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Gooden to be treated for substance abuse

After turning himself in Thursday, the former star pitcher has his bond revoked and will go into rehab.

By JENNIFER LIBERTO
Published August 27, 2005

TAMPA - Doc is behind bars.

And he's going to stay there for a while - at least until a hospital bed becomes available at drug and alcohol rehabilitation center.

Dwight Eugene Gooden, 41, a former Yankees and Devil Rays pitcher, had his bail revoked Friday morning. Gooden stood silent and shackled with his mother and a gaggle of attorneys, finally showing his face after three days on the run from authorities.

If a bed becomes available in a substance abuse hospital, Gooden will be committed to an undisclosed facility and would be electronically monitored, Judge Nick Nazaretian said.

"I again commend you for seeking help," Nazaretian said. "That's a sign you want to better yourself."

Gooden is charged with driving under the influence, eluding police and obstructing an officer without violence. He was already out on bail from an unrelated domestic violence charge, which Gooden now plans to plead guilty to, his attorneys said Friday.

Gooden, who went by the nickname "Doc" since his youth, had been on the run from law enforcement since early Monday, when a Tampa police officer pulled him over on Cleveland Street.

The former pitcher's BMW reportedly had been weaving out of his lane. When the officer asked Gooden to complete a field sobriety test, he refused and drove off.

He turned himself into law enforcement on Thursday afternoon, while managing to elude media cameras that have been stalking the Orient Road Jail for days.

"He's on the first step to recovery," said Gooden's Tampa attorney, Peter Hobson, who refused to comment on where Gooden had spent his three days on the run.

Gooden spent a 17-year career with the New York Mets, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Houston Astros, signing contracts worth $35-million. But drugs and injuries undercut the Tampa native and one-time Hillsborough High School star athlete.

He was tossed out of baseball three different times for cocaine use.

Along with his recent arrests, Gooden remains mired in a bitter divorce battle with his ex-wife, Monica Gooden, much of which has centered on Gooden's dwindling finances.

In court on Friday, Gooden's face betrayed no emotion, while a neon orange jail jumpsuit engulfed his gaunt, 6-foot-4 frame. His weight has dropped 58 pounds, from 245 to 187 pounds, since he was booked into jail in March.

Gooden mumbled curt answers to questions and said little else.

When he stood before the judge, Gooden's mother, Ella Gooden, jumped up and stood next to him.

She squeezed his arm once. She and her daughter later declined to comment.

St. Petersburg lawyer Darryl Rouson, who had counseled former Yankees outfields Darryl Strawberry during Strawberry's days in court, said he was there to support Gooden and his family.

Gooden's attorney said the family would like privacy from the media and he pledged that Gooden will make good on pledges to get help.

"The jewel will return to the Gooden house," Hobson said.

Jennifer Liberto can be reached at 813 226-3403 or liberto@sptimes.com

[Last modified August 27, 2005, 01:13:13]