Doc Gooden could not talk much Friday afternoon. He was enjoying valuable time in Orlando Florida with his grandchildren. The 1995 Cy Young Award winner with the Mets could not comment about a Thursday virtual hearing before a Superior Court judge.
Basically, Gooden was placed on probation for a year stemming from a June 2019 drug offense. This was not leniency imposed on a New York sports icon, and perhaps some would say the name of Dwight Gooden provided an easy verdict.
Think otherwise about leniency in this latest and hopefully last time the Mets Hall of Famer hears from a judge. Friday, Gooden said to me what he told the judge. He is not allowed to comment on the particulars of the case.
The words from Gooden, as he said to Superior Court Judge Vincent N. Falcetano, “This has saved my life.”
The demon has been drug and alcohol abuse. That night on the Garden State Parkway, Gooden was driving and law enforcement pulled him out of his car.
The one-year probation includes requirements to continue drug treatment and await discharge. That is all on record. Gooden will continue his participation in Narcotics and Alcoholics Anonymous. HIs drivers license is suspended for two years.
Falcetano said to Gooden, “Please don’t violate probation.”
So for now, this latest chapter and turmoil for Dwight Gooden has come to a close. He was meeting and greeting fans the past few months and there was a concern about the inevitable with possible implications of some hard time.
Based on previous incidents with drug and alcohol abuse,. Doc Gooden, who could throw a fastball better than all the others in his era, was on a continued decline.
His attorney, Francis Giantomasi has seen a difference with his client after the incident in 2019. I have also seen the difference. I have known him since his debut with the Mets and covered those epic outings on the mound at Shea Stadium.
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Then last year, when Gooden had a setback, I reached out. He was in a different zone. He could not go over the particulars. He did say, “I had a relapse. I am sorry and getting help.”
He assured Mets fans it was a setback that would go away. The demons that haunted him would go away. And for the past year, Doc Gooden remained clean. He followed the guidance of others who never left his side.
Doc greeted the media and friends at Citi Field in the press dining room. He was a part of the inaugural NY Mets Alumni program and one of the good will ambassadors. In the dugout and on the field at pre game, nothing was wrong.
Around people in baseball it was Doc talking baseball. It was them talking to Doc about the career. It was talking about how pitchers in his era are different from today.
He sat behind home plate at Citi Field and observed the fastball of Jacob deGrom. He analyzed every pitch. He told me, “Jake will be that three-time Cy Young Award winner.” Last year, Gooden said Jake would win his second consecutive.
But It could have been different Thursday. It was a game changer for Doc Gooden and so similar to the way he adapted to striking out a record number of opposing hitters during his All-Star career with the Mets.
So, as Gooden moves on and follows the legal protocols, there is a challenge to make a difference.
The game changer is going about the business of continuing to be a good dad and granddad. Doc has always been family oriented and that will never change. He will always be about baseball and is very astute when it comes to the game.
Believe me, I have seen Doc Gooden teach the craft of pitching at clinics for baseball groups over the past few years in the New York City and tri state area.
And he is loyal to the Mets. The fans, always he said, were also a part of his extended family. Time and time again, he said Mets fans know baseball and were always in his corner.
But addictions, good or bad, are a part of life to many. The best addiction is the game of baseball and for Doc Gooden that has always been good.
Gooden tweeted Friday, “This date 35 years ago my teammates and fans helped make it possible for me to win the Triple Crown and Cy Young Award. Thanks again love you guys.”
He intends to continue being a part of the Mets family under new owner Steve Cohen. He will be welcomed.
