When ex-Mets star Doc Gooden candidly reflected on his hedonistic habits that nearly took his life

Former New York Mets star Doc Gooden was a legendary MLB player and a World Series champion. Unfortunately, Gooden's illustrious playing career was marred by his cocaine and alcohol addiction.

Gooden once spoke openly about his 'morbid' drug addiction that affected his career. Reflecting on the hedonistic habits that nearly took his life, Gooden said:

“Looking back, honestly, I’m surprised I’m not dead,” Gooden told NJ.com in 2020. “The things I did to myself, people have died doing a lot less.”

Initially, Gooden denied using cocaine. MLB player Darryl Strawberry, who also battled drug addiction, spoke about Gooden. After years of drug and alcohol abuse, Strawberry has maintained his sobriety for more than ten years. He claimed that Gooden was in a state of denial as a result of his cocaine addiction.

"He's a complete junkie-addict. 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 made his MLB debut in 1984.

Doc Gooden was suspended by MLB

In the 1994 season, Gooden tested positive for cocaine use and was suspended for 60 days.

Florida Marlins v New York Mets

He was once again suspended for the 1995 season after testing positive for drugs while serving a prior suspension.

By the way, if you're wondering how Dwight Gooden ended up arrested again, he talked openly about his never-ending battle with addiction a few years ago with @RealMichaelKay - Gary Parrish

When Gooden was a player for the New York Yankees, he retired in 2001. Yet, his drug problems lasted long after he retired from baseball, resulting in numerous arrests.