You probably remember the 1986 Mets. Even if you weren't alive then, you know the vibe. They were loud. They were talented. They were, quite frankly, a bit of a mess. When people search for is Doc on Netflix, they are usually looking for one thing: 30 for 30: Doc & Darryl.
It’s a heavy watch.
Look, sports documentaries usually follow a pretty standard "rise and fall" arc. You get the grainy footage of the kid hitting home runs in a dusty field, the multi-million dollar contract, and then the inevitable stumble. But there’s something about Dwight "Doc" Gooden and Darryl Strawberry that feels different. It’s more personal. It's about two guys who were supposed to own New York City forever but ended up struggling just to stay afloat.
Finding the Truth: Is Doc on Netflix Right Now?
Let’s get the logistics out of the way first because nothing is more annoying than scrolling through five different apps trying to find a specific film.
Right now, the availability of Doc & Darryl—and other related documentaries like the multi-part Once Upon a Time in Queens—is a bit of a moving target. Netflix cycles its licensed content constantly. While Netflix frequently hosts ESPN films in various regions, the most reliable place to find the definitive story of Doc Gooden is actually Disney+ or ESPN+. Because Disney owns ESPN, they’ve consolidated most of the 30 for 30 library there.
Does that mean you'll never find it on Netflix? No. Netflix has a long-standing relationship with sports storytelling, as seen with The Last Dance. However, for the specific doc directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio, you’re better off checking your Hulu or ESPN+ subscription first.
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It’s a weird quirk of the streaming wars. One day a doc is there; the next, it’s gone because a licensing deal expired at midnight.
Why the Story of Doc Gooden Still Matters in 2026
Doc Gooden wasn't just a pitcher. He was "Doctor K."
When he took the mound at Shea Stadium, the energy was different. You could feel it through the television screen. In 1985, he had one of the greatest seasons any pitcher has ever had in the history of the game. He was 24-4 with a 1.53 ERA. That is insane. It’s the kind of stat line you see in a video game on the easiest setting.
But the documentary isn't really about the stats.
It’s about a diner in Queens. That’s where the film centers itself—Doc and Darryl sitting across from each other, older, weathered, and remarkably honest. They talk about the things they missed. They talk about the drugs. They talk about the pressure of being Black stars in a city that loved them when they won but had a lot to say when they stumbled.
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The Weight of Expectations
Darryl Strawberry was the "Black Ted Williams." That’s a lot to carry for a kid from Crenshaw.
The documentary does a fantastic job of showing how these two were linked. They weren't just teammates; they were symbols of a specific era of New York baseball. When you watch the footage of them today, you see the flashes of brilliance, but you also see the exhaustion in their eyes.
Doc’s fall was particularly painful because he seemed so invincible. The 12-to-6 curveball was a weapon. But by the time the 1986 World Series parade rolled around, Doc was already missing. He wasn't there. He was in a haze, stuck in an apartment, watching his teammates celebrate on TV. Honestly, that’s one of the most heartbreaking stories in sports history.
What the Documentary Gets Right (and What It Misses)
Judd Apatow is known for comedy, but he has this incredible touch for human vulnerability. By putting Doc and Darryl in a mundane setting—just a regular booth with some coffee—he strips away the "superstar" veneer.
- The Honesty: They don't make excuses. Strawberry is very open about his faith and his recovery. Gooden is a bit more guarded, which feels authentic to his personality.
- The Archive Footage: You get to see the sheer violence of their talent. The way Strawberry swung a bat looked like he was trying to break the atmosphere.
- The Regret: It’s palpable. You can see them thinking about the "what ifs."
However, some critics argue the doc glosses over some of the darker legal troubles to keep the focus on the brotherhood between the two men. It’s a fair point. If you’re looking for a gritty, investigative piece into the legalities of their various arrests, this isn't quite that. It’s a character study. It’s about two friends who survived a war that they mostly fought against themselves.
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Why You Should Watch It Regardless of the App
Whether you find that is Doc on Netflix or you have to jump over to another service, the investment is worth it.
We live in an era where athlete mental health is finally being discussed openly. We have people like Simone Biles and Kevin Love talking about the pressure. Doc and Darryl didn't have that. They had a clubhouse full of enablers and a city that demanded perfection.
There's a specific scene where they discuss the 1986 Mets clubhouse. It wasn't a healthy place. It was a high-octane, ego-driven environment where "partying hard" was seen as a badge of honor. Seeing them reflect on that as sixty-year-old men provides a level of perspective you just don't get from a standard highlight reel.
Other Mets Docs to Look For
If you’ve already seen Doc & Darryl and you’re still hungry for that 80s New York grit, you have to find Once Upon a Time in Queens.
It’s a four-part series that goes way deeper into the rest of the team. You get Keith Hernandez, Lenny Dykstra, and Wally Backman. It’s chaos. It explains why Doc and Darryl ended up the way they did. They were part of a team that thrived on being the "bad guys," but that lifestyle has a high cost.
Actionable Steps for the Viewer
If you are trying to track down this story or learn more about this era of baseball, don't just rely on a single streaming search.
- Check the ESPN+ Library First: Since the 30 for 30 series is an ESPN product, it lives there permanently. If you have the Disney bundle, you already have access to it.
- Look for "Once Upon a Time in Queens": If you want the full context of the 1986 season, this is the superior documentary in terms of sheer detail and production value.
- Read Darryl Strawberry’s Memoir: If the documentary feels like it’s missing some of the internal monologues, his book Straw: Memoif of a Hitman (not that kind of hitman) fills in the gaps regarding his upbringing and his path to sobriety.
- Follow the Modern Updates: Both men are still active in the public eye. Doc Gooden recently had his jersey retired by the Mets in 2024, a massive moment for fans who wanted to see him get his flowers while he was still here to smell them.
The story of Doc and Darryl isn't just about baseball. It’s about New York in the 80s. It’s about the crack epidemic. It’s about how we treat our heroes when they turn out to be human beings. It’s messy, it’s uncomfortable, and it’s absolutely essential viewing for anyone who cares about the intersection of sports and real life.