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Gooden jailed on violation of probation

Ex-pitcher Dwight Gooden is accused of violating his probation.

By STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
Published March 14, 2006

TAMPA - Former baseball star Dwight Gooden, on probation since November and recently described as someone who's "turned the corner" on his drug problems, was back in the Hillsborough County jail Tuesday.

The charge: violating the terms of his probation by using illegal drugs, an official with the Corrections Department said.

On Tuesday he met with a probation officer and admitted using cocaine, according to Jo Ellyn Rackleff, a spokeswoman for the Corrections Department.

"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 jail, she 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," she said.

Gooden, 41, pleaded guilty in November to reckless driving, opposing a police officer without violence, and felony fleeing and eluding a law officer.

Gooden racked up the charges after he drove off on the night of Aug. 22, 2004, after a police officer stopped him for driving erratically near Howard Avenue and Cleveland Street in South Tampa. The officer said Gooden's breath smelled of alcohol.

Hillsborough Circuit Judge William Fuente sentenced Gooden to three years of probation and 100 hours of community service. He was also ordered to speak to schools and Little League baseball groups about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, submit to random drug and alcohol testing at least three times a week, and stay out of nightclubs and bars until his probation ends.

Gooden was the 1984 Rookie of the Year and 1985 NL Cy Young Award winner while with 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 today, Bondi said.

An after-hours call to Peter Hobson, who has represented Gooden in the past, was not returned.

[Last modified March 14, 2006, 22:52:02]