One of the most famous music groups of the Disco Era (Late 1960s – late 1970s) was The Bee Gees.
If you ever saw the movie “Saturday Night Fever” (Paramount 1977/1978) then you likely know this was the vehicle helping the Bee Gees take the music world by storm.
Prior to that, The Bee Gees were known for a masterpiece of a song “How Do You Mend a Broken Heart,” (1971/Polydor).
The melody and lyrics are explicit, beautiful, and haunting!
However, the overall sadness of the song is just too real.
At this stage in life, I can’t help but think of Doc Gooden when I listen to the deep words of that song.
“How do you mend a broken heart, how do you stop the rain from falling down?”
The song continues: “Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again!”
Doc Gooden had the highest of the highs… “Rookie of the Year,” the Cy Young Award, and World Series Champion.
Doc has also experienced the lowest of the lows:
- Drug suspensions
- Prison
- The deaths of his beloved parents and wonderful friends including his catcher Gary Carter and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyer, and the man that would give Doc multiple chances, George Steinbrenner.
A great lady by the name of Adele C. Smithers (1933-2017) of The Christopher D. Smithers Foundation maintained that drug addiction is a disease, just like cancer, or any other.
She was the person who convinced Mr. Steinbrenner of that fact.
Through her teachings, The Boss developed the compassion for always extending his hand to Doc Gooden.
What many don’t understand is that through many of Doc’s actions — both positive and negative — literally many people were helped in their coming to terms with the decease of addiction. That’s just because he’s Doc Gooden.
If it could happen to him then it can happen to anyone.
On some of his darkest days the heart of this man still would help so many in the worst of situations. To the point of giving people his last dollar.
The one thing that you always hear about Doc Gooden is that he is truly one of professional sports all-time great people.
Recently, I was watching the “Legacy of Doc Gooden” on SNY, the Mets cable network here in New York.
It reflects a great job done by the production team.
Doc is still desperately fighting his broken heart.
When they showed the pictures of Mel Stottlemyer, Gary Carter, and his parents, you could feel his sadness, his incredible pain. He began to cry.
I have to especially thank Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen for their compassion for Doc Gooden. For understanding what he has given New York and the Mets.
For understanding everything that goes with this incredible ride called Major League Baseball, for that matter — called life!
On April 14, the Mets are retiring Doc Gooden’s uniform number 16.
It’s a beautiful tribute to Doc.
Speaking from a “sports perspective” he’s earned it.
However, from life’s perspective and the many people who have had their own issues, this is an amazing tribute to them as well, and to the fact that they too might also not be forgotten in a sometime cruel world; they too might be given a second chance.
Doc has to deal with his disease as so many globally do: one day at a time. However, Doc has to also ask himself the question: “How Do You Mend a Broken Heart?”
Ray Negron is a sports executive with over 40 years of experience in baseball. His first job came from a chance encounter with George Steinbrenner as a youth. Mr. Negron is an American film producer, a best-selling author, and philanthropist. His memoir is, “Yankee Miracles: Life with the Boss and the Bronx Bombers.” Read Ray Negron’s Reports — More Here.
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