Deadspin has a press release from the Franklin Lakes, New Jersey police department that shows Gooden being placed under arrest on Tuesday morning for a variety of offenses after an auto accident. The highlights include driving while under the influence of drugs, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.
Making matters worse, it seems that there was a minor in the car at the time of the two-vehicle crash. It wasn't clear whose child it was, but the boy or girl's presence in the car adds endangering the welfare of a child and DWI with a child passenger to the other charges against Gooden, which should serve as a pair of pretty good reasons not to get behind the wheel loaded at 9 a.m. on a Tuesday morning. Authorities didn't say what drug they believe Gooden was on.
The 45-year-old former Mets and Yankees pitcher was released on his own recognizance pending a municipal court hearing. It wasn't immediately clear whether he had an attorney.
Doc's history of run-ins with the law and issues with drugs and alcohol are well known to anyone who has followed baseball over the last 25 years. He spent a good chunk of 2006 in prison for showing up to a meeting with his probation officer with cocaine in his system.
The rumors of Gooden's rebirth were fueled by the Mets' request to have him serve as a special advisor to the team during Spring Training, an invitation he turned down because his wife was pregnant with a child.
The team hoped he could teach a few lessons about having the baseball world in the palm of your hand and losing it all because of bad decisions.
We'll see if there's a repeat of that invitation next year because, it certainly seems like Gooden isn't done providing teachable moments.
Josh Alper is a writer living in New York City and is a contributor to FanHouse।com and ProFootballTalk.com in addition to his duties for NBCNewYork.com.
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