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After a two-day divorce hearing in Tampa, retired baseball pitcher Dwight Gooden this week was ordered to pay alimony and support for his four children totaling about $6,000 a month. Gooden, who once earned more than $5-million a year, now makes an annual salary of $100,000 as an assistant to New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. The following are excerpts from the hearing:
On why he can't take time to boost his income by participating in more autograph and memorabilia shows:
Gooden: "I can be fired any day ... I once had plans to do something with my kids on the weekend and was called in to work. I told Mr. Steinbrenner I had plans with my kids and he said, "Well, you work for me. You either work for me or you spend time with your kids.' "
On his ambition to become a major league coach:
Attorney: "Is it a possibility that you are in line to replace Yankees pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre?" Gooden: "Yes sir."
Attorney: "The problem is, he just won't retire, will he?"
Gooden: "No sir. (laughs)"
On a report in the New York Post that he bought an impressive engagement ring for girlfriend Monique Moore, a Northwest Airlines flight attendant:
Attorney: "What sort of gifts did you buy for your girlfriend?"
Gooden: "Jewelry, clothing."
Attorney: "Was it more than $10,000 worth?"
Gooden: "Could be."
Attorney: "Did you purchase her an engagement ring? There was a story about that in the Post."
Gooden: "That story's not true. She moved out. We're not together anymore."
On his failure to invest much of the $35-million he earned as a player:
Attorney: "Do you know if there was money put into a 401(k) while you were still pitching?"
Gooden: "No, there wasn't. Unfortunately, I didn't pay much attention to that kind of thing back then."