'I have no excuse’: Ex-Yankees, Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden apologizes for 2nd arrest in 2 months | ‘I really don’t know who I am’

Dwight Gooden mugshot

Former New York Mets and New York Yankees pitcher Dwight Gooden was arrested on Monday, July 22, 2019 (7/22/19) in Newark, N.J. for DUI.

Former New York Yankees and New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden apologized Wednesday, following his arrest Monday night for DUI. His apology came in the form of a text message to Newsday.

“I just like to thank everyone for their support in this horrible struggle,” Gooden wrote. "My apologies to everyone I let down or disappointed. I deserve everything that’s being written/talked about me ...

“I have no excuse for my action so I am going away for a while to try and save my life. I really don't know who I am right now and definitely don't trust myself.

“This is the worst I’ve ever been through all my struggles. But I am going to keep fighting no matter how embarrassing, shameful or selfish I am feeling."

Gooden was observed Monday driving the wrong way on a one-way street in Newark at approximately 11:10 p.m., according to a press release from the Newark Department of Public Safety.

Gooden faces a charge of driving under the influence, according to a press release from the Newark Department of Public Safety.

Gooden is due in Newark Municipal Court on July 30, 2019, at 8:30 a.m. EDT, according to court records.

Monday night’s arrest comes almost two weeks after it was reported Gooden was arrested for cocaine possession in a DUI bust in June.

On June 7 in Holmdel, the 54-year-old former All-Star was cited for third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia and being under the influence of a controlled substance, according to a complaint from the incident. He is scheduled to appear in Monmouth County Superior Court on those charges on September 5th.

This is not the first time Gooden has struggled with drugs and alcohol. As a player, he was suspended for the entire 1995 season due to a failed drug test and he has been arrested multiple times in relation to drug-related issues in the past.

Gooden won the National League Cy Young Award in 1985 after leading the MLB in wins (24), ERA (1.53) and strikeouts (268), claiming the pitchers’ Triple Crown. The four-time All-Star won three World Series titles as a member of two different teams - the Mets (1986) and the Yankees (1996 and 2000).


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The New York Mets Hall of Fame inductee posted a 194-112 record during his 16 seasons in the majors. He had an ERA of 3.51 and 2,293 strikeouts.

Along with the Yankees and Mets, Gooden played for the Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Gooden also threw a no-hitter on May 14, 1996 when the Yankees beat the Seattle Mariners, 2-0.

(NJ Advance Media’s Brian Fonseca and Mike Kaye contributed to this report.)

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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