New York Mets

Doc Gooden ends friendship with Darryl Strawberry after drug accusations

Published Nov. 15, 2016 3:04 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

Lindsey Foltin

Doc Gooden says he is ending his relationship with Darryl Strawberry after his former teammate went public with concerns that Gooden has lapsed back into a serious cocaine problem.

Strawberry recently told multiple media outlets he's worried that Gooden is about to lose his battle with addiction and has attempted to help his friend before it's too late.

"He's a complete junkie-addict," Strawberry said (via the New York Daily News). "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."

While Gooden admits he's dealing with health problems, he denies Strawberry's claim that it's drug abuse.

"I have some health issues, but drugs is not one of them," Gooden told the New York Post. He went on to say that he was extremely hurt by Strawberry's public comments and that he wishes his concerns were kept between the two of them.

"I am an addict, but when you have someone like Darryl, who you are trying to establish a relationship with … when it's somebody you think is your friend, if he felt like that, come to me," Gooden told The Post.

While Gooden said he's willing to forgive Strawberry for things that have happened in the past, he feels that his recent comments crossed the line.

"I forgave him for a lot of stuff. He was hitting on my wife when I was married to her. I forgave him for all that stuff. It is what it is.

"That really was hitting below the belt," Gooden said of Strawberry's recent public declarations. "Unfortunately I have to forgive him, but I don't have to deal with him. So the relationship between Doc and Darryl is completely over. Everyone has a line they draw. This has been going on since '84 -- taking shots and then deny it."

Gooden, who appeared extremely fragile in a photo taken by The Daily News outside of his New Jersey apartment on Monday, said that he will address his health situation in a written statement later this week.

His family released a statement of their own Sunday evening, which vaguely references the condition of his health.

"His problems have been well documented and publicized through the years. At this time our only concern is his health and that he takes care of himself," Gooden's oldest son, Dwight Jr., said in a statement.

"With our Grandmothers diminishing health and her passing last month, the stress and sadness that this brought us has been unthinkable. … 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."

share

Get more from New York Mets Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

New York Mets

Major League Baseball