[@royhudson1461]

Man,Doc is Alright!!

[@betterdays29]

Good to hear. Because he wasn't doing good when the 30 for 30 came out a couple of years ago.

[@TheAvargas687]

One of the best young pitchers who was box office at the time ,as a life long mets fan doctor k was everything, so glad he's doing good now ,there will never be another phenom like him for the Mets

[@jonathansolorzano1315]

Doc remembers everyone first and last name from 9 years old elephant brain.

[@mkhanman12345]

But you ain’t the brain expert

[@samuelhill5022]

Amen! Throwing curves messed up my rotator cuff.

[@NinjaVanish247]

What age did you start throwing curve balls?

[@whatthe3504]

you dont have to throw a curve ball but need something outside of fastball if you want to go anywhere. the throwing motion in general does damage has nothing to do with what pitch it is thats why they have pitch counts.

[@rowdyghost4713]

Science proves that a curveball actually is less stressful on your arm than a fastball when thrown correctly. Throwing a curveball doesn’t even pose a risk to your rotator cuff whether thrown properly or improperly so idk what you are on about.

[@isaacshaver6218]

​@@rowdyghost4713correct....curveball is in the grip an the flick of the wrist. Slider tears up the elbow... your fastball & improper mechanics that come from overwork is what tears your rotor.... been there. .. was weird I could still throw but it hurt and I had no vroom left in my arm. Tendinitis in my elbow caused me to still have gas(velocity), but who wants to throw when it feels like an ice pick to the elbow everytime u let go of the ball. 😮

[@chipperjones4870]

As mentioned above, it is not the type of pitch, but the amount of pitches thrown that causes the injury

[@FriendlyNeighborhoodGentile]

Tommy John surgeries have sky rocketed this year, all the high velo and insane pitches players have now are taking a toll unfortunately

[@GHOST91141]

And lately it's been some big name pitchers too

[@ufa621]

Would much rather throw mid to low 90s pin point accuracy than upper 90s to 00s heat with little control. But this day and age that's just how it is

[@curtisrobinson2291]

​@@ufa621how about upper 90s and 00s with control?

[@isaacshaver6218]

Well I agree that the higher velocities that they are having pictures throw at are definitely mostly to blame, I also think it's the low pitch counts. I mean how are you going to get used to throwing a ball 100 plus times a game unless you throw a ball 100 plus times a game

[@flickboogers9325]

But do you see how much money they're making?

[@Illtechnica]

Yes, Gary Sheffield Sr was Doc Gooden's nephew. .292 career batting average, 509HR, 9 Allstars.

[@tommyfu9271]

Sheffield is a prick but he should be in the Hof.

[@ryanhisatomi1056]

Gary Sheffield is one of my all time favorite ball players!

[@stevenbrown6956]

Bat speed was incredible.

[@guyburgwin5675]

He seems kind and a bit shy. I can see how he had some trouble coping with the limelight. I enjoyed this tremendously. At his best he was the best. An all time great. We remember Doc.

[@DonnaGarcia-ul6ke]

Love your style, keep rocking it!

[@timotheewilliams9086]

Doc Gooden, I played against Dwight at Belmont Little League in Tampa, Florida for 2 years, he struck out our whole team😂, then we went to school together at Hillsborough High school and the rest is history, now remember people at Hillsborough High school they had Doc, Floyd Youman and Vance Lovelace who all pitched in the Major league 😂

[@nofurtherwest3474]

dang that is awesome. I wish there was footage of that.

[@sam4soph1]

Very good clip. I sure hope he has conquered his addictions because he seems like such a great guy.

[@dlo2334]

When he was on top he was the best pitcher I’ve ever seen

[@djlutz9443]

Fastball, cutte, and changeup is all kids need

[@djlutz9443]

*cutter

[@nofurtherwest3474]

Interesting. at what age? my kid is 10. he experiments alot for now. I don't want to rush him.

[@abbasrizvi9389]

Been watching baseball since 1978. Dwight Gooden in 1985 had the greatest single pitching season I have ever seen!!! 24-4, just invisible!!!

[@treynelson3967]

In the 80's doc and starberry, Geary I think he was the catcher?🤔. The Mets were the team too talk about at that time 80's 🎉.

[@mikelliteras397]

I completely agree with Doc. Kids should not be throwing a curve or split, or anything but a fastball and change up. I remember Doc saying if he threw a change up it would end up over the fence.

[@isaacshaver6218]

He is 100% right. They should be teaching kids how to change speeds and ball placement first and foremost. I don't think the curveball is necessarily as damaging to the arm as a learning a slider, but still he is right

[@SarahJones-ik6jh]

Your videos are a breath of fresh air, always enjoy watching

[@jonstewart6860]

be quiet, vlad bot

[@iAintSayDat]

When I was in Little League my friend read somewhere how to throw a curve and tried it in a game. The ump called my friends parents and our coach onto the field and told them all that if my friend threw it again he'd toss the coach out LOL. I wonder if the board backed him up.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

why would they toss coach out? why would ump care what type of pitch the pitcher throws? My kid just pitched a lot in LL and the umps never said anything to any pitcher.

[@thevoiceofcod643]

Doc Gooden. My Man. Mets fan since 1983, Star Nerd since birth. Next time Vlad, you have to let me do the interview.

[@MikeRay1978]

He’s too humble. It didn’t come from anyone before him. It came from hard work, natural talent, good mechanics and the luck to be noticed in the first place to get the opportunity to excel. It came from Doc.

[@andyw6702]

As an Astros fan, I had no love for the Mets. Game 6, 1986 NLCS was a heartbreaker, 16 freaking innings. Even though I hated the Mets, I was in awe of the talents of Gooden and Strawberry. It was also heartbreaking to see such talent squandered, a lesson in human frailties of even the strongest. I wish both the best in their daily struggles and a long and happy life.

[@user-gn1ue3hx6r]

I just saw his highlights Damm

[@KimberlyReese-vi2or]

I love that Documentary with him and Strawberry. They are true brothers and the 80's was hot in Baseball they was Batman and Robin. I am glad they are doing well now

[@MA_808]

nice man....I hope to meet him someday...

[@JNo-sk5mz]

Super Legend 👏🏾

[@Grommok]

Love you Doc.

[@rafaelsufran6102]

I remember that rising fastball

[@1TightMinute]

The common narrative now is the curve is bad for the shoulder long term but it’s the slider and fast ball the do the most damage and lead to TJ earlier. What needs to be done is an innings limit for these kids in travel ball. Kids play tournaments every weekend. That’s crazy.

[@lowerclassbrats77]

I was taught this too. I saw an 11 year old throwing a 2 strike curveball in my son's little league game. I thought the kid might end up with a messed up arm.

[@xxxxbigrich5752]

I’m happy for Doc he looks great and he managed to have his World Series Ring he was on crack for a lot of years, but thank God he’s doing well. 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@luke1730]

I love how he mentions Pete Rose Twice…thank you Dwight…

[@kevinforeman4485]

If U look at Pete's stats he should be in the hall of fame. Period.

[@luke1730]

@@kevinforeman4485 yes I followed him since I was 10 in 1963…like Tom Brady he had the it factor…never saw a mental mistake …the scouting report on him was can’t hit can’t run can’t throw…yet an all star at five positions…and never injured much…I love how Doc Gooden and Darrell Strawberry said he was an inspiration to them…he messed up by baseball and people in general need to forgive him…many hate him. I do know this he was despised in Tampa where the Reds trained because he was a womanizer, funny story his first wife went to the same family doctor I went to…better keep that off the internet lol

[@kevinforeman4485]

He made a mental mistake gambling on something he had an effect on. I don't understand how he couldn't cover his bases so to speak, pun intended. I would have my nephews friends cousin ex-girls mother place bets for me. I don't know. Now the Barry Bonds thing I understand but not putting Pete Rose in the hall of fame is like saying Mario Andretti was an average driver. U were 10 in 1963 so you know where I'm coming from.

[@luke1730]

@@kevinforeman4485 child please

[@phillipsosa3353]

Me: he’s right don’t teach them so young! Also me: my 8 year old throws a mean curveball 😂😂😂

[@tomdallas3690]

Sad story. Troubled fella. I got on an elevator at the Tampa airport in 1992 and he was on there with another woman...just us three. He was a superstar, but hindsight being what it is, he had a nervous energy to him. Darryl Strawberry seems to have found some peace, but Dwight Gooden always seemed to be the biggest incurable addict. I was at a bar in Pittsburgh on a Sunday night in 1989 or so.....corner of the bar.....Dwight Gooden....Darryl Strawberry.....Barry Bonds......Bobby Bonilla. Talk about a charismatic group....wow. They were all in the prime of their careers and lives. Unreal sighting. The biggest addict in all of sports is/was Pete Rose. He is still in denial now, and was betting on baseball in the days leading up to his meeting with MLB commissioner Manfred in 2014. Manfred asked Pete if he was still betting on baseball (Manfred knew that he was, of course), and Pete looked him in the eye and said...No! Then Pete's attorney gave him a nudge and a look...and Pete then said Yes!....but it is legal. Pete Rose and Darryl Strawberry are the two saddest cases and best/worst examples of what a stone cold addict is. Dwight is a sadder case than Pete....you just see the sadness in his soul. Pete has lived a somewhat normal existence and has enough fans in denial as well that he gets off on being a victim. Dwight is a forever troubled soul.

[@andysmith6156]

Yes, when I was 10/11 I pitched every game and threw curve ball after curve ball. My arm hurt me till I was in my 40's. This was in 1970-71 lol

[@jzw55]

I know I’m going to get crap for this but I ended up playing football. From New Jersey I played in the old Big 8 conference on a sorry team at Kansas State. Ended up graduating at Rowan University. So called Division III POWER House. Played in 3 national championships lost all 3 to Mount Union in Ohio. Made rookie mini camp with eagles. Got picked up by the Panthers, Packers and the Patriots. Never made an active roster. I just wish I stuck with baseball. I didn’t have any curveballs or any tricks. I just threw it hard a I could. Clocked around 73 mph at age 12. Kinda wish I stuck to baseball but I found the sport to be so boring and hot

[@YUNGRC]

Nah teach kids to play sports keep kids outta the streets Keep them play sports or going to school for a career

[@ump1nen]

Of course but he was talking about specific training when a kid is very young. Learn the basic mechanics first and then learn the other parts of pitching because your ligaments are still developing and you'll just injure yourself

[@5th76]

Teach them proper English is their friend so they can understand what Doc is talking about here

[@user-ro9iz1qo3f]

Or learn a trade higher education is not for everyone

[@tayeeddings7501]

I wish Vlad knew baseball perfect time to ask Doc did Gary have that batting stance back then

[@LadyDuchess]

There’s footage of Gary’s batting stance when he played in The Liitle League World Series. I don’t think lil Gary had the bat wiggle just then.

[@HVH777]

I’m left handed swear I wish I would’ve played baseball or boxed

[@nofurtherwest3474]

what sports did you play

[@carymarshallfelton9188]

I used to play basketball at his house when he lived in south St. Pete. His whole family including nephew Gary Sheffield owned the who street on Bay.

[@Liltoxicfoo]

What going on with his shirt? Lol

[@jonathonbloomfield9912]

Curve thrown correctly is not harmful

[@TreeSnackz]

Interesting

[@jamesburton623]

Vance Lovelace was the one guy you never wanted to be drilled by. He was a behemoth of a pitcher with a legit 99mph fastball. He was the only pitcher that I ever heard make the threads of the ball hiss.

[@user-wg3gy7sy9z]

My dad said that to me but i didnt care cause i was dominant at 12 years old. Unfortunately i probably needed tj surgery

[@flickboogers9325]

At what point does he say not to throw the curveball when you're young? I must have missed it

[@DAllen985]

One day ima be on vlad tellin him how i use to be in the comments saying Im probably one of the dopest artist in the South but can't get heard cause I don't sound like everyone else

[@prestonpowers7376]

Good luck

[@DAllen985]

@@prestonpowers7376 appreciate it man all love Ill get heard eventually

[@wizard8437]

Fuck luck.. keep grinding bih

[@tamikadaniels6556]

What your name so I can look you up?

[@DAllen985]

@@wizard8437 every day fam ,💪🏾💪🏾

[@tayeeddings7501]

Sheeeeesh I never knew he just had two pitches

[@1Fasterblade]

They had Whopper Jr s back then?

[@bara7331]

HUH??

[@s2bling]

They don’t have whopper jr anymore?

[@lovedavantlamour301]

Hitting nearly .300 over a 15+ year career with more than 2600 hits and 500 hrs would be an impossible goal for 99.9 percent of people , unless you grew up in the same house as your uncle doc gooden like Gary Sheffield did ..

[@Michaelhunt-Ertz-gi1sd]

Tommy John surgery is happening now before catastrophic injury occurs

[@larryking1108]

Doc Gooden.

[@lmalbrue]

0:23 Please say your words clearly 😂

[@s.tavares3257]

Screwball is worse.

[@veautifulstranger]

Doctor K

[@nathanielriesterer9103]

Taiwan had to use older kids to win.

[@micjakes1]

Gotta wonder what he would have been without drugs.

[@on2wheels378]

Prime example. Dont do dope.

[@josephgriffin2388]

Colostomy bag.

[@Boss3Nate]

The funny part about him not being allowed to play in the little league series is he's too YOUNG..!!! Hahahaha. Literally the opposite of most of the problems in the LLWS bc guys lie about their age and they're too old. Sorry kid.... you're too young to play and dominate these older players.

[@vicvic2081]

He was a mid pitcher

[@babyg7674]

Wut is goin on wit dat shirt

[@babyg7674]

Look at waist line

[@courtneywills7623]

When was Kobe or MJ a bad loser he tries to shoot us down any chance he gets they hated losing but neither were bad losers ever and I'm a LeBron James fan heavy

[@pernellhaynesworth1212]

🍔🍟👑⚾️🧢🐐💯

[@DaRKfire-yz5im]

Does have stomach tumors or something? Doesn’t match the rest of his body

[@leogolive]

I was thinking that too but didn’t wanna say it.

[@stevenbrown6956]

It has actually been like that for a few years. I am not sure what is going on...but it isn't something brand new. Hopefully he is ok, I was a big fan growing up.

[@robertscott8226]

This guy doesn't sing hip hop songs! Vlad is supposed to be about hip hop artists, producers and the like not sports.

[@Yaboyromeo2]

Yo I'm so tired of these f'n titles. Never once did I hear why a kid shouldn't throw a curve ball

[@tristinhall1275]

He said he wouldn’t try to teach a kid how to throw a curveball because their ligaments and bones are still developing. 2:12

[@Yaboyromeo2]

@@tristinhall1275 I didn't catch that. Thank you

[@vladtv]

Watch the full interview now as a VladTV KZbin Member - kzbin.infojoin

[@undertakerfanz628]

He talks like he's still on powder

[@ump1nen]

Dude got clean but the talking style and odd movements never left him 😄

[@NYUArchaeology]

BLACK POWER. He talks like he's on 'BLACK POWER' you meant boy.

[@REAlMIDOFFICIAL]

​​​@@NYUArchaeologycalm down wakanda

[@undertakerfanz628]

@@NYUArchaeology brush your black teeth

[@undertakerfanz628]

@@REAlMIDOFFICIAL he's on the power tool don't pay him no mine

[@Zeus0886]

Here we go with bullshit titles

[@MizTheDonGargon]

Did you not pay attention 😂

[@tomdallas3690]

Dude needs to do some sit ups, or stop eating the flaming hot cheetos all day.