What a shame!
When this fella's curveball was on, God couldn't hit him. Loved watching him throw that blistering fastball! Strawberry and Gooden were the MEN, at one time.
Gooden Arrested After Admitting Cocaine Use
Drug Use Violates Terms of Former Big League Star's Probation
TAMPA, Fla. (March 14) - Former baseball star Dwight Gooden was arrested Tuesday on charges of violating the terms of his probation.
The 41-year-old pleaded guilty in November to speeding away from police after a DUI traffic stop in August 2005 and was sentenced to three years probation. On Tuesday he went to a regular meeting with a probation officer, where he admitted to using cocaine, according to Jo Ellyn Rackleff, a spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections.
"He went to his regular meeting with his probation officer, admitted to the officer that he had used cocaine. She did a drug screen, and he tested positive for cocaine," Rackleff said.
Gooden was then arrested and taken to the Hillsborough County Jail, Rackleff said. He is being held without bond, according to Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi.
"We will be requesting that he remain in jail on no bond because he violated probation," Bondi said.
Gooden was voted the 1984 NL Rookie of the Year and 1985 NL Cy Young Award while pitching for the New York Mets. He went 194-112 with a 3.51 ERA before retiring in 2001. He also pitched for the Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Gooden will make his first appearance in court Wednesday, Bondi said.
An after-hours call to Peter Hobson, who has represented Gooden in the past, was not immediately returned.
03/14/06 18:14 EST
