Dwight Gooden on turning 50: 'I never thought I would make it'

Dwight Gooden accomplished more as a 20-year-old pitcher than most players do their entire career. 

Thirty years later, he's more impressed to celebrate his recent birthday than becoming the youngest pitcher to win a Cy Young.

"I never thought I would make it to 50," the former New York Mets star told the New York Post. "Fifty is a magic year, but I look at every day as a magic year."

Gooden has long battled a history of substance abuse and run-ins with the law, but the ex-big leaguer says he's three years sober and has a new outlook on life.

"I’ve been to rehabs. I’ve been to counseling. I’ve been to jail. I’ve been in prison," Gooden said, recalling the self-destructive path that nearly killed him. "The only place I haven’t been yet is the cemetery. That would be my next stop."

During his recent interview with the Post, Gooden reflected on family, his battle with addiction, and repairing his friendship with former Mets teammate Darryl Strawberry.

"I take full responsibility for all the mistakes I’ve made, and I’m sorry I hurt a lot of people," said Gooden, whose 1.53 ERA in 1985 is the second-lowest of the live-ball era.

The hard-throwing right-hander enjoyed a quick ascent up the superstar ranks, winning Rookie of the Year, the Cy Young and earning four All-Star appearances in his first five seasons. Drugs and alcohol would later derail a Hall-of-Fame career in the making.

Gooden retired a three-time champion and threw a no-hitter in 1996 with the New York Yankees.

"I got to live the dream," he said.