It was more than just another transaction on the waiver wire. Last Friday, Dwight Gooden announced his retirement, taking with him three World Series rings, a no-hitter, a Cy Young Award, a Rookie of the Year and a million what-ifs.

The same week, Gooden’s friend of almost 20 years made headlines again. The sad saga of Darryl Strawberry had taken another turn. He was reported kidnapped, then found and was immediately checked into a hospital. Gooden and Strawberry, forever linked, have become cautionary tales: poster-boys for what can go wrong with youth and money. They burst onto the scene in the early `80s, winning back-to back Rookie of the Year awards in 1983 and 1984. They brought the awful Mets to baseball’s pinnacle with a championship in 1986. Whether you loved or hated them, you couldn’t take your eyes off them.

Strawberry was a 6-foot-6, lanky, California slugger who made hitting 500-foot home runs look easy with his long, fluid stroke. Gooden, the pride of Tampa, had a fastball that defied logic. Together, they were going to win championships, and go to the Hall of Fame, with over 300 wins for Gooden and over 500 home runs for Strawberry.

It never happened.

Both men were derailed by New York City in the 1980s, where cash and celebrity went hand-in-hand with cocaine. Two newly rich kids from broken homes were surrounded by yes-men in the world’s biggest city: not a good combination. Now, you don’t have to feel sorry for a couple of millionaires who seemingly had it all, but remember that all the money in the world can’t buy back all those years on the streets.

It’s no coincidence that the other 1980s superstar gone astray, Mike Tyson, also grew up without parents on the streets of Brownsville, N.Y. Tyson was going to be the best ever, but his vices — namely women — caught up with him before he could establish long-lasting greatness. Like Strawberry and Gooden, no one ever said no to Mike. From Cus D’Amato to Don King, Tyson’s “crew” always gave him whatever he wanted.

And just like Straw and Gooden, you still can’t take your eyes off Tyson. His prime was over 10 years ago and he is still boxing’s biggest draw. You’d watch Strawberry hit today, because he can still hit one 500 feet, just like Tyson can still drop someone with an uppercut 30 seconds into the fight.

So when Doc and Darryl began to publicly admit their addictions in the late `80s, there was more concern about the Mets than the addictions. When Gooden returned from his first drug suspension against the Pirates, he received a standing ovation. Unfortunately, most of the applause was because he could help the Mets’ playoff push, rather than because he had beaten addiction.

It was clear he hadn’t beaten the addiction. After numerous positive tests, he was suspended for the entire 1995 season. He fought back, winning two rings with the Yankees, throwing a no-hitter and becoming an inspiration throughout baseball. Gooden appears cured and knows what’s truly important in life.

“I’m looking forward to starting my second career — spending time with my kids,” Gooden said, ready to make up for all the time on the road and in rehab.

Strawberry, unfortunately, has not been as lucky. He, too, has been suspended multiple times for cocaine use, including 1995 and 1999. Along the way, he has battled the IRS, domestic trouble, cancer and an embarrassing arrest for soliciting prostitution.

Now the new chapter to the Strawberry story is written. Just when it appeared it couldn’t get any stranger, it does. An alleged kidnapping, a Dwight Gooden-led search for Strawberry in the drug dens of Tampa, and finally the admission of Strawberry into a hospital. Cameron Crowe couldn’t write a script like this — sadly, this one is true.

Strawberry had skipped out on his rehab and his chemotherapy for colon cancer. Anyone who has battled one of these diseases will tell you how difficult it is. Now try kicking a cocaine habit while chemotherapy wears you down physically, mentally and emotionally.

Strawberry told Tony Zumbado, who is making a documentary on Strawberry for HBO, that he thanks God he’s alive. Zumbado, who spoke to Strawberry after he resurfaced, said the drugs and chemotherapy led to his escape.

“The two of them are just beating him up,” Zumbado told The New York Post. “He said he was doing very well in rehab and was trying hard, but the urge for the drugs is too much for his willpower.”

Now, there are Strawberry bashers who make light of his troubles and have no sympathy for him. They don’t understand why they should feel sorry for someone who was on the fast track for the Hall of Fame before being derailed by drugs and alcohol. There’s no magical cure for addiction, though, that money and talent can buy.

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the long, strange trip of Doc and Darryl has been a tragic one. For those of us who grew up at Shea, watching Doc mow down the opposition and Darryl clearing the right field fence, we can remember them for more than two cautionary tales. They should be remembered for the life they breathed into a dead franchise and all the hours of joy they gave Mets fans.

So it was fitting that once again, Doc and Darryl made news the same week. They appear to have come full circle. Gooden retired with a record of 194-112, and an ERA of 3.51. It is a far cry from what was projected, especially after a 24-4 Cy Young season at the age of 20. It took Gooden under five years to reach the 100-win plateau. Over the next 12, he only won 94. Back in `86, you would’ve thought he’d have at least 300 by now.

He may have lost his Hall of Fame career and his rising fastball, but he gained something much more important: freedom from addiction and the ability to retire at peace with himself.

On the other side, Darryl continues to make headlines for the wrong reasons. We can only pray that one day he finds himself as Doc did. It’s too late for him to salvage his career and retire like Gooden did, but it’s not too late for him to save himself.

Here’s to hoping he does.