Former Marlins, Mets Stars Earn Election to Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Hall of Game

Former pitchers Dontrelle Willis and Dwight Gooden are part of a loaded class of players going into the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum's 2023 Hall of Game class.

Congratulations are in order for five players who have earned induction into the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum's Hall of Game Class.

The class of five will be inducted on September 9th and features Mike Norris, Dwight Gooden, Al Downing, Dontrelle Willis and Vida Blue.

Introducing the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum's 2023 Hall of Game Class.

- Vida Blue (posthumous)
- Al Downing
- Dwight Gooden
- Mike Norris
- Dontrelle Willis

Join us Saturday, September 9th as we celebrate members of the Black Aces. pic.twitter.com/lG3zo0TSO3

— Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (@NLBMuseumKC) August 16, 2023

Norris spent 10 years in the major leagues, playing for the Oakland Athletics for the duration of his career. He had an interesting career arc that saw him play from 1975-1983, and then not again until 1990. He was 58-59 lifetime but featured a 3.89 ERA.

As for Gooden, he was one of the most exciting pitchers of the last 40 years, especially when he burst onto the scene. 

He pitched for 16 years with the Mets, Yankees, Cleveland, Astros and Rays. He won the Rookie of the Year, a Cy Young award, and was a four-time All-Star. He had a lifetime record of 194-112 with a 3.51 ERA. He was a two-time World Series champ.

Downing spent 17 years in the big leagues with the Yankees, A's, Dodgers, and Brewers. Downing went 123-107 over his career and pitched to a 3.22 ERA.

Willis went 72-69 over a nine-year career with the Marlins, Reds, Diamondbacks and Tigers. He won a Rookie of the Year award and was named a two-time All-Star. He had a lifetime ERA of 4.17.

Finally, Blue will be going in posthumously after passing away recently. He won an MVP award, a Cy Young, an ERA title and was a six-time All-Star. He pitched for 17 years with the A's, Giants and Royals.

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