Former MLB pitcher Dwight Gooden, best known for his 11-year tenure with the New York Mets (with whom he won a World Series title in 1986), was sentenced to a year of probation stemming from a June 2019 arrest for cocaine possession. Gooden entered a guilty plea last August, agreeing to complete a drug rehab program in order to avoid jail time.
Gooden, whose 157 victories with the Mets rank second in franchise history, has struggled with substance abuse for much of his adult life, weathering multiple arrests and MLB suspensions as a result of his drug habit. A four-time major-league All-Star and 2010 Mets Hall of Fame inductee, the 55-year-old appeared in court virtually Thursday for his sentencing. Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Vincent Falcetano determined Gooden had made substantial progress in his recovery efforts, which factored into his lighter sentencing. Gooden had previously spent seven months behind bars in 2006 for violating terms of his probation.
“I understand that my recovery has to come first,” said Gooden Thursday in comments relayed by the Associated Press. “This has saved my life.”
The former ace was arrested in Holmdel, New Jersey last year after police pulled him over for failing to maintain a lane and driving under the speed limit. In searching Gooden’s vehicle, police on the scene discovered cocaine contained in two zip-lock bags, prompting his arrest for possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence. Those charges carried a maximum prison sentence of five years.
Gooden, who debuted in the majors at 19, followed up his 1984 Rookie of the Year with a sophomore campaign for the ages, claiming the pitching Triple Crown (NL leader in ERA, strikeouts and wins) en route to a National League Cy Young Award. For his career, Doc compiled 194 wins, 2,293 strikeouts and a 3.51 ERA across 2,800 2/3 MLB innings for the Mets, Yankees, Indians, Astros and Rays.
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