Dwight Gooden, who led the major leagues...

Dwight Gooden, who led the major leagues in victories, strikeouts and earned-run average in 1985, was voted the Associated Press’ 1985 Male Athlete of the Year, winning over Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton, 53 votes to 39. Race car driver Bill Elliott was third with 25 votes, followed by Cincinnati Reds Manager Pete Rose with 23 and Laker center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with 20.