irishkb
02-20-2002, 02:41 PM
TAMPA, Fla. -- Dwight Gooden was arrested on drunken driving charges and released
from jail Wednesday.
Police said the 37-year-old retired
pitcher was charged with
intoxication, having an open
container of alcohol in his vehicle
and driving while his license was
suspended. He was released from
Hillsborough County Jail on $500
bond.
"The first thing I do is worry," said
David Cone, Gooden's teammate
with the New York Mets and Yankees. "I'm worried about a friend. I certainly
support Doc. I'm always going to be behind him."
Gooden declined comment as he left the jail, telling reporters he would release a
statement in coming days.
Gooden's attorney, Joseph Ficarrotta, did not immediately return calls for
comment. Ficarrotta also represents Gooden's friend, troubled former baseball star
Darryl Strawberry.
Gooden, who was involved in a scuffle with Tampa Police after a traffic stop in
1986, was cooperative when arrested this time, Tampa Police spokesman Joe
Durkin said.
Officers noticed Gooden's black 2002 Cadillac Escalade weaving about 11:35
p.m. Tuesday, according to the police report. He refused to take breath or urine
tests, police said.
Gooden, alone in the car, was stopped after an officer transporting a prisoner on
the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway spotted him swerving, Durkin said. Gooden
wasn't speeding.
When officers stopped him, they spotted an open bottle of Michelob Light in the
car. Gooden told the officers he was on his way to pick up his son.
Gooden also was driving with a suspended license because he had not paid a traffic
fine. Gooden didn't know he wasn't supposed to be driving, Durkin said.
Gooden retired from the New York Yankees in May, ending his major league
career with a 194-112 record and a 3.51 ERA, striking out 2,293 in 2,800 2/3
innings.
He played 11 seasons with the New York Mets -- becoming the youngest Cy
Young Award winner in 1985 at age 20 and pitching for a World Series
championship team a year later.
In June 1994, Gooden was suspended for 60 days for testing positive for cocaine.
He tested positive for cocaine again while on suspension and was sidelined for the
1995 season.
"Anytime a friend has any kind of trouble, you're worried," Yankees reliever Mike
Stanton said. "The No. 1 concern is him and his family's well being. He's been
doing good. We're just going to do whatever we can to support him."
Gooden joined the Yankees in 1996, and in two seasons went 20-12 with a 4.58
ERA. He pitched a no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners on May 14, 1996.
Gooden, a Tampa native, began serving as an assistant to Yankees owner George
Steinbrenner last year. Based at the team's minor league complex in Tampa,
Gooden has worked with minor league pitchers, spoken to young players about
off-the-field issues and offered advice on trades and free agents.
In a 1995 interview, Gooden offered this assessment of Tampa: "My problems
have never been here in St. Pete. I was always getting into trouble in Tampa. ... If I
go to Tampa during the day, I'm fine. But in Tampa after the sun goes down, it's
like I'm a vampire."
On Tuesday, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said Strawberry will be offered
from jail Wednesday.
Police said the 37-year-old retired
pitcher was charged with
intoxication, having an open
container of alcohol in his vehicle
and driving while his license was
suspended. He was released from
Hillsborough County Jail on $500
bond.
"The first thing I do is worry," said
David Cone, Gooden's teammate
with the New York Mets and Yankees. "I'm worried about a friend. I certainly
support Doc. I'm always going to be behind him."
Gooden declined comment as he left the jail, telling reporters he would release a
statement in coming days.
Gooden's attorney, Joseph Ficarrotta, did not immediately return calls for
comment. Ficarrotta also represents Gooden's friend, troubled former baseball star
Darryl Strawberry.
Gooden, who was involved in a scuffle with Tampa Police after a traffic stop in
1986, was cooperative when arrested this time, Tampa Police spokesman Joe
Durkin said.
Officers noticed Gooden's black 2002 Cadillac Escalade weaving about 11:35
p.m. Tuesday, according to the police report. He refused to take breath or urine
tests, police said.
Gooden, alone in the car, was stopped after an officer transporting a prisoner on
the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway spotted him swerving, Durkin said. Gooden
wasn't speeding.
When officers stopped him, they spotted an open bottle of Michelob Light in the
car. Gooden told the officers he was on his way to pick up his son.
Gooden also was driving with a suspended license because he had not paid a traffic
fine. Gooden didn't know he wasn't supposed to be driving, Durkin said.
Gooden retired from the New York Yankees in May, ending his major league
career with a 194-112 record and a 3.51 ERA, striking out 2,293 in 2,800 2/3
innings.
He played 11 seasons with the New York Mets -- becoming the youngest Cy
Young Award winner in 1985 at age 20 and pitching for a World Series
championship team a year later.
In June 1994, Gooden was suspended for 60 days for testing positive for cocaine.
He tested positive for cocaine again while on suspension and was sidelined for the
1995 season.
"Anytime a friend has any kind of trouble, you're worried," Yankees reliever Mike
Stanton said. "The No. 1 concern is him and his family's well being. He's been
doing good. We're just going to do whatever we can to support him."
Gooden joined the Yankees in 1996, and in two seasons went 20-12 with a 4.58
ERA. He pitched a no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners on May 14, 1996.
Gooden, a Tampa native, began serving as an assistant to Yankees owner George
Steinbrenner last year. Based at the team's minor league complex in Tampa,
Gooden has worked with minor league pitchers, spoken to young players about
off-the-field issues and offered advice on trades and free agents.
In a 1995 interview, Gooden offered this assessment of Tampa: "My problems
have never been here in St. Pete. I was always getting into trouble in Tampa. ... If I
go to Tampa during the day, I'm fine. But in Tampa after the sun goes down, it's
like I'm a vampire."
On Tuesday, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said Strawberry will be offered