Dr. K makes a house call

Dwight Gooden visits Camp Hillel

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Known as a fire balling, curve ball strikeout artist when he was a major league pitcher, Dwight Gooden, known as “Dr. K” during his heyday struck a chord with the youngsters during a visit to Camp Hillel in Lawrence on July 11. K is the scorecard symbol for a strikeout.

Gooden played a decade for the Mets, where he was part of the 1986 Word Series winning team, and threw a no-hitter for the Yankees in 1996. At the top of his career he was nearly unhittable, but problems with drugs then injuries derailed a once certain Hall of Fame career. His career ended in 2000.

But the Camp Hillel kids ranging in age from 7 to 13 were thrilled to see a real former professional baseball player. “It was exciting that he threw the ball to us and we could bat,” said Eliyahu Cohen, 7, one of many campers who faced Gooden as he underhanded a softball to them, a few swings at a time.

Gooden addressed the kids throughout a two-hour visit and spoke about making good choices in life. “Don’t cheat your coaches, don’t cheat your teaches with you effort,” the 1984 National League Rookie of the Year said.

A pitcher, who won the NL Cy Young Award and the hurler’s version of the Triple Crown: leading the major leagues in wins, ERA and strikeouts, also provided the kids with hitting tips as they batted against him.

“It was great because I love the Yankees,” said Jacob Adler, 8, about Gooden’s visit. Adler had a White Sox hat on his head but that’s because it’s the team he played on this past season in the Hewlett-Woodmere Little League.

Daniel Green, a Camp Hillel counselor, was born on the day – May 14, 1996 – that Gooden tossed his no-hitter. “I learned about that a couple years ago and I checked to reassure myself it was true,” said Green, who wore a No. 7 Jose Reyes Mets shirt. Green, a Mets, Jets, Rangers and Knicks fan said meeting Gooden is like connecting with the 1986 Mets World Series team. Camp associate Jacob Grossman called it “incredible, like a dream.”

Ari Solomon, the camp director, thinks of it as a learning experience. “It gets the campers excited about learning more about sports from a professional and it is a great experience,” said Solomon, who noted that the camp has a total of 25 certified coaches and physical education teachers who also provide the campers with their expertise.

Last year, Camp Hillel received a visit former Knicks guard John Starks. On Aug. 8, formers Jets wide receiver Wesley Walker is expected to make an appearance.