Between the Seams: "Doc" Gooden chooses prison over rehab

TAMPA, Fla. — Unable to shake the drug demons that derailed his once-dazzling career, Dwight "Doc" Gooden made a startling decision Wednesday: He'd rather go to jail than face temptation on the streets.

The former Mets and Yankees pitching great admitted in a Hillsborough County courthouse that he hasn't beat cocaine after a two-decade public struggle.

Then, he picked prison instead of going back to rehab and staying on probation, where the threat of a 5-year jail sentence loomed for any slipup.

"I have a problem with cocaine, sir," Gooden said before state Circuit Judge Daniel Perry. "I had a cocaine relapse."

It marked the first significant jail time and latest fall from grace for Gooden, 41, who was the toast of New York in the 1980s as a fireballing Mets phenom.

But as the team celebrates the 20th anniversary of the storied 1986 World Series championship season, the washed-up right-hander will be doing time.

"He had family support, he had children, he had a good job," Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi said outside the courtroom. "And he's lost it all to addiction."

She added, "He let many people down, but the most important person was himself."

Looking weathered and skinny in an orange prison jumpsuit, the handcuffed 1984 Rookie of the Year squirmed as Perry grilled him on why he drove to nearby St. Petersburg last month — in violation of probation.

"I went there to get the drugs," said Gooden, whose 24-4 record in 1985 made him the youngest winner of the Cy Young Award.

Gooden, who has been in and out of rehab and jail, tested positive for cocaine after the St. Petersburg visit.

Gooden had been serving three years' probation for drunkenly speeding away from a cop during a traffic stop last August. He had been ordered to undergo at least three drug tests a week and stay away from bars, drugs and booze.

As Gooden was fingerprinted and taken to jail, his mother, Ella Mae, sister Betty Jones — mother of Yankees slugger Gary Sheffield — and son Dwight Jr. sobbed.

In February, the ex-athlete's 20-year-old namesake son wrapped up his own prison stint for cocaine possession.

"I don't even want to think about him in jail," said the son, wiping away tears outside the courtroom.

Gooden will receive credit for 93 days of his sentence, for time already served in jail and rehab. He likely will spend about eight months in prison, said his attorney, Peter Hobson.

After his release, Gooden's task will be to once again steer clear of drugs and alcohol, Hobson said.

"He understands what he needs to do," Hobson said. "He's quite confident that once he's released, he will be able to return to sobriety."

Gooden first broke fans' hearts in 1987, when he tested positive for cocaine and went into rehab.