NEW YORK -- Former Major Leaguer Dwight Gooden never met Thurman Munson, but he knew about his legacy with the Yankees through good friend Ray Negron, who worked for the team as a bat boy when Munson was on the roster during the 1970s.

Gooden, however, was able to meet Munson’s widow, Diana, over the years by attending the Thurman Munson Awards Dinner, which took place at Chelsea Piers on Thursday night. Gooden was in attendance because he was honored, along with former Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui and Paralympics silver medalist Ali Truwit, for on-field excellence and their exemplary work off the field.

“It’s a humbling honor for me,” Gooden said. “It comes with extra responsibilities. It motivates me to do more in the community. It’s a great thing to be honored for your off-the-field stuff. Obviously, I’ve had my struggles, but I tried to turn the messes I made into messages to help kids.”

In fact, a few hours before he was honored, Gooden was at St. John’s University talking to athletes from John Adams High School in Queens, N.Y., about baseball and then switching it up to talk about his struggles off the field, which included drugs and alcohol. Gooden has been drug free for the past five years.

“I’m so proud of him,” Diana Munson said about Gooden. “The fact that he had his issues, he pulled himself up. Look at him now. That says a lot about the man and his character. I think integrity is a big deal. A lot of people don’t have it and [he does]. He made a comeback.”

• Behind the Mets' decision to draft Gooden in '82

Gooden’s performance on the field goes without saying. Most of his success came with the New York Mets He ranks second in franchise history in wins (157) and strikeouts (1,875), as well as third in innings (2,169 2/3), complete games (67) and starts (303). Gooden’s best seasons were 1984 and ’85.

In ’84, Gooden won the National League Rookie of the Year Award after setting a Major League rookie record with 276 strikeouts. The following season, he became the youngest pitcher to win a Cy Young Award as he captured the Triple Crown of pitching, leading the Majors in wins (24), strikeouts (268) and ERA (1.53). Gooden can’t believe his best season occurred 40 years ago.

“I’m getting old, man. I have grandkids, great grandkids, and things are moving fast,” Gooden said. “As I look back on it, I accept it and today, I can say I’m proud about what I accomplished.”

Gooden said catcher Gary Carter was the reason for his success in ‘85. It was Carter’s first year with the Mets. According to Gooden, Carter’s communication behind the plate was unbelievable and he is the only starting catcher who would be part of Gooden’s bullpen sessions.

“He didn’t want anyone to catch me,” Gooden said about Carter. “He was good at picking up weaknesses on hitters like Mike Schmidt, who would spread out wider when he was looking fastball. You would think he would be closer [to the plate] looking for the curveball. I never knew that, but Carter would see things like that.

“Gary meant a great deal. Gary didn’t judge me. He cared about me as a person. Off the field, he was the kindest guy. On the field, he was tough. He would get in your face. He demanded nothing but the best out of you each day.

“As a catcher, he knew how to deal with different personalities whether it was me, Sid Fernandez or Ron Darling. He knew what it took to get the best out of us.”