Dr. K is officially in for the Mets Old Timers’ game on Aug. 27.
“Yes, I’ll be playing,” Doc Gooden, a former All-Star pitcher for the Mets, told The Post’s Jake Brown and Nelson Figueroa on the “Amazin’ But True” podcast.
“Hopefully, hopefully, let’s knock on wood, I’m the starting pitcher,” Gooden said, adding, “I might have like five pitches.”
The two-time World Series champion is “assuming” he’ll be named the starting pitcher for the game, although the team has not yet made that official.
“[The Mets] did not ask me to start, but I’m just assuming,” said Gooden. “I figure Jerry Koosman is probably too old. There are plenty of options. I’m just assuming I’m starting. No one told me I’m starting. They did tell me they want me to play, but I’m just assuming that.
“I’m starting to get in good shape for that because you don’t want to go out and embarrass yourself, especially with my kids on hand. It should be fun. I’m glad they’re bringing Old Timers’ back to Citi Field. I mean, it’s wonderful for the fans. They’re always talking about it, especially at dinner with the Yankees. I played a couple with the Yankees, but you know I’m a Met always.”
Gooden started his career with the Mets in 1984 and spent a decade with the team, winning a World Series in 1986. He signed with the Yankees as a free agent in 1996, throwing a no-hitter against the Mariners that season before spending one more year with the Pinstripes. Short stints with the Indians, Rays and Astros followed before he returned to the Yankees midway through the 2000 season, during which he won a second World Series ring before retiring in 2001 after being cut during spring training. He ended his career with a record of 194-112.
Gooden added that he believes former center fielder Lenny Dykstra should also play in the Mets Old Timers’ game. Dykstra was a three-time All-Star and won a World Series with the Mets in 1986 as well before finishing his career in Philadelphia, where he spent eight seasons. But since retiring, Dykstra has had his share of financial and legal troubles, which included serving 6 1/2 months of a three-year sentence in federal jail for bankruptcy fraud and grand theft auto.
For the first time since 1994, the Mets will have an Old Timers’ Day at Citi Field, with the game taking place before a series against the Rockies. Frank Thomas, Ron Swoboda, Mike Piazza, Jon Matlack, Felix Millán, Mookie Wilson, Howard Johnson, Bobby Ojeda, Robin Ventura, Turk Wendell, Endy Chávez, Cliff Floyd and Daniel Murphy are among more than 40 players scheduled to attend. The Mets will announce additional former players who will be participating in the game in the coming months.