Netflix has announced the upcoming premiere of Doctor K: The Rise, Fall & Redemption of Dwight Gooden, a compelling new documentary that chronicles the life and career of one of baseball’s most electrifying and enigmatic talents. The film is set to debut on July 20, 2025, offering an intimate and unfiltered look at the meteoric rise, personal struggles, and hard-fought redemption of New York Mets icon Dwight “Doc” Gooden.
Gooden burst onto the Major League Baseball scene in 1984 as a 19-year-old phenom. That year, he won the National League Rookie of the Year award after racking up 276 strikeouts—a rookie record at the time—and finished with a 17-9 record and a 2.60 ERA. Just one year later, he delivered one of the most dominant pitching seasons in MLB history, winning the 1985 NL Cy Young Award after posting a 24-4 record, a 1.53 ERA, and 268 strikeouts. His 1985 campaign remains one of the greatest statistical seasons ever recorded by a pitcher.
By age 21, Gooden had already become a World Series champion, helping lead the Mets to their unforgettable 1986 title run. He was a four-time All-Star, finished his career with 194 wins, 2,293 strikeouts, and a lifetime ERA of 3.51 over 16 seasons.
As Doctor K explores, Gooden’s story isn’t only about his dominance on the mound. The film pulls back the curtain on the personal challenges that derailed his career; battles with addiction, multiple suspensions, and the crushing weight of fame at a young age. Through exclusive interviews with Gooden, former teammates like Darryl Strawberry, family, and mental health experts, the documentary provides a raw and reflective portrait of a gifted athlete forced to confront his own demons.
Produced by the acclaimed team behind Untold and The Last Dance, the film promises never-before-seen footage, behind-the-scenes stories, and a deeply emotional narrative set to the heartbeat of 1980s New York. It’s not just a baseball documentary—it’s a story of vulnerability, perseverance, and ultimately, hope.
“Doc’s story is one of the most powerful in all of sports—not just because of what he accomplished, but because of what he overcame,” said one of the film’s executive producers. “He was a symbol of greatness, but also a reminder that greatness alone doesn’t protect you from life’s hardest struggles.”
Despite his off-field battles, Gooden remains beloved by Mets fans, who still chant his name and revere the dazzling brilliance he brought to Shea Stadium. His legacy—equal parts triumph and tragedy—continues to resonate decades later.
Doctor K: The Rise, Fall & Redemption of Dwight Gooden premieres exclusively on Netflix on July 20, 2025.