Doc has relapsed. 
Strawberry worried about 'junkie-addict' Gooden
Darryl Strawberry on Dwight Gooden: 'Have to try something before he's dead'
Darryl Strawberry is trying to save 1986 New York Mets teammate Dwight Gooden before it's too late.
Strawberry believes Gooden has relapsed into the drug use that derailed his playing career.
New York's Daily News about Gooden. "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."
Gooden, after Strawberry and others expressed concern for him following his no-show at last week's event, sent a text to the Daily News that read: "I am fine, just finishing up some minor health issues."
Dwight Gooden Jr. issued a statement about his father's health to the Daily News on Sunday night that read, in part: "This has been a very hard year for our entire family. With our Grandmothers diminishing health and her passing last month, the stress and sadness that this brought us has been unthinkable. She was the leader of our family and things will never be the same without her. Between this and our father's work schedule he has been under an extraordinary amount of stress, pressure and above all sadness. He has been planning on taking a break from the spotlight to rest and regroup and address his health. We will be pushing this respite up. We, as a family, are currently planning his best course of action and thank you all for your concern, messages and prayers."
"Doc & Darryl," which debuted on ESPN last month, featured the two talking in depth about their rise to stardom as the Mets won the 1986 World Series, and then their downward spirals as each battled addictions.
The two have been linked since they first entered the majors.
Both were selected by the Mets in the first round of their respective drafts -- Strawberry No.1 overall in 1980 and Gooden fifth overall in 1982. Strawberry won Rookie of the Year honors in 1983 and was followed by Gooden in 1984. Gooden set the major league rookie record with 276 strikeouts.
Strawberry still holds the Mets' record for home runs with 252. He also ranks in the franchise's top five in RBIs, runs scored, slugging percentage and stolen bases.
Gooden ranks second in Mets history to Tom Seaver with 157 wins and 1,875 strikeouts, and he is the Mets' all-time leader in win percentage and fewest home runs allowed per nine innings.
Despite all their on-field success, each battled off-the-field demons, and while Strawberry in recent years has seemingly cleaned up his act, Gooden apparently is still struggling.
"I have to try something before he's dead," Strawberry told the Daily News.
Strawberry worried about 'junkie-addict' Gooden
Darryl Strawberry on Dwight Gooden: 'Have to try something before he's dead'
Darryl Strawberry is trying to save 1986 New York Mets teammate Dwight Gooden before it's too late.
Strawberry believes Gooden has relapsed into the drug use that derailed his playing career.
New York's Daily News about Gooden. "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."
Gooden, after Strawberry and others expressed concern for him following his no-show at last week's event, sent a text to the Daily News that read: "I am fine, just finishing up some minor health issues."
Dwight Gooden Jr. issued a statement about his father's health to the Daily News on Sunday night that read, in part: "This has been a very hard year for our entire family. With our Grandmothers diminishing health and her passing last month, the stress and sadness that this brought us has been unthinkable. She was the leader of our family and things will never be the same without her. Between this and our father's work schedule he has been under an extraordinary amount of stress, pressure and above all sadness. He has been planning on taking a break from the spotlight to rest and regroup and address his health. We will be pushing this respite up. We, as a family, are currently planning his best course of action and thank you all for your concern, messages and prayers."
"Doc & Darryl," which debuted on ESPN last month, featured the two talking in depth about their rise to stardom as the Mets won the 1986 World Series, and then their downward spirals as each battled addictions.
The two have been linked since they first entered the majors.
Both were selected by the Mets in the first round of their respective drafts -- Strawberry No.1 overall in 1980 and Gooden fifth overall in 1982. Strawberry won Rookie of the Year honors in 1983 and was followed by Gooden in 1984. Gooden set the major league rookie record with 276 strikeouts.
Strawberry still holds the Mets' record for home runs with 252. He also ranks in the franchise's top five in RBIs, runs scored, slugging percentage and stolen bases.
Gooden ranks second in Mets history to Tom Seaver with 157 wins and 1,875 strikeouts, and he is the Mets' all-time leader in win percentage and fewest home runs allowed per nine innings.
Despite all their on-field success, each battled off-the-field demons, and while Strawberry in recent years has seemingly cleaned up his act, Gooden apparently is still struggling.
"I have to try something before he's dead," Strawberry told the Daily News.
