Darryl Strawberry says Dwight Gooden needs serious help with addiction

Former New York Mets outfielder says ex-teammate Dwight Gooden needs serious help with his addiction problem.

Addiction is no joke. Unfortunately for former New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden, he has been fighting it for the past couple of decades.

During his playing days, he was suspended due to drug and alcohol abuse issues and even missed the entire 1995 season because of a failed drug test. He was a cocaine and alcohol addict and remained as such even after his playing days were over.

Gooden played most of his career with the Mets and that’s when he had a majority of his success, winning a Cy Young Award, World Series and being named to four All-Star teams. He was one of the better pitchers during the 1980s and became a staple of the Mets’ organization and is still loved today.

The pitching legend went on to play for the Yankees, Indians, Astros and Devil Rays, compiling a career 194-112 record with a 3.51 ERA and over 2,200 strikeouts.

Unfortunately, he is being plagued by what has gotten him in trouble in the past, according to former teammate Darryl Strawberry who was a good friend of his during his time with the Mets and continues to be close with Gooden to this day.

The rest of Rubin’s tweet reads:

"“He’s a complete junkie-addict. I’ve been trying behind the scenes to talk to him and get him to go for help, but he won’t listen. He thinks he can manipulate and BS his way through everything. His son called me to beg me to help his dad before he dies. … The condition Doc is in, it’s bad, it’s horrible. It’s like cocaine poison. I feel like I’ve got to get it out there because nobody else is doing anything to help him, and it might be the only way to stop him.”"

This is just a sad development in the 51-year-old former Cy Young winner. He has been in trouble with the law multiple times due to drug abuse, but it seems like he’s getting worse by the day, according to Strawberry.

Help is a tough thing to ask for when you don’t believe you have a problem, and that’s the exact situation Gooden is going through. Let’s hope he asks for help before it’s too late.