stlrocker
08-26-2005, 04:40 AM
Dwight Gooden spent the night in county jail after finally surrendering to police, three days after the former baseball star fled from authorities during a DUI traffic stop.
Gooden, who has a history of substance abuse problems, was held without bond Thursday night after he turned himself in, police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said. Gooden was scheduled to appear in court Friday morning for a hearing to revoke his bond on a March domestic violence charge.
The former All-Star pitcher's surrender came forward after his attorney, Peter Hobson, contacted the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office and made arrangements, sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said. Hobson was contacted by police the day before about setting up a possible surrender.
"We're relieved that he has come forward, and this may be the first step toward him getting the help he needs," McElroy said.
He had been missing since early Monday, when an officer pulled over his 2004 BMW near downtown Tampa on suspicion of drunken driving. Gooden twice refused to get out of the car for a field sobriety test, then drove away suddenly, police said.
Gooden was booked on a felony charge of fleeing police, and misdemeanor charges of DUI and resisting arrest without violence.
Hobson did not return a call seeking comment.
The 1984 Rookie of the Year and 1985 NL Cy Young Award winner while with the New York Mets went 194-112 with a 3.51 ERA before retiring in 2001. He also pitched for the Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
"He needs to get his life in order," Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella said before Thursday's game against Cleveland. "He's a good young man. He just needs to get his priorities straight. He's got a long life ahead of him and a lot of people that care about him. The only problem is he's got to help himself."
Gooden was arrested by Tampa police in 2002 on a drunken driving charge, but later pleaded guilty to reckless driving and received a year probation. He was arrested in March and charged with hitting his live-in girlfriend in the face during an argument.
During his playing days, Gooden was suspended for 60 days in 1994 for testing positive for cocaine while with the Mets. He tested positive for cocaine again while on suspension and was sidelined for the 1995 season.
He recently worked for the Yankees as a special adviser but quit in April.
Rock On,
:yeah: :gulp: :prtytme:
Gooden, who has a history of substance abuse problems, was held without bond Thursday night after he turned himself in, police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said. Gooden was scheduled to appear in court Friday morning for a hearing to revoke his bond on a March domestic violence charge.
The former All-Star pitcher's surrender came forward after his attorney, Peter Hobson, contacted the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office and made arrangements, sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said. Hobson was contacted by police the day before about setting up a possible surrender.
"We're relieved that he has come forward, and this may be the first step toward him getting the help he needs," McElroy said.
He had been missing since early Monday, when an officer pulled over his 2004 BMW near downtown Tampa on suspicion of drunken driving. Gooden twice refused to get out of the car for a field sobriety test, then drove away suddenly, police said.
Gooden was booked on a felony charge of fleeing police, and misdemeanor charges of DUI and resisting arrest without violence.
Hobson did not return a call seeking comment.
The 1984 Rookie of the Year and 1985 NL Cy Young Award winner while with the New York Mets went 194-112 with a 3.51 ERA before retiring in 2001. He also pitched for the Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
"He needs to get his life in order," Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella said before Thursday's game against Cleveland. "He's a good young man. He just needs to get his priorities straight. He's got a long life ahead of him and a lot of people that care about him. The only problem is he's got to help himself."
Gooden was arrested by Tampa police in 2002 on a drunken driving charge, but later pleaded guilty to reckless driving and received a year probation. He was arrested in March and charged with hitting his live-in girlfriend in the face during an argument.
During his playing days, Gooden was suspended for 60 days in 1994 for testing positive for cocaine while with the Mets. He tested positive for cocaine again while on suspension and was sidelined for the 1995 season.
He recently worked for the Yankees as a special adviser but quit in April.
Rock On,
:yeah: :gulp: :prtytme: